2022 Ford Everest might be surprisingly good

If you are a pickup truck fan you would have known the Ford Everest. Yes, the Everest is NOT a pickup truck, but it is based on the popular Ford Ranger pickup truck and has always been sold side by side in ASEAN markets.

Designed as a vehicle for Asian buyers, the Everest first arrived as a utilitarian vehicle with 3 rows of seats and some luggage space included. It carried all the 4x4 drivetrain that was used in the Ford Ranger and it competed against the Toyota Fortuner which was the segment leader.

The very first Everest was rather boxy and uninteresting, but it somehow managed to get sales numbers and till today you can see a number of units running well.

Then the second-generation Ranger was launched and soon after the second-generation Everest arrived in May 2016 with RM 198,888 price tag. Better equipped and with a much more inviting design, it was however not a good seller as its asking price was much more than the Toyota Fortuner which was priced at only RM 172,244. Even another immediate rival, the Isuzu mu-X, which is based on the D-Max, was more popular than the Everest.

This segment is very price sensitive and the Ford ASEAN team knew that. Then Ford ASEAN launched the Raptor pickup truck. The Raptor till today is a sales success and has changed the mindset of many truck buyers despite its premium RM 199,000 price tag.

Now, the arrival of the all-new Ford Everest is due. The third-generation version based on the latest Ford Ranger will be arriving later this year in Malaysia. Unveiled earlier this year carrying most of the sturdy handsome looks of the all-new Ranger pickup truck, this latest Everest has been given a more SUV-like cabin with a class-leading 4x4 off-road drivetrain.

Here below are some of the main features of this new Everest.

• Dashboard gets a large 10.1 to a larger 12-inch touchscreen.
• Ford’s latest SYNC 4A system is provided for a better in-cabin connectivity experience.

• There is a 360-degree split-view camera to make parking this large SUV easy in town and also in the rough.
• An updated range of engines and gearboxes to suit all possible customers' needs. You can choose from a 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel with 210 horsepower and a massive 500Nm of torque to a brand new 3.2L V6 Turbodiesel with 250 horsepower and 597 Nm of torque.
• This Everest truck is now 50 mm wider to give better highway stability and stance.
• Safety features have been upgraded with a new far-side airbag between the driver and front passenger for added rollover safety.
• Driver gets road edge detection to keep drivers from drifting along fast highways.
• There is a reverse brake assist that alerts against kids, pedestrians and cyclists as this is a larger vehicle now.
• Ford provides you with 21-inch alloy wheels with tri-paint.
• There is an exterior zone lighting system that is useful when you go camping and when you park in dimly lit areas.
• Lastly, it is a handsome looking vehicle with a built tough nose treatment and side profile.

The above-shared features should be enough to tickle your interest in meeting this all-new Everest and not put a booking fee for any of its rivals right now. Arriving before Christmas, the asking price will continue to be slightly higher than the rivals but it is now a premium contender with the rugged good looks of the 2022 Ranger.

Also read: Is Equator Sport ready to fit in Ford Malaysia lineup?