Ford Everest, Versatility and Space

The subcompact SUV has dominated the automotive sector for so long that we sometimes forget about the mid-size SUV. These vehicles are usually dual purpose, as they can be used for domestic driving, as well as off-road excursions.

The Everest has been on Ford’s production lot since 2003, and in our market was a direct competitor to the Toyota Fortuner. We owned the first-generation model at The Gleaner and while it was great on interior space,the handling needed a few tweaks. Now Ford has fixed that, with a second-generation vehicle that is balanced and dimensionally proportioned.

Why should you consider a mid-size SUV

Going off road

Firstly, this is a true seven seater, with a third row that can fit two adults and not two children like compact SUVs. About two years ago I put it to the ultimate test and took it up to Holywell, using the parochial road that is filled with stones and dirt. To make the challenge more interesting I also carried six passengers.

This is where these size vehicles really showcase their selling points; it’s a mixture between an SUV and an off-road vehicle. All the occupants were comfortable with multiple A/C vents, some placed untraditionally in the roof, which is an ingenious idea that I have only seen a few manufacturers incorporate in their designs, as a lot of heat comes from the roof of a vehicle.

For the first half of the journey I kept it in front-wheel-drive mode, then the terrain started to get challenging, so I switched to four-wheel drive. In the past, only true off-road vehicles could manage these types of conditions. Unlike compact SUVs, which are usually built on the chassis of cars, the Everest is built on a pick-up chassis, so it’s better suited to handle these terrains.

In need of space and versatility

Usually when people have a big family, they are either hauling people or things around, and they want some sense of privacy. For example, if someone is carrying a mountain bicycle or mini sofa, they might not want to put it on the roof of the vehicle or in the bed of a pickup. This can make it more easily accessible to thieves or the natural elements, like rain.

This is when the driver can decide to flatten the second and third row of seats to give it a boot space of 1796L, which is more than sufficient for the items mentioned above. The only additional thing I did was walk with a tarpaulin to cover the exposed areas, when carrying items.

Factors to consider before buying

The elephant in the room, pun intended, with a SUV like this is its size, as its maximum length is 4892mm, which won’t be able to fit into every spot easily and does take some navigation to move about in tight spaces. However, technology has come a far way in aiding this issue and Ford uses this advancement by adding reverse cameras and all-round sensors.

Even the best of drivers can appreciate these features, especially when parking while trying to avoid hitting another vehicle or pedestrian.

Size is also a factor where accidents are concerned, as many female drivers have expressed concerns at the fact that smaller vehicles are less likely to properly absorb impact in an accident.

Also, with a curb weight of 5373 lb it does take a lot of power to move around, and for that reason, I recommend getting vehicles of this size in diesel, especially if you live in town. The gas consumption will be lower than the petrol version and you will most likely get more torque to carry extra loads.

The truth is, mid-size SUVs are for a niche market, for example if you have a big family and make constant trips between town and country, this is the vehicle for you. It offers a sense of true versatility, which allows it to go almost anywhere and the space to carry multiple items.

Price of tested model: Everest 2021 JMD $10.540 million 3.2Litre 4WD

Price Option: Everest 2021 JMD $8.999 million RWD 2.2Litre

Engine: 3.2L Bi-Turbo Diesel

Torque: 470Nm at 1750-2500rpm

Transmission: 4WD, 6-speed Automatic

Kerb Weight: 5373 lbs

Fuel tank: 80 litres

Body Type: Mid-Size SUV

Competition: Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero, Isuzu MU-X, Nissan Patrol

Vehicle was provided courtesy of Kingston Industrial Garage Ltd, 923-6479, sales@kigjamaica.com