Latest news with #Wildtrak
Mail & Guardian
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Ford Everest Wildtrak: Brawny and powerful with a touch of luxury — but it's thirsty
Big and beautiful: The Ford Everest Wildtrak combines rugged and sporty elements to make it a very attractive car. In May 2023, when Ford released the next-generation Everest, it added a Wildtrak derivative to the Everest line-up for the first time. The Wildtrak was placed above the Sport and just below the Titanium variants. It was meant to capture the dynamic flair of the Wildtrak series that has been so popular in the Ranger bakkie over the years. The arrival of the Wildtrak variant also saw Ford give it some unique design features. The front is painted in a bolder grey and this is also applied to the bumper, which is exclusive to the Wildtrak. While this does add more dynamism to the styling of the vehicle, the C-clamp headlights, the raised roof rails and the side step still make it clear that this is a huge vehicle and not for the faint-hearted. In true Ford fashion, everything on the body of the vehicle feels solid. Visually, the Everest Wildtrak gives off exactly what Ford wants it to, and customers have the option of 20-inch alloy wheels or 18-inch all-terrain tyres, should they want to venture off-road often. The interior combines rugged, sporty and luxurious elements. The steering wheel, seats and gear lever maintain that solid, brawny feel but the centre console, the infotainment system, the dashboard with its soft-touch materials and the airconditioner vents get a touch of luxury. The Wildtrak gets contrasting yellow stitching on the dashboard, door trims, steering wheel, gear lever and on the seats, which adds to the sporty atmosphere of the interior. I especially love how Ford has integrated the 12-inch portrait infotainment screen into the cabin. On many vehicles, it protrudes, but Ford has stashed it neatly in the dashboard. Another really cool element is the hidden door handles which are positioned inside the armrest on the doors and need to be pressed to open them. This was especially helpful when travelling with my toddler — he could not find the handles, so there was no need for a child lock. The interior of the Ford Everest Wildtrak. Space will never be an issue with this vehicle. It is huge. Front and back passengers get a ton of head and legroom and there is a third row of seats, which provides sufficient room for children, but takes away from the large boot space. With its 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine that delivers 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque the Everest Wildtrak does not lack power. At times, I wished that the engine was slightly more refined, but then I realised that Ford does offer the Everest in a 2-litre bi-turbo with the XLT and Sport variants. While the drive is exceptional due to its all-wheel-drive capabilities (and there's no real wind noise), the engine is a touch noisy, but then again, it is a V6. Road imperfections are almost non-existent and the 10-speed automatic transmission gives the vehicle seamless gear changes with very little drag on the engine. One thing that impressed me is that, although this vehicle thrives on its rugged nature, it doesn't feel particularly bulky. Because you sit in such an elevated position, you always know that you are driving a huge vehicle, and the engine noise will remind you of that too, but the drive itself is extremely smooth and comfortable. Its large torque figure means that towing with this vehicle will be relatively comfortable. I feel the 2.0 litre bi-turbo variants are sufficient for the Everest and the 3.0 litre V6 on the Wildtrak and Titanium models are just superb flexes from Ford. However, it also makes the vehicle a tad thirsty. Ford claims 8.5 litres/100km. I managed around 10 litres/100km but if you are doing extensive off-roading, you might find that figure moves up to around 12 litres/100km. The Everest Wildtrak can do the extensive off-roading when you want it to. Based on the driving conditions, 4H (for four-wheel drive high-range) can be selected by simply pushing a button, to improve grip and control on loose surfaces, or low-range 4L, for steep or rocky tracks and deep sand, where low-speed control is required. There's also a 2H mode which engages rear-wheel drive only. The Everest Wildtrak has a bunch of drive modes including Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud & Ruts and Sand. The vehicle comes standard with safety features such as adaptive cruise control with stop and go and lane centring; blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage; cross traffic alert; evasive steer assist; a lane-keeping system with road-edge detection; pre-collision assist; reverse brake assist and a tyre-pressure monitoring system. The 360-degree camera with park assist is an optional extra. The Everest Wildtrak is that muscular friend in the group that can do everything. Even though it sits as the mid-range model below the Titanium, Ford has put a lot of effort into the product and given it its own identity. It makes me question why anyone would go for the Titanium, and pay more, when the Everest Wildtrak has everything you need. It comes in at a price of R1 084 000. However, if you feel the V6 is too much for you, the XLT starts from R832 400 and the Sport starts from R918 500. The range-topping Titanium will set you back R1 146 500. All models come with a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and a five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Leisure Wheels tests Ford Everest Sport 4×4: Perfect balance between rugged and refined
The Ford Everest Sport 4×4 walks the line between rugged and refined with impressive composure. Now two months into its time as the Leisure Wheels long-term test vehicle, the seven-seat, ladder-frame SUV has been tasked with more city driving than open-road exploration, and it has responded with grace. Cederberg Trails to Urban Daily Duties When […] The Ford Everest Sport 4×4 walks the line between rugged and refined with impressive composure. Now two months into its time as the Leisure Wheels long-term test vehicle, the seven-seat, ladder-frame SUV has been tasked with more city driving than open-road exploration, and it has responded with grace. Cederberg trails to urban daily duties When we received the Everest Sport to test, we had a solid month of driving lined up, including an Easter weekend in the Cederberg. The Sport variant hits a sweet spot for adventure-minded buyers who are happy to forgo the luxury trimmings of the Wildtrak or Platinum, but still want serious off-road capability. While the Sport doesn't include Ford's '4A' automatic all-wheel-drive mode (available in the higher-spec trims), it does offer selectable four-wheel high and low modes via the rotary dial next to the gear shifter. An electronic rear differential adds confidence for trickier trails. We've yet to take the Everest Sport into technical 4×4 territory, but the gravel roads of the Cederberg proved a good test of its light off-road ability and comfort. Fully loaded with passengers and camping gear, the SUV handled the terrain with ease. The suspension absorbed dirt road imperfections well, and the light all-terrain tyres delivered stable performance over corrugations and loose gravel. Related: Ford Everest Sport 4×4: Long Termer Introduction – Leisure Wheels Real-World Fuel Consumption One of the 2025 Everest Sport's highlights remains its drivetrain: the smooth, 10-speed automatic paired with Ford's familiar 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel. Last month, fuel consumption averaged 9.2L/100km. This month, largely limited to short city trips and uphill commutes in Cape Town, we're sitting at 10.8L/100km. While that's up, it's still respectable for a vehicle of this size and weight. Ford claims a combined fuel economy of 7.5L/100km, which we'll aim to test more accurately with some longer highway trips scheduled next month. Refined, Understated Design Two months in, I remain a fan of the Everest Sport's appearance. Finished in Aluminium Metallic with subtle black 'Sport' detailing, it strikes a clean yet assertive look. If you want to stand out a bit more, 'Blue Lightning' is the boldest option in an otherwise grey, black, white, and bronze-inspired colour palette. Three Highlights of the Ford Everest Sport 4×4 Even beyond the capable drivetrain and composed ride, there are a few standout details that make this SUV a strong daily driver. Quick-Access Lane Departure Control Being able to turn off the lane-departure prevention with a quick double click of one's left thumb on the steering wheel is such a pleasure. Many vehicles have overly-aggressive lane-assist safety features, which you have to dig around in the central infotainment system or digital display behind the steering wheel to turn off. Being able to do it on the fly is a massive bonus. Refinement and Responsiveness The sport's well-tuned suspension and responsive drivetrain make it an awesome daily driver, and it transfers this on-road elegance to off-road conditions too. Along with the drivetrain, the pedals are responsive and well-balanced, never lagging on acceleration nor too sensitive in stopping. The steering remains composed and precise for a vehicle of nearly five meters long. Well-Mannered Safety Features While some modern SUVs overwhelm drivers with overly sensitive warnings and interventions, the Everest Sport's safety features are intuitive and restrained. From blind spot monitoring to motion sensors and lane assist, everything works cohesively without being intrusive. 2025 Ford Everest Sport 4×4 – At a Glance Price: R1,109,500 (Recommended Retail Price) Engine: 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo Diesel, four-cylinder Power: 154 kW @ 3,750 r/min Torque: 500 N·m @ 1,750–2,500 r/min Transmission: 10-speed automatic Driven Wheels: Full-time four-wheel drive with selectable drive modes Fuel Efficiency: 7.5 L/100 km (claimed) Wheels: 20″ Black Alloy Wheels Key Features: Wireless Charging, Rear View Camera, 12-inch Touchscreen Display Service Plan: Standard 6 years / 90,000 km; Optional extension up to 8 years / 165,000 km Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oliver Keohane (@oliverkeohane_) The post Ford Everest Sport 4×4: Long termer update – Leisure Wheels appeared first on CAR Magazine.
