Everest driven!
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 1:24 pm
Today was finally the day, my local Ford dealer made contact and a few hours later there was a very energetic salesman outside our offices with a 2.2 4WD 6 speed manual Everest.
I will just add that it took Ford a week to finally contact me after leaving an inquiry on their website for a test drive, where as the Mitsu and Isuzu both replied and had the car to me on the same day, you decided who is probably going to give you better customer service when its needed...
Exterior
Like the MU-X, the Everest is a big SUV, standing next to it you feel somewhat small, it has very similar outside dimensions to the MU-X in my opinion. the 2.2 is not the top of the range from the Ford brand, so there is no chrome at all, which I prefer, the wheels are 17" so more suited for actual off road use, and were equipped with A/T tyres. As all the others the side steps are to be removed for proper 4x4ing as they are useful to get into the tall vehicle and serve only as that, there is no protection, the tow bar is standard (according to Mr Salesman) and the rear bumper has been designed nicely to accommodate the tow bar, so it looks part of the car. You notice you are not driving the top spec with small things like black door handles and no key-less entry.
Interior
As you open the door you realize that this is a mid-spec vehicle, no leather and plain grey and black trim everywhere, nothing fancy, but still decent looking. The floor of the boot is not level, so although the floor is not raised as per the MU-X & Sport its sloping rearwards, I can just imagine items not staying put as they will gravitate to the tailgate while driving home from PnP, making for a fun game called catch the shopping before it hits the floor as you open the boot - not ideal. The 3rd row of seats are the smallest of the bunch but folding them to the floor was a very simple task. Entry from the 2nd row was a not-so a simple task, the seats didn't seem to tumble forward so you have to climb over the seat to gain 3rd row access, so from that point not great for the kiddies. The Ford has the nicest rear air con controls, easily set, with heating, from 2 dials behind the center console, 1 for fan speed and 1 for temperature, also adjustable from the drivers seat via controls on the dash board. There are no rear USB power points for rear occupants, only 1 cigar lighter for 2nd row and 1 for the 3rd row. The reverse camera is displayed on a small colour screen, expected for this lower spec, also the air con is manual and not climate controlled as all the others. 4WD is selected via a dial knob on next to the gear lever which is very easy to use, the Everest is also equipped with rear diff lock. The steering wheel is well equipped with all the buttons one could need while cruising to Durban. Owing to the lower spec the driver cluster is very simple and all gauges are needle type, again, which I prefer, the info section is simple and easy to read, its simplicity makes it easy to find your info bearings quickly.
Drive
The 2.2 is a quiet engine, when you turn the key you can hear its a diesel, but quickly the engine calms to a slight, typical, diesel sound, being a manual I quickly noticed that the clutch pedal seems to be spring loaded so as you let the clutch out the pedal tries to assist by pushing your leg up, if you are not paying attention I think it could quickly cause you to stall, I would say that the cabin has the best insulation of the lot and engine and drive-train noise is minimal. The 2.2 delivers its power nicely for day to day driving around town, the 6 speed manual has a nice short throw and although a tad "clicky" through the gears, you know exactly where you are in the gearbox, the 6 speed has enough choice that you are never left looking for another gear. At highway speeds the 2.2 becomes a disappointment, it doesn't have the ohm-pf of the others and I would be hesitant to hook up my heavy off road trailer. Its 100 - 120 acceleration is slow, which will translate into long gaps needed for over taking and if you add a heavy load behind it you will have to become a very patient driver. The turbo lag was noticeable on 2 occasions when I needed to demand max power from the 2.2 but it quickly came onto power and revved up to 3500 RPM, over that the Ford was not happy and I quickly adjusted my driving style to change at 3500 RPM. the ride was the hardest of the bunch being very stiff on the highway, and the seats are very flat and hard, on my short drive I had to re-adjust myself to try find a more comfortable position.
Overall? Would I buy it? I'm afraid not, the lack of power for towing and the hard suspension and drivers seat put me off, I obviously prefer the higher spec of the others, but they do come at a higher price tag. I'd be much happier behind the steering wheel of one of the others (assuming it was my hard earned cash being spent on a new car)
I will just add that it took Ford a week to finally contact me after leaving an inquiry on their website for a test drive, where as the Mitsu and Isuzu both replied and had the car to me on the same day, you decided who is probably going to give you better customer service when its needed...
Exterior
Like the MU-X, the Everest is a big SUV, standing next to it you feel somewhat small, it has very similar outside dimensions to the MU-X in my opinion. the 2.2 is not the top of the range from the Ford brand, so there is no chrome at all, which I prefer, the wheels are 17" so more suited for actual off road use, and were equipped with A/T tyres. As all the others the side steps are to be removed for proper 4x4ing as they are useful to get into the tall vehicle and serve only as that, there is no protection, the tow bar is standard (according to Mr Salesman) and the rear bumper has been designed nicely to accommodate the tow bar, so it looks part of the car. You notice you are not driving the top spec with small things like black door handles and no key-less entry.
Interior
As you open the door you realize that this is a mid-spec vehicle, no leather and plain grey and black trim everywhere, nothing fancy, but still decent looking. The floor of the boot is not level, so although the floor is not raised as per the MU-X & Sport its sloping rearwards, I can just imagine items not staying put as they will gravitate to the tailgate while driving home from PnP, making for a fun game called catch the shopping before it hits the floor as you open the boot - not ideal. The 3rd row of seats are the smallest of the bunch but folding them to the floor was a very simple task. Entry from the 2nd row was a not-so a simple task, the seats didn't seem to tumble forward so you have to climb over the seat to gain 3rd row access, so from that point not great for the kiddies. The Ford has the nicest rear air con controls, easily set, with heating, from 2 dials behind the center console, 1 for fan speed and 1 for temperature, also adjustable from the drivers seat via controls on the dash board. There are no rear USB power points for rear occupants, only 1 cigar lighter for 2nd row and 1 for the 3rd row. The reverse camera is displayed on a small colour screen, expected for this lower spec, also the air con is manual and not climate controlled as all the others. 4WD is selected via a dial knob on next to the gear lever which is very easy to use, the Everest is also equipped with rear diff lock. The steering wheel is well equipped with all the buttons one could need while cruising to Durban. Owing to the lower spec the driver cluster is very simple and all gauges are needle type, again, which I prefer, the info section is simple and easy to read, its simplicity makes it easy to find your info bearings quickly.
Drive
The 2.2 is a quiet engine, when you turn the key you can hear its a diesel, but quickly the engine calms to a slight, typical, diesel sound, being a manual I quickly noticed that the clutch pedal seems to be spring loaded so as you let the clutch out the pedal tries to assist by pushing your leg up, if you are not paying attention I think it could quickly cause you to stall, I would say that the cabin has the best insulation of the lot and engine and drive-train noise is minimal. The 2.2 delivers its power nicely for day to day driving around town, the 6 speed manual has a nice short throw and although a tad "clicky" through the gears, you know exactly where you are in the gearbox, the 6 speed has enough choice that you are never left looking for another gear. At highway speeds the 2.2 becomes a disappointment, it doesn't have the ohm-pf of the others and I would be hesitant to hook up my heavy off road trailer. Its 100 - 120 acceleration is slow, which will translate into long gaps needed for over taking and if you add a heavy load behind it you will have to become a very patient driver. The turbo lag was noticeable on 2 occasions when I needed to demand max power from the 2.2 but it quickly came onto power and revved up to 3500 RPM, over that the Ford was not happy and I quickly adjusted my driving style to change at 3500 RPM. the ride was the hardest of the bunch being very stiff on the highway, and the seats are very flat and hard, on my short drive I had to re-adjust myself to try find a more comfortable position.
Overall? Would I buy it? I'm afraid not, the lack of power for towing and the hard suspension and drivers seat put me off, I obviously prefer the higher spec of the others, but they do come at a higher price tag. I'd be much happier behind the steering wheel of one of the others (assuming it was my hard earned cash being spent on a new car)
that's too much money for this category of SUV and I was trying to keep the pricing in a similar ball park for the average real 4x4er, the Limited 3.2 even has 20" mags, not suited for us real 4x4 guys 