Ford Everest: a close look at the India-bound SUV

The new Ford Everest is arguably among this year’s most exciting upcoming launches. It will not only mark Ford’s return to India but also increase the options available in the full-size SUV segment, which is largely represented by Toyota Fortuner. This generation of the Everest debuted overseas in early 2022. Let’s dive right into what you can expect from the all-new Ford Everest in India.

Unified global nameplate

We recently reported that the full-size Ford SUV will likely be badged ‘Everest’ in India, which is what it is known as globally. Ford India resorted to the ‘Endeavour’ nameplate because the name Everest was trademarked to another entity. Ford is understood to have secured the rights for it now. A unified global name could help the brand image and save on costs involved in localising fresh badges, logos and nameplates for limited volumes.

Rugged and butch design

Endeavour was unapologetically butch, and the new Everest builds on that rugged appeal. It gets a boxier front end with a large grille featuring a horizontal bar, which runs right into the new Matrix LED headlights with C-shaped daytime running lights. The new Everest has a squarer design, with more upright front and rear ends and a stronger shoulder line. At the rear, there are new inverted L-shaped LED tail-lights that extend to the tailgate and are connected by a black plastic panel.

Also See: Ford has no plans to bring EcoSport, Figo, Aspire back to India

More tech and features

Taking centre stage in the new Everest’s interior is a horizontally oriented touchscreen: 8.0-inch in the lower-spec trims and 12.0-inch in the top-spec one. It extends all the way down to the centre console and is flanked by vertical AC vents. There’s a neat stack of physical HVAC controls below and the centre console has nifty stowage spaces. With hard-wearing materials and straight lines, the Everest’s interior looks more rugged than its predecessor. 

There’s generous equipment on board as well. Top-spec trim has ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, a fully digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, automatic climate control, Fordpass connected-car tech, a panoramic sunroof, USB charging points in all three rows, a 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, electrically foldable third-row seats and a powered tailgate.

Import initially, but CKD to follow

The plan is to eventually assemble completely knocked-down kits of the Everest at Ford’s erstwhile Chennai factory. However, sources said the company is considering to start selling completely built units under the 2500-unit import rule without homologation while it retools the factory for local assembly from next year or early 2026. Moreover, with the on-road price of the top-spec Toyota Fortuner now touching almost Rs 60 lakh, a fully imported Endeavour would still be competitive.

Range of engine options

Aboard, the Everest comes with several 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre diesel engine options. The range starts with the 2.0-litre single-turbo, four-cylinder unit that produces 170hp. The bi-turbo version of the same engine produces 206hp. Finally, the range-topping 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel motor's output is 246hp and 600Nm of torque. All engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. While the 2.0-litre engines are available in 4x2 and 4x4 drive layouts, the 3.0-litre V6 comes only with a full-time 4x4 system. On account of being an import initially, Ford is likely to offer just one variant of the Everest here.

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