Recently, Ford announced it had expanded the local next-generation Everest line-up, with the South African arm of the Blue Oval brand adding the Everest Wildtrak (see pricing here) and the entry-level XLT variant (see pricing below) to the range.
The opening gambit to the local Everest line-up, the horizontal bars spanning the XLT model’s front grille are adorned with “classy” chrome finishes. The headlamp clusters house LED headlamps and C-shaped daytime-running lights. The fog lamps and taillamps are also of the LED variety. The door handles, and side mirrors are finished in the same hue as the chosen body colour. The rear windows feature privacy glass.
The interior mirrors the current Everest Sport (read our launch review here). The cabin features partial leather seat trim (the driver’s pew offers eight-way electric adjustability). The Everest XLT sports an 8.0-inch digital driver’s display and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system incorporating Ford’s SYNC 4A software. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included in the package. Other standard items include keyless entry, fore and aft park distance sensors supplemented by a reverse-view camera and a powered tailgate.
Safety features include dual front, side and curtain airbags, ESP, pre-collision assist, lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. Hill descent control is available on the 4×4 model.
The Everest XLT employs Ford’s 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine, the same unit powering the Everest Sport. The four-cylinder oil-burner produces 154 kW and 500 Nm of torque. Two drivetrains are available, 4×2 and 4×4, with the latter using a part-time electronic shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system, which includes 2H, 4H and 4L, and a rear diff lock. Both derivatives employ a 10-speed automatic transmission.
PRICING
- XLT 2.0 BiT 4×2 AT – R 832 400
- XLT 2.0 BiT 4×4 AT – R 896 300
A four-year/120 000 km warranty is included in the pricing, while customers can purchase service or maintenance plans up to eight years or 165 000 km.
