Our long-term review of the Ford Everest V6 Platinum began with taking this top-spec, 7-seater SUV to its natural habitat, somewhere where its size isn’t so obvious.
Ford Everest V6 Platinum long-term stats
Time spent: 3 weeks of 6 months
Distance covered to date: 1 400 km
Average fuel consumption: 10,7 L/100 km
Driver: Ian McLaren
We like: Sense of occasion; spaciousness.
We don’t like: It always feels like a heavy vehicle.
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Based on the same T6 platform as the modern Ranger bakkie, the third-generation Everest certainly isn’t going to get lost in a crowd. In its top-of-the-range Platinum specification, standard 21-inch alloy wheels, extensive chrome detailing and US spec, F-Series-inspired headlamps units with C-shaped LED daytime running lights serve to emphasise the new car’s purposeful stance.
Want to delve deeper into the model and lineup? Read here.
Within the first week of receiving the keys to the Everest, I set course for a weekend away in the always beautiful Nuy Valley, outside of Robertson in the Western Cape. With four adults on board – and no need on this occasion for the vehicle’s third row of seating – the Ford comfortably accommodated all luggage and supplies. My rearmost passengers were immediately taken with the inclusion of a heating function on the bench.
Related: 2023 Ford Everest Sport review
50 mm longer and wider by the same measurement than the previous generation Everest, if I have one early criticism of this package – and exasperated now that it also has a silky smooth yet rather hefty V6 turbodiesel installed in its nose – is that from the driver’s seat you’re always aware of this package’s mass, and particularly how hard the suspension is working to cope with the management of it. Fortunately, my passengers seemed oblivious to the resultant somewhat “floaty” ride. It’s likely not possible in this application, but I would prefer a setting that firms the dampers for a more controlled ride quality as freeway cruising speeds – like in the Ranger Raptor.
On a positive note, I welcomed the fact that you’re able to switch on the fly to a new 4A drivetrain setting ahead of long stretches of gravel driving.
