What is a Ford Everest Platinum V6? Prado Kakadu rival revealed

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The new-generation Ford Everest will debut a new range-topping model called Platinum, which will supersede the previous Titanium model and sit above the Sport, Trend and Ambiente trim levels in the broader 2023 Everest range.  

The Platinum is also expected to cost more than the previous Titanium grade as it will introduce new luxuries to the Everest to help it compete with the $88K Prado Kakadu – Toyota’s top-of-the-range equivalent. 

The Everest Platinum will also compete against top-end grades of the Isuzu MU-X (the LS-T) and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (the GSR). 

What do you get in the Platinum grade?

Inspired by generations of top-level Fords, the Everest Platinum will be dripping in chrome embellishment and ride on huge 21-inch alloy wheels finished in a special tri-coat paint with machined accents. The Platinum will also feature unique ‘stand-off’ roof rails, as well as glare-free Matrix LED adaptive headlamps.

Befitting its status as the top-of-the-line Ford model in Australia, the Everest Platinum will be available exclusively with a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. 

In order to tackle the Toyota Prado Kakadu head-on, the Everest Platinum features a high-grade interior with heated/cooled premium leather front seats with 10-way electric adjustment for the driver. The seat upholstery is finished with quilted inserts and wears Platinum badging. Along with a heated steering wheel, seat heating is also a feature of the second row, though not the electrically folding third row. 

The Platinum is the only Everest in the family to gain a larger 12.4-inch digital driver’s display. The portrait-oriented centre touchscreen used for infotainment is a 12.0-inch unit shared with the Trend and Sport variants, though the Platinum features a premium B&O Play audio system. A panoramic sunroof and new zone lighting add to the interior ambience. 

What about the engine?

One of the biggest changes for the new Everest and Ranger is the engine. While the 2.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel engine will be sticking around for the new-generation model, the previous Transit-sourced 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel will be discontinued in favour of a much more powerful 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 sourced from the F-Series pick-up. 

This engine should out-punch all the Everest’s key rivals with an expected 190kW of power and 600Nm of torque. It’s a decent step up from the 157kW/500Nm currently produced by the twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel. 

That means that cars such as the Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Prado, Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport will fall well behind this power figure, though we will have to wait and see what the actual figure is closer to the new-gen Everest’s mid-year Australian launch.