Ford’s all-terrain Everest large SUV is set for a new optional towing assistance feature and tweaks to standard features on certain trim levels as part of an updated lineup that will see the deletion of the Trend RWD grade.
Prices will remain unchanged for the revised vehicle lineup, which Ford has dubbed ‘MY24.5’, although prices had already increased by between $500 and $2500 on MY24 models since our last price update in mid-2023.
The updates to the popular large SUV follow similar tweaks made to the Everest’s sister Ranger pickup on which the large SUV is based, with MY24.5 versions of both vehicles set to begin production in March.
MY24.5 versions of the Ford Everest will begin production in March
Ford’s Everest is the brand’s second-most popular vehicle, delivering 15,071 units in 2023 for an 11.9 percent market share. That made the wagon lineup second in its segment after the Toyota Prado, which delivered 20,710 units and a 16.3 percent market share.
The Everest was Australia’s 20th most popular vehicle overall in 2023 based on deliveries, with the Ranger claiming the top spot as number one for the first time.
The Everest is Ford’s second most popular vehicle in Australia after the Ranger ute
Let’s have a look at what’s new on the Ford Everest in 2024.
January 2024 – New F-150-style towing assistance; extra standard features
Headlining the changes to the Everest and Ranger for their MY24.5 models is the addition of a ‘Pro Trailer Backup Assist’ – which we have already seen an iteration of on the larger F-150 pick-up truck – as part of option packs on certain grades.
Unlike on the Ranger, which gains the feature as standard on its higher spec models, it will only be available as an option on the Everest as part of the Touring Pack on 4WD Trend and 4WD Sport models, and on the Platinum variant as part of an optional Pro Towing Pack.
The Everest will gain ‘Pro Trailer Backup Assist’ as an option on certain grades
The feature enables drivers to ‘steer’ a trailer using the outer ring of the vehicle’s drive mode controller on the centre console. In using this feature, driver’s don’t need to touch the steering wheel which turns automatically to direct the trailer where it needs to go.
The system is designed to eliminate the often-difficult action of needing to steer in the opposite direction to the intended direction the trailer needs to travel while backing up.
In other updates, Ford has announced that the Everest Trend and Sport grades will gain Zone Lighting as standard, as well as Black Stand-Off Roof Rails. These features were previously included as part of the Touring Pack for 4WD and unavailable on RWD Trend and Sport models.
The 2024 Ford Everest Sport (pictured) and Trend grades will gain additional features
The lineup has also been streamlined with the deletion of the Everest Trend RWD grade, which will no longer be available. The Everest Wildtrak has also now finished its run as a limited run model with the MY24 range.
Otherwise, the lineup remains unchanged.
What does each Ford Everest grade include?
Ford offers the Everest in several grades with two engine choices available paired with either two- or four-wheel drive.
All variants come with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while four-wheel drive variants come standard with a locking rear differential.
The Everest lineup is topped by the highest-grade Platinum variant
Two seating configurations are also available depending on chosen grade – the entry-level Ambiente comes with five seats while all grades above come with seven seats.
All Everests achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating having been crash-tested in 2022.
Similarly, a 3500kg braked towing capacity applies across the range.
Ambiente
Powertrain: The Ambiente is offered with a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel inline-four cylinder engine delivering 154kW and 500Nm.
The Ford Everest Ambiente is available with a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel inline-four cylinder engine
It’s available with either rear-wheel drive or full-time four-wheel drive.
Key Features:
- Selectable drive modes including normal, eco, tow/haul, and slippery
- Front and rear vented disc brakes with electronic brake booster
- 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tyres
- LED headlights
- Cloth seats
- Eight-way manual driver’s seat
- Four-way manual passenger seat
- Dual-zone climate control
- Wireless charging
- 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen media display
- Eight speakers
- Built-in satellite navigation with one year of Connected Navigation Services included
- Ford SYNC4A with voice-activated controls
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
All Ford Everest variants have a five-star ANCAP safety rating
In terms of passive safety, the Everest Ambiente comes with nine airbags including front, side, knee and full length curtain airbags (driver and passenger), and a far side driver front airbag.
As for driver assistance, the Ambiente is equipped with:
- Intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop and go, traffic sign recognition and lane centering
- Intelligent speed assist
- Blind spot monitoring with cross traffic alert
- Lane keeping aid with road edge detection and driver alert system
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear view camera
- Traffic sign recognition
Trend
Powertrain: The Trend is offered with the same powertrain, albeit exclusively with all-wheel drive for MY24.5.
From MY24.5 the Ford Everest Trend will only be available with all-wheel drive
Key Features:
- 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tyres
- Seven seats
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Leather accented seat material
- Eight-way power driver’s seat
- 12.0-inch touchscreen media display
- Zone lighting (new)
The 4WD Trend also includes an additional two drive modes over lower spec models including normal, eco, tow/haul, slippery, mud/ruts, and sand.
Sport
Powertrain: The Sport comes with the same 2.0-litre inline-four cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine in its rear-wheel drive form, however the four-wheel drive variant comes with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine delivering 184kW and 600Nm.
The 2024 Ford Everest Sport driving through a rocky creek
Key Features:
- 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season tyres
- Leather-accented Sport embossed front seats
- Heated and ventilated driver and front passenger seats
- 10-way power adjusted driver’s seat with memory
- Eight-way power adjusted front passenger seat
- 10 speakers
Like the 4WD Trend, the 4WD Sport also includes all possible drive modes.
Platinum
Powertrain: The Platinum comes with a single four-wheel-drive option paired with the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel also available in the Sport.
The Ford Everest Platinum is available with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine
Key Features:
- 21-inch alloy wheels with all-season tyres
- Matrix LED headlights with auto leveling and dynamic bending
- Choice of black or body coloured roof
- Panoramic roof with power blind
- 3rd row with 50/50 split and power fold
- Heated steering wheel
- Leather accented quilted seats
- 10-way power adjusted front passenger seat
- Heated outboard rear seats
- Ambient lighting
- 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster
- B&O premium 12 speaker audio system
- 360 degree camera
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
The Ford Everest Platinum is the most expensive variant at $79,490
What options can I get on the Ford Ranger?
As before, a number of options and option packs are available on the MY24.5 Ford Everest. These include:
Ford Everest MY24.5 options:
- Towing Pack: $1,900
- 4WD Trend / Sport Touring Pack: $2,500 (now includes Pro-Trailer Backup Assist)
- Pro Towing Pack – Platinum Only: $2,900* (now includes Pro-Trailer Backup Assist)
- Trend Premium Seat Pack: $1,100
- Ambiente Third Row: $1,200
- 4WD Ambiente 18-inch wheel & A/T Tyre Pack: $1,350
- 4WD Trend A/T Tyres: $700
- 4WD Sport 18-inch wheel & A/T Tyre Pack: No cost option
- Platinum 18-inch wheel & A/T Tyre Pack: No cost option
The Ford Everest Platinum’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine
Ford Everest 2024 MY24.5: prices in Australia
The MY24.5 Ford Everest lineup is listed below. All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- Ambiente RWD 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel: $53,990
- Ambiente 4WD 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel: $58,990
- Trend 4WD 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel: $66,790
- Sport RWD 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel: $63,490
- Sport 4WD 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel: $72,490
- Platinum 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel: $79,490*
*includes Luxury Car Tax (LCT)