Ford may be an American company, but that doesn’t mean its sales are limited to the United States. The Ford Everest proves this automaker is versatile enough to make it anywhere.
The Ford Everest is a midsize SUV developed for the Asia-Pacific region. Its production takes place primarily in Thailand. Unveiled in 2003, the Everest has seen great success in Asian markets.
The Everest’s Origins
Developed on the same platform as the Ranger, the Everest visually resembles an Explorer more than a Ford F-150. In other words, it’s an SUV built on a truck platform with a body-on-frame construction and a live axle rear suspension.
Engineer Masaki Makihara led the original Everest design team, and it took four years to develop the SUV. The first-generation models were three-row, seven-seater SUVs, though some markets also sold 10-seaters with face-to-face third-row bench seats.
Built at the AutoAlliance Thailand plant in Rayong, the first-generation Everest impressed markets in Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and elsewhere. In some places, it was rebranded as the Endeavor.
What to Expect From Today’s Ford Everest
Today, the Ford Everest remains a body-on-frame midsize SUV with space for seven passengers. This generation is based on the T6 Ranger platform and shares essential components with the famous American pickup truck.
The modern Everest features bold exterior styling with a recognizable grille and unique C-Clamp headlight design. The midsize SUV is rugged enough to tackle off-road adventures but comfortable enough to make an excellent daily driver.
Beneath the hood of the Ford Everest, you’ll find a 296-hp 2.3L engine that puts this midsize SUV at the front of the pack. The standard engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Off-road enthusiasts will also love the full-time 4WD system.
Smart Tech for a Modern SUV
Most drivers don’t just purchase SUVs for off-roading. They also want safe, comfortable, convenient vehicles to take to work or around town to run errands. The Everest certainly fits the bill.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find either a standard 10.1-inch or a best-in-class 12-inch touchscreen command center that controls everything from navigation and entertainment to cameras and off-road controls.
The 360-degree camera includes a 180-degree front and rear split view, a top-down view, and a rear trailer hitch view, all available through the touchscreen interface. Like popular American Ford SUVs, the Everest’s infotainment module runs on Ford’s SYNC 4A system.
Where to Get the Ford Everest
Drivers in the United States can’t just head to the dealership to pick up a Ford Everest. They would have to work significantly harder to get one onto US soil.
The Everest is available in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, parts of Northern Africa, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Indonesia, and parts of Central America.
Unfortunately, transporting a vehicle overseas is much harder for an individual than for auto manufacturers who deal in bulk. While getting a Ford Everest in America is possible, it makes more sense for most drivers to stick to local alternatives.
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