The Ford Everest Platinum headlines the Blue Oval’s native SUV line-up, however is it a viable choice as a household van?
Looking for a new or used Ford? Find it here with CARmag!
When contemplating a family-oriented automobile, generally known as a “mommy wagon” or “dad van,” a number of components come into play, with pricing usually being a major concern. But when value had been much less of a figuring out issue, what choices can be out there? This query grew to become significantly related after spending a number of days with the Ford Everest Platinum and realising that I, too, will at some point contemplate a automobile for my soon-to-expand household.
As a result of, past its powertrain and dimensions, the Everest Platinum presents itself as a spacious and well-appointed SUV, and this led to a elementary consideration: if one had been available in the market for a family-oriented automobile, would the Everest Platinum be a viable choice?
Seating for Seven
The Ford Everest Platinum gives seating for seven occupants, with the third row deployable on the press of a button positioned within the boot. Whereas the digital operation enhances comfort, accessing it requires opening the tailgate. This led me to assume {that a} extra user-friendly various may embrace further controls close to the entrance console or inside the C-pillars, simply behind the second row of seats, permitting activation from inside the cabin.
Entry to the third row is facilitated by sliding the second-row seats ahead. Nevertheless, this course of requires some acclimation. Failure to launch the lever absolutely or too rapidly can hinder seat motion, probably obstructing entry. That mentioned, the cabin stays spacious, and occupants within the third row ought to discover ample room. However these two seats are greatest suited to youngsters or adults with shorter legs.
Associated: Living With It – Ford Everest V6 Platinum [update 3]
Cargo capability is one other one of many Everest Platinum’s sturdy fits. When each the second and third rows are folded flat, the out there load quantity expands to 1 818 litres. With the third row stowed away, this determine reduces to 898 litres, and with all seats deployed, the out there capability stands at 259 litres.
Energy to Transfer Everest
The Everest Platinum is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel engine, an influence unit it shares with choose Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok fashions. It delivers 184 kW at 3 250 r/min and 600 N.m of torque between 1 750 and a pair of 250 r/min. The engine is paired with Ford’s 10-speed computerized transmission, which gives guide gear choice by way of buttons on the gear lever – although steering-mounted paddle shifters are absent.
Outfitted with a four-wheel-drive (4WD) system, the Everest Platinum is able to dealing with off-road situations. Nevertheless, for households who incessantly enterprise open air whereas prioritising on-road consolation, choosing the elective 18-inch wheels with higher-profile tyres could provide a extra balanced driving expertise in comparison with the usual 21-inch models.
CAR had the Everest Platinum on an prolonged check in late 2023 and early 2024. Throughout this six-month interval, the SUV returned a mean gasoline consumption determine of 10.9 L/100 km – a simply indication of what to anticipate in real-world situations.
So, What’s The Verdict?
As a household automobile, the Ford Everest Platinum hits the mark when you think about house, practicality, and luxury. The seven-seat configuration ensures that massive(ger) households are accommodated with ease, whereas the large cargo capability makes it appropriate for when the household wants ‘stuff’ to be moved round. And, after all, the punchy engine provides some sweetener to the deal.
Nevertheless, if the weekly commute contains principally metropolis driving, then the gasoline consumption will far exceed Ford’s claimed 8.5 L/100 km. On this regard, a extra frugal various could be price contemplating. Then once more, if funds constraints usually are not a priority and all-round luxurious, functionality, and practicality is the aim, then the Everest Platinum presents a reasonably stable case.
The Everest Platinum 3.0TD V6 4WD is priced at R1 309 000 and comes customary with a 6-year/90 000 km service plan and a 4-year/120 000 km guarantee.
