2025 Ford Everest Review: The Ranger SUV Not Available in the U.S. | Carscoops
The Everest is likely the ideal blend of an SUV and a pickup, yet Ford has opted not to introduce it to the U.S. market.
by Brad Anderson
PROS ›› Ample space, off-road capabilities, excellent towing capacity, decent fuel efficiency CONS ›› Small digital instrument cluster, basic design, not a thrilling driving experience
The Ford Everest has been a prominent player for over twenty years, evolving through three generations. However, if you're in the U.S., you may not be familiar with it, as it has never been offered here, which is quite puzzling. Americans love their large SUVs, and the Everest is effectively a more robust version of the Ranger pickup, a vehicle that is already quite popular in the U.S.
Instead of marketing the Everest globally, Ford has concentrated on the Asia-Pacific region while also making it available in the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. Built on the robust ladder-frame chassis of the Ranger, it competes with models like the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Isuzu MU-X, striving to merge the toughness of a pickup with the comfort expected of a contemporary SUV.
To evaluate whether the Everest truly merits its acclaim, we spent a week with it, driving the 2025 model for nearly 2,000 km (~1,200 miles) across highways, rural roads, and city streets, elucidating its popularity in Australia.
QUICK FACTS
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Two Diesel Options Available, No High-Performance Variant
The current version of the Everest was first revealed three years ago, is manufactured in Thailand, and is exported globally. As mentioned, it shares the T6.2 platform with the Ford Ranger, Bronco, and Volkswagen Amarok. In Australia, it is offered with two diesel engines: a 2.0-liter bi-turbo four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter turbo V6, both also available in the Ranger.
Regrettably for performance SUV enthusiasts, there is no Everest Raptor; the flagship 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged petrol V6 from the Ranger is absent from the lineup.
Read: New Ford Everest Tremor Brings Raptor Vibes to Ranger SUV
Nonetheless, there are numerous variations available, catering to buyers with different budgets. The entry-level model is the Everest Ambiente, starting at AU$60,589 (~$37,900) for rear-wheel drive or AU$65,799 (~$41,100) for four-wheel drive. We tested the Everest in the Trend trim, priced from AU$73,927 (~$46,200) for the four-wheel-drive option and made exclusively with the 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel.
Just below this variant is the Sport, beginning at AU$70,484 (~$44,100) for rear-wheel drive, though it will soon only be available with all-wheel drive. The lineup also includes the AU$83,872 (~$52,500) Tremor, AU$84,248 (~$52,700) Wildtrak, and AU$90,467 (~$56,600) Platinum.
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Not a Leader in Technology, But Still Well-Equipped and Functional
Being one of the lower-spec versions, the Trend lacks some features found in higher-tier models, yet the interior remains a comfortable place to be.
Standard features include electrically adjustable front seats upholstered in soft black leather with a distinctive stitched pattern. The leather also adorns parts of the dashboard and door panels, alongside durable black plastic. As the Everest shares its platform with the Ranger, it's not surprising that the interior is almost identical.
Whether this is a positive or negative depends on individual preferences. Other SUVs on the market may offer more tech-focused cabins with superior materials, but none deliver the rugged versatility afforded by the Everest’s T6.2 platform, which strikes a balance between a pickup and a traditional SUV all on its own.
Much like the Ranger, the centerpiece of the Everest is a 12-inch portrait infotainment screen, which is excellent. The menus are user-friendly and it responds swiftly to inputs. An added bonus is the wireless support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
One minor annoyance is that the screen houses most climate control functions. Ford has improved upon some other brands by dedicating the lower section of the screen to climate settings, making them easily accessible even when using CarPlay. Fortunately, physical buttons and dials allow you to adjust the fan speed and temperature, though we would prefer more of these controls.
The Everest Trend models also feature an 8.0-inch infotainment screen shared with the Ranger. This unit is functional but noticeably lower in resolution, not as bright or colorful, and has very limited customization options. Nonetheless, front-seat occupants will appreciate the wireless phone charger included in the SUV’s specifications.
Ample Space Inside, Plus a Third Row of Seats
The interior of
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2025 Ford Everest Review: The Ranger SUV Not Available in the U.S. | Carscoops
The Everest is likely the ideal combination of an SUV and a pickup, yet for some reason, Ford chose not to introduce it to the US market.