Ford's Ranger SUV Seen Testing in the U.S. Leaves Everyone Curious | Carscoops

      The Everest prototype was spotted in Dillon, Colorado, equipped with testing tools, igniting rumors despite its similarity to the Bronco.

      The SUV is currently available in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The altitude in Colorado provides an ideal environment for durability testing.

      Some SUVs originate from trucks, but not all are available in every market. For example, the Ford Everest, a robust ladder-frame SUV based on the global Ranger, has been sold for years in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, but has never officially been available in the US. This makes its recent sighting in Colorado noteworthy.

      **Spotted In The Wild**

      Images of the ladder-frame SUV appeared on Reddit, leading to speculation among Ford enthusiasts. The Everest in question had manufacturer plates, similar to other vehicles in the area, which is a common occurrence in Colorado where car makers frequently test prototypes. A laptop docking station and additional equipment inside suggested that this was part of a development program rather than just a privately imported vehicle.

      **Review: The Ford Everest Is The Ranger SUV You Can’t Buy In America**

      The white SUV featured a modified off-road bumper and was mounted on black alloy wheels fitted with robust tires reminiscent of the Ranger Tremor. Inside, leather seats with contrasting stitching displayed a Platinum badge, indicating a higher-end trim.

      If we had to speculate, we would say the Everest’s presence was likely linked to Ford’s global testing program rather than an undercover US launch strategy. Colorado’s unique high elevation and variable weather have long served as a proving ground for emissions and durability tests. However, additional sightings of Everest prototypes in Michigan and along Interstate 70 have only intensified the speculation.

      **What Exactly Is The Everest?**

      Also known as the Endeavour in India, the Everest is a ladder-frame SUV derived from the Ranger. It shares a similar front-end design with the pickup but features a shorter wheelbase, a more compact body, and a three-row seating arrangement inside.

      The first Everest was introduced in 2003, followed by a second generation in 2015 and the current model in 2022. Produced in Thailand, it is available in markets across Southeast Asia, Oceania, South Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

      Depending on the market, it offers both diesel and petrol engines, rear or four-wheel drive, and various trim levels. The most capable variant is Australia's Everest Tremor, which comes with a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, upgraded suspension, 32-inch all-terrain tires, and numerous rugged exterior features.

      **Could It Come To America?**

      In theory, the Everest would serve as a worthy competitor to the Toyota 4Runner in the US. However, with the four-door Bronco already occupying that space and built on a similar ladder-frame platform, introducing the Everest risks overlapping with an already established model.

      There are also practical challenges to consider. To comply with US safety and emissions regulations, the Everest would need considerable modifications, and being manufactured in Thailand, it would face high import tariffs. The Bronco, made in Michigan, circumvents these issues, clarifying why Ford is concentrating on the models already present in its American lineup.