High-end SUVs playing in the same league as the new Ford Everest

• The competition
• Kia Sorento 2.2CRDi AWD SXL
• Volkswagen Tiguan R
• Hyundai Palisade 2.2D 4WD Elite
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3.6 Rubicon
• Volvo XC60 B6 AWD Inscription
• Land Rover Discovery Sport P250 R-Dynamic HSE
• Lexus NX 350 AWD F Sport
• Porsche Macan
• Audi Q5 Sportback 45TFSI quattro S line
• Range Rover Evoque P250 R-Dynamic SE
• BMW X4 xDrive20d
• Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic AMG Line
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 VX
• Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0T Veloce Q4

Ford recently announced the pricing for the new Everest in South Africa, which is now available with one of two engines.

The entry-level Sport, with its 2.0-litre bi-turbo drivetrain, now has a starting price of R965,400, while the top-spec 3.0-litre V6 Platinum sits at R1,113,100.

For this price, you get a lot of power, as the 2.0-litre engine produces 154kW and a considerable 500Nm while averaging a decent 7.5l/100km on a combined fuel cycle.

The 3.0-litre V6, on the other hand, steps this up to 184kW and 600Nm while being a bit thirstier, consuming 8.5l/100km.

Both units are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, though one important difference is that the Sport uses a “shift on the fly” four-wheel-drive system while the Platinum has a permanent all-wheel-drive layout.

As the capable SUV cousin of the upcoming Ranger bakkie, the Everest also receives a number of driving modes and off-road features, as well as 2H, 4H, and 4L gear ratios.

Furthermore, the seven-seater can now tow a maximum of 3,500kg and has a payload capacity of up to 759kg, while offering a water-wading depth of 800mm.

For the interior, owners can look forward to a new digital instrument cluster of between 8 and 12.4-inches depending on the model, and a new vertical infotainment unit running the latest Sync software with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice commands.

Other additions range from wireless phone charging and keyless entry and start, to dual-zone climate control, all-around parking sensors, eight speakers, a reverse camera, electric front seats, automatic LED headlamps, and 20-inch alloys.

The new Ford additionally has several assistance programmes such as lane-keeping assist, road edge detection and warning, pre-collision assist with dynamic braking, forward collision warning, reverse brake assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and Active Park Assist 2.0.

The competition

Listed below are the SUVs that you can currently buy in South Africa for a similar price as the new Ford Everest range.

Click on the underlined prices for more information.

Kia Sorento 2.2CRDi AWD SXL

• Price – R998,995
• Power – 148kW/440Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,500kg
• Wading depth – 500mm

Volkswagen Tiguan R

• Price – R999,900
• Power – 235kW/400Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,200kg
• Wading depth – 200mm

Hyundai Palisade 2.2D 4WD Elite

• Price – R1,045,900
• Power – 142kW/440Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,200kg
• Wading depth – 203mm

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3.6 Rubicon

• Price – R1,049,900
• Power – 209kW/437Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,495kg
• Wading depth – 760mm

Volvo XC60 B6 AWD Inscription

• Price – R1,058,200
• Power – 220kW/420Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,400kg
• Wading depth – 400mm

Land Rover Discovery Sport P250 R-Dynamic HSE

• Price – R1,101,517
• Power – 184kW/365Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,000kg
• Wading depth – 600mm

Lexus NX 350 AWD F Sport

• Price – R1,107,700
• Power – 205kW/430Nm
• Towing capacity – 1,500kg
• Wading depth – 200mm

Porsche Macan

• Price – R1,112,000
• Power – 195kW/400Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,000kg
• Wading depth – 300mm

Audi Q5 Sportback 45TFSI quattro S line

• Price – R1,136,500
• Power – 183kW/370Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,400kg
• Wading depth – 500mm

Range Rover Evoque P250 R-Dynamic SE

• Price – R1,112,373
• Power – 184kW/365Nm
• Towing capacity – 1,800kg
• Wading depth – 600mm

BMW X4 xDrive20d

• Price – R1,132,894
• Power – 140kW/400Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,000kg
• Wading depth – 500mm

Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic AMG Line

• Price – R1,139,985
• Power – 190kW/370Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,400kg
• Wading depth – 500mm

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 VX

• Price – R1,160,400
• Power – 202kW/381Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,500kg
• Wading depth – 700mm

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0T Veloce Q4

• Price – R1,188,900
• Power – 206kW/400Nm
• Towing capacity – 2,300kg
• Wading depth – 480mm