Ford Everest 2018 Review

The mid-size 7-seater SUV market in Malaysia is fiercely competitive, as family users require ample seating space while also valuing daily driving fuel efficiency and practicality of configurations. The 2018 Ford Everest 2.0L Trend AWD AT is specifically designed to meet this niche demand. It is equipped with a 2.0T diesel turbocharged engine paired with a full-time four-wheel-drive system, and it emphasizes rich safety configurations and flexible space as its core selling points. We conducted a practical test drive to verify whether it can balance the needs of urban commuting and light off-road driving, providing a well-rounded choice for family users.

Approaching the car body, the 2018 Everest Trend maintains the rugged style of a tough SUV with overall strong and squared lines. The front face features a large trapezoidal grille, complemented by chrome accents and sharp LED + xenon combination headlights on both sides; daytime running lights come standard and are highly recognizable when illuminated. The side profile features a straight waistline extending from the front to the rear, matched with 18-inch alloy wheels and 265/60 R18 tires, ensuring both off-road capability and a balanced look. At the rear, vertically aligned tail lights complement the roof spoiler, and a silver skid plate is integrated into the lower rear bumper, further enhancing its off-road appeal. Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard, making daily parking more convenient.

Opening the door, the interior adopts a dark-themed color palette paired with silver accents, with an overall simple and practical layout. The center console is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen supporting the Sound Plus function, and the 10-speaker system ensures quality audio performance. The instrument cluster features dual 4-inch TFT display screens, clearly showing core information such as speed and fuel consumption. Regarding materials, the top of the dashboard is covered with soft-touch materials, offering a decent tactile feel. In terms of configurations, the front seats are electrically adjustable in six directions and available for both driver and passenger; dual-zone automatic climate control comes standard, and the rear has independent air conditioning vents for third-row passengers. Keyless entry, push-start button, rain-sensing wipers, and electrically folding rearview mirrors are all equipped, providing strong convenience for daily use.

In terms of space performance, the body measures 4903mm/1869mm/1837mm in length, width, and height respectively, with a wheelbase of 2850mm, ensuring sufficient space for the three-row seating layout. The second-row seats support a 60:40 split-fold design, with ample legroom; for a passenger of 175cm, the distance from their knees to the front seat remains about two fist-widths. The third-row seats have a 50:50 split-fold design, suitable for children or short-distance rides for adults. The trunk offers 450L of storage in standard configuration, which can be expanded by folding the third-row seats, meeting family storage needs. The interior provides abundant storage spaces, including door panel storage on front and rear doors and a central armrest compartment, all of which can accommodate daily items. The front-row also includes a 220V/230V power outlet for external devices, adding convenience.

Starting the engine, the noise level of the 2.0T diesel turbocharged engine is within an acceptable range, and vibrations during idling are minimal. This engine delivers a maximum power of 213PS and maximum torque output between 1750-2500rpm, paired with an automatic transmission for smooth power delivery. During daily driving, the initial acceleration is responsive, and the turbo activates promptly, making mid- and low-speed overtaking relatively easy. Even at high speeds of up to 100km/h, there remains adequate reserve power for further acceleration. Switching between different driving modes causes slight adjustments in power output, while the full-time four-wheel-drive system provides better traction on slippery roads or light off-road terrains. With a minimum ground clearance of 225mm, the vehicle offers superior off-road capabilities compared to urban SUVs.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the combination of front double-wishbone independent suspension and rear solid axle suspension balances handling and off-road needs. During regular urban driving, the suspension filters out most minor bumps, and handles speed bumps crisply. When cornering at high speeds, body roll is well-controlled, and the steering is precise with minimal play. The braking system features ventilated disc brakes at both the front and rear, providing linear brake pedal feedback and stable vehicle dynamics during emergency braking. In terms of fuel consumption, the real-world combined fuel consumption is around 8-9L/100km, and the 80L fuel tank capacity allows for a longer range, making it suitable for long-distance travel.

Regarding ride comfort, the seats are well-padded and ensure that long drives are less tiring; the sound insulation is decent, with wind and road noise kept at a comparable level within its class during high-speed driving. In terms of safety features, 7 airbags (driver and passenger, front-side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, knee airbag), ESP stability control, lane change assist, forward collision warning, hill-start assist, and more are all standard, providing a high level of safety.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2018 Ford Everest 2.0L Trend AWD AT lie in its balanced performance: its rugged exterior aligns with its SUV positioning, rich configurations meet daily needs, the three-row seating is suitable for family use, the 2.0T diesel engine strikes a balance between power and fuel efficiency, and the full-time four-wheel-drive system offers mild off-road capability. Compared with models in the same class, its safety features and space performance rank above average, and its price of RM228,888 makes it a cost-effective choice over the top-spec Titanium version (RM268,888). It is particularly suitable for practical and versatile family users, especially those who frequently accommodate multiple passengers or occasionally engage in light off-road driving.

In summary, the 2018 Everest Trend is a versatile family SUV with no significant shortcomings. It excels in urban commuting, family outings, and light off-road scenarios. If you require seven-seat space, prioritize safety features, and have a certain demand for off-road capability, this car is worth considering.