2025 Ford Everest Sport Review

Striking the Perfect Balance Between Rugged and Refined

When Ford handed me the keys to a crisp white Everest Sport with contrasting black trim, I wasn’t quite prepared for how this SUV would reshape my expectations of what a family-friendly off-roader could be.

The automotive landscape is crowded with SUVs promising to do it all – family hauler during the week, adventure vehicle on weekends. Most fall short in one area or another. Either they’re too focused on off-road prowess at the expense of on-road comfort, or they’re glorified shopping carts with all-wheel drive that wouldn’t dare venture beyond a gravel parking lot.

Ford’s Everest has always occupied an interesting middle ground in this segment. Built on the same platform as the ranger-topping Ranger bakkie, it inherits genuine off-road DNA while wrapping it in a more family-appropriate seven-seat package. The Sport trim level aims to add a dash of visual flair and premium touches without compromising the vehicle’s utilitarian roots.

After spending a week with the Everest Sport – taking it on work and meeting runs, grocery trips, highway sprints, and even a brief off-road excursion – I’ve developed a clear picture of where this vehicle excels and where compromises have been made. The Arctic White paint with black accents on my test vehicle provided the perfect canvas to showcase the Everest Sport’s dual personality: refined enough for urban duties yet rugged enough to tackle adventures beyond the pavement.

First Impressions Matter

The Everest Sport makes a statement even before you climb inside. The Arctic White paint job on my test vehicle created a striking contrast against the black grille, side mirrors, and roof rails. The blacked-out badging and 20-inch alloy wheels further enhance its purposeful stance without drifting into overly aggressive territory.

There’s something inherently appealing about this colour combination – it manages to look both premium and ready for adventure, which perfectly encapsulates what the Everest Sport is all about.

Inside Story: Comfort Meets Practicality

Stepping into the cabin reveals Ford’s commitment to creating a space that balances comfort with functionality. The Sport trim brings leather-accented seats with contrast stitching that look upmarket while remaining family-friendly. The driver’s position offers excellent visibility, and the 8-way power-adjustable seat made finding the perfect driving position effortless. It’s a comfortable place to find yourself.

The second row provides ample space for adults, and the third row, while not quite as spacious, remains usable for kids, teenagers or shorter trips. What impressed me most was how quiet the cabin remained, even at highway speeds – a testament to Ford’s sound insulation efforts.

The 12-inch touchscreen running Ford’s SYNC system sits prominently on the dashboard, offering crisp graphics and relatively intuitive menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity worked flawlessly throughout my week with the vehicle.

On the Road: Smooth Operator

The Everest Sport’s 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engine delivers 154kW and 500Nm of torque – numbers that translate to confident acceleration and effortless highway cruising. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly in most situations, though I noticed occasional hesitation when demanding quick downshifts for overtaking.

What truly stands out is the ride quality. The Everest Sport strikes an impressive balance between comfort and control, soaking up urban imperfections while maintaining composure through corners. It’s no sports car, but it handles with reassuring predictability that belies its size and height.

Off the Beaten Path

While many Everest Sports will spend most of their time navigating suburban streets, Ford hasn’t forgotten about off-road capabilities. The Terrain Management System offers various drive modes, including Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Snow/Gravel, adjusting throttle response and traction control accordingly.

During a brief excursion on some light trails, the Everest Sport demonstrated impressive capability, with the 4WD system providing confident traction. The 800mm wading depth also provides peace of mind when facing water crossings, though I didn’t have the opportunity to test this feature fully.

Practical Considerations

Daily livability is where the Everest Sport really shines. The powered tailgate reveals a generous cargo area that expands dramatically with the third row folded. Throughout the cabin, thoughtful storage solutions abound – from the deep center console to the various cubbies and cup holders.

Fuel economy averaged around 9.2L/100km during my mixed driving, which is reasonable for a vehicle of this size and capability. The 80-liter fuel tank provides a theoretical range of over 800km, making the Everest Sport a capable long-distance cruiser.

The Everest Sport comes well-equipped with driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and autonomous emergency braking. The 360-degree camera system proved invaluable when navigating tight parking spots, though I found the resolution could be much more sharper.

Not Quite Perfect

Despite its many strengths, the Everest Sport isn’t without shortcomings. The third row, while usable, requires some gymnastics to access, and the seats themselves lack the comfort of the first two rows. Some interior plastics lower in the cabin feel out of place in a vehicle at this price point.

The infotainment system, while generally responsive, occasionally suffered from lag when switching between functions. And while the black trim elements look fantastic against the white paint, they do show dust and fingerprints more readily than body-coloured alternatives.

Final Thoughts

The Ford Everest Sport occupies a sweet spot in the midsize SUV market. It offers genuine off-road capability without sacrificing on-road manners, combines practical family-friendly features with handsome styling, and delivers a driving experience that’s both comfortable and engaging.

The white-with-black-trim configuration of my test vehicle particularly impressed, giving the Everest Sport a premium appearance that belies its rugged capabilities. For families seeking a do-it-all vehicle that won’t look out of place at school drop-offs or campgrounds, the Everest Sport makes a compelling case for itself.

It’s not perfect – no vehicle is – but the Everest Sport’s blend of versatility, comfort, and capability makes it easy to overlook its minor shortcomings. In an increasingly crowded SUV market, Ford has created something that genuinely stands out.

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Posted By

Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.