2015 Ford Everest

There are some rumblings about Explorer vs Edge vs Expedition and RWD vs FWD and BOF vs Unitbody in that space. I have not paid close enough attention to really understand what the hints are getting at, but I do believe the idea of Explorer (or another car) taking on the Grand Cherokee more directly was mentioned (i.e. RWD unitbody/hybrid design).

Of course the next Navigator will be a Land Rover beater with unitbody aluminum chassis, so Ford is obviously working to try new things in the chassis department.

Igor

igor said:

There are some rumblings about Explorer vs Edge vs Expedition and RWD vs FWD and BOF vs Unitbody in that space. I have not paid close enough attention to really understand what the hints are getting at, but I do believe the idea of Explorer (or another car) taking on the Grand Cherokee more directly was mentioned (i.e. RWD unitbody/hybrid design).

Of course the next Navigator will be a Land Rover beater with unitbody aluminum chassis, so Ford is obviously working to try new things in the chassis department.

Igor

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Maybe this can be modified as a Lincoln-exclusive product

igor said:

There are some rumblings about Explorer vs Edge vs Expedition and RWD vs FWD and BOF vs Unitbody in that space. I have not paid close enough attention to really understand what the hints are getting at, but I do believe the idea of Explorer (or another car) taking on the Grand Cherokee more directly was mentioned (i.e. RWD unitbody/hybrid design).

Of course the next Navigator will be a Land Rover beater with unitbody aluminum chassis, so Ford is obviously working to try new things in the chassis department.

Igor

Click to expand...

I have a Grand Cherokee now and I would never consider any current Ford products. I'm not biased and I drove both the edge and explorer when I was shopping; however, they didn't hold a candle to my car. If they brought over the Everest it would be the only Ford product I would consider.

CadillacBoy87 said:

I have a Grand Cherokee now and I would never consider any current Ford products. I'm not biased and I drove both the edge and explorer when I was shopping; however, they didn't hold a candle to my car. If they brought over the Everest it would be the only Ford product I would consider.

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That is the point I am making. The Edge and Explorer play it well against the like of Highlander and Pilot, but the Grand Cherokee has upped the game, in looks, ride, and refinement. There were rumblings that Ford is paying attention and planning to address that situation in a future release, but as I said, I have not been listening intently enough to know details.

Ford has a great image and can easily command premium prices when they choose. A NA Everest with the right mix of equipment and engines could easily compete in the Grand Cherokee's range of 30-60K (outside of the SRT). That said, based on photos the Everest does not have the level of detail, outside or in, that the 2014+ Grand Cherokee does, so there would probably need to be some changes. The same is true to an even greater extent for the Trailblazer. But it's completely possible for Ford to address this if they wanted to sell it in NA. And Ford's 3.5L would likely be necessary for a base engine, or the 2.3T I suppose. The EcoBoost V-6 would be a great premium engine option, and they need an 8AT as well. But we won't be getting this vehicle in any form, of that I am sure.

This was debated in detail at FIN. The problem with the like of Trailblazer, and Everest is that they are built to much lower standard. The upgrades necessary to make them ready for mature markets like US and EU are substantial -- and even then would likely not be as refined as the GC.

igor said:

This was debated in detail at FIN. The problem with the like of Trailblazer, and Everest is that they are built to much lower standard. The upgrades necessary to make them ready for mature markets like US and EU are substantial -- and even then would likely not be as refined as the GC.

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Speaking of, what platform does the Everest use? The (global) Ranger platform? Based on the technology available and so on, it looks like something that could compete with a Land Cruiser Prado, which would seemingly be sufficient for the NA market. But seeing as we don't have it here it's difficult to say. Either way it seems to be more refined aesthetically than the Trailblazer is, which looks rather cheap in comparison. I still wonder where a few such SUVs could fit in the American market and greater NA. The Grand Cherokee and 4Runner are the only midsize "trucks" left. The market has obviously shifted away from SUVs that are trucks out of convenience, but based on Grand Cherokee (and even 4Runner, to an extent) sales there's a market for ruggedly elegant SUVs in the 30-60K range.

It's not just another average typical SUV, its a purpose built go anywhere very hardy tough Aussie designed car not sold to the rest of the world.


Yes it sits on the Ford Ranger platform, the go anywhere Aussie designed Ranger is the safest car in Europe that money can buy, top ranked No1 in NCAP crash tests, although the Everest is not sold in the EU.

That would be a fun vehicle to mix with the Raptor parts bin for a Bronco.

Nice Durango