2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak review

Ford has transplanted one of the best-known nameplates in the Ranger world onto its strong-selling four-wheel drive twin.

The 2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak was initially revealed for New Zealand, but has been added to the local line-up as a slightly cheaper, slightly more rugged alternative to the range-topping Everest Platinum.

Along with its striking orange exterior paint finish, the Everest Wildtrak features a unique grille and front bumper, and some unique badging. Bolder Grey – no, that’s not a typo – is used for the wheel arch mouldings, fender vents, and mirror caps.

20-inch Asphalt Matt Black machined-face alloy wheels with all-season tyres are standard, while 18-inch Bolder Grey alloy wheels in all-terrain tyres are a no-cost option.

There are no hardware changes under the skin, save for the wheels. In other words, you get more luxury and more tech… but no more capability off the beaten track.

It’s a formula that ute buyers love. Does it translate well to the world of family four-wheel drives?

This written review is a companion to the video above. For our impressions of the interior and its drive, click through using the chapters.

How much does the Ford Everest Wildtrak cost?

2024 Ford Everest pricing:

• 2024 Ford Everest Ambiente 4×2 Bi-Turbo: $53,990
• 2024 Ford Everest Ambiente 4WD Bi-Turbo: $58,990
• 2024 Ford Everest Trend 4×2 Bi-Turbo: $61,490
• 2024 Ford Everest Sport 4×2 Bi-Turbo: $63,490
• 2024 Ford Everest Trend 4WD Bi-Turbo: $66,790
• 2024 Ford Everest Sport 4WD V6: $72,490
• 2024 Ford Everest Wildtrak 4WD V6: $74,704
• 2024 Ford Everest Platinum 4WD V6: $79,490

All prices are before on-road costs

The Ford Everest goes head-to-head with rivals from Isuzu, Mitsubishi, and Toyota in the ute-based four-wheel drive sales race. Build your own comparison to see how it stacks up.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Everest Wildtrak is only offered with one engine; the range-topping turbo-diesel V6 offered on high-end versions of the Everest.

It’s mated with four-wheel drive featuring 4H and a 4A mode that can be used on sealed surfaces, along with low-range and a locking rear differential.

What do you get?

Everest Ambiente highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• All-season tyres
• 17-inch steel spare wheel
• LED reflector headlights
• C-shaped LED daytime running lights
• Front fog lights
• LED tail lights
• Black side steps
• Auto power-folding side mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Two front tow hooks
• Steel underbody protection (4×4 model only)
• 10.1-inch Sync4 touchscreen infotainment system
• 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Embedded modem
• Wireless phone charger
• 8-speaker sound system
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Embedded voice assistant
• FordPass with remote start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Five seats (seven seats optional)
• Fabric upholstery
• 8-way manual driver seat adjustment
• 4-way manual front passenger seat adjustment
• Driver floor mat
• Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
• Dash-mounted pull-out cupholders
• Open storage shelf
• Tilt and reach steering wheel adjustment
• Keyless entry with push-button start
• Vinyl console lid
• Electronic parking brake
• Conventional mechanical gear shifter (4×2 only)
• e-Shifter gear shifter (4×4 only)
• Locking rear differential (4×4 only)
• Push-button selectable drive modes

Everest Trend adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with matching spare
• Privacy glass
• Power tailgate
• Heated, power-folding side mirrors with puddle lamps
• 12-inch Sync4 touchscreen infotainment screen
• Seven seats
• Leather-accented upholstery
• 8-way power driver seat
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Driver and passenger floor mats
• Upper glove box
• Off-road screen (4×4 models only)
• Rotary drive mode selector (4×4 models only)
• Sand, Mud/Ruts drive modes

Everest Sport adds:

• 20-inch black alloy wheels with matching spare
• Black exterior accents
• Handsfree power tailgate
• Black 3D bonnet lettering
• 10-speaker sound system
• Unique leather-accented upholstery with ‘SPORT’ embossing
• Unique interior colour accents
• 10-way power driver seat with memory
• 8-way power passenger seat
• Heated and cooled front seats

Everest Wildtrak adds:

• Wildtrak front grille and bumper
• Zone lighting
• Signature Wildtrak badging
• Dual-panel power panoramic roof
• Silver roof rails
• Wildtrak embossed premium seats
• Steel side steps (only for Wildtrak)

Is the Ford Everest Wildtrak safe?

The Ford Everest earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating on the back of an 86 per cent score for adult occupant protection, a 93 per cent score for child occupant protection, a 74 per cent score for vulnerable road user protection, and an 86 per cent safety assist score.

The five-star rating applies to the whole Everest range, and is based on tests carried out on the closely related Ford Ranger ute. For owners of cars built before August 20, 2022, that rating only applies once a software update has been installed by a dealer. 

Standard safety equipment includes:

• 9 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Reverse AEB
• Post-impact braking
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Driver attention alert
• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Reverse camera
• Front, rear parking sensors

How much does the Ford Everest Wildtrak cost to run?

The Everest is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the wider Ford range.

Maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, and the first five services are each priced at $329 under the Blue Oval’s capped-price service program.

CarExpert’s Take on the Ford Everest Wildtrak

The Everest Wildtrak doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but that’s not a bad thing given how solid the base car is.

It’ll no doubt win fans with its eye-catching paint and rugged, well-known Wildtrak name… but that doesn’t mean it’s the smartest pick in the Everest line-up.

If it’s V6 power and a solid equipment list you’re after, the Everest Sport is a smart way to save yourself some money. And if the ultimate in luxury is your goal, the Platinum packs in extra kit like a proper digital driver display.

Have a good look at them before signing on the dotted line.

Click the images for the full gallery

MORE: Everything Ford Everest MORE: Buy a Ford Everest