VEHICLE
FALLING
FOR THE
FORD EVEREST XLT
BY BYRON LUKAS
FROM CAPE TOWN’ S CITY LIGHTS TO KNYSNA’ S COASTAL CURVES, THE FORD EVEREST XLT 2.0L BI-TURBO DIESEL DEMONSTRATES IT’ S MORE THAN A CAPABLE SUV. IT’ S COMFORT, CONFIDENCE, AND QUIET POWER ALL IN ONE UNFORGETTABLE DRIVE.
Standing at the Engen garage on the N2 in Cape Town with a full tank and a solid playlist, I could already hear the engine purring as if it knew an adventure was coming. And what an adventure it was. The Ford Everest XLT 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel exudes quiet confidence. It isn’ t loud or showy.
With 154 kW and 500 Nm of torque, this SUV doesn’ t just cruise highways; it owns them. The ten-speed automatic gearbox shifts so smoothly you hardly notice the change, like a dance partner who always keeps the rhythm.
THE ROAD TO ROMANCE
Leaving Cape Town before dawn, I joined the N2 with a sense of anticipation in the air. The city lights receded, leaving only me, the Everest,
and an open road stretching towards the Garden Route. The cabin was whisper-quiet, even at higher speeds. Ford’ s noise-cancellation insulation proves its worth.
My first stop was Riviersonderend. As I stepped out to stretch my legs, I realised how spoiled I’ d become. The Everest’ s seats had set a new standard for comfort. Plush, adjustable, with lumbar support that boosts posture and mood, they make every kilometre feel effortless. Inside, the Everest XLT feels like business class on wheels.
The 12-inch SYNC ® 4 touchscreen takes centre stage – sharp, responsive, and fully equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’ s a wireless charging pad, multiple USB ports, and enough storage to hide an entire picnic basket( which I may or may not have done later).
72 INBOUND SA / DECEMBER 2025