In the global 4×4 market, the Toyota Land Cruiser has reigned for decades, particularly with its long-term versions for both families and professionals. But some challengers are stepping up with solid arguments, starting with the Ford Everest, a large SUV still unknown in America, but very popular in Asia, Oceania, and Africa. And this year, Ford is making a big splash with an extreme variant: the Everest Tremor, unveiled at the Liwa Festival in the Middle East.
Based on the ultra-robust platform of the Ford Ranger pickup, this SUV adopts the configuration of a true off-roader, without abandoning its DNA as a spacious 7-seat family vehicle. In Tremor version, it’s equipped with a 355-horsepower 2.7 EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine, all-wheel drive with differential lock, and Bilstein suspension, all mounted on all-terrain tires. It’s not a Ranger Raptor… but almost.
Problem: despite obvious potential for the American market, this ultra-high-performance gasoline version isn’t planned for the United States. And that’s a shame, because between the Land Cruiser becoming expensive, rare Asian alternatives, and family SUVs that are often too bland, the Everest Tremor could appeal to American customers seeking versatility and authenticity. Could Ford America change its mind? Only time will tell.
A 4×4 Unknown in America but Built to Rival the Legends
On paper, the Ford Everest Tremor has nothing to envy from segment leaders. Built on the Ford Ranger platform, it inherits a body-on-frame architecture that guarantees robustness and off-road capabilities. It’s a proven recipe that Toyota has applied for decades with the Land Cruiser or Fortuner, and which still makes the difference today compared to conventional unibody SUVs.
Available in markets like Australia, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the Everest is designed as a hardcore family 4×4 SUV, capable of taking up to 7 passengers over the most hostile terrain. And while its name remains unknown in America, its mechanical base is quite familiar: it’s exactly that of the Ranger, a pickup that Americans know well, particularly in its Raptor version.
The Tremor Version: A Supercharged Everest for Real Off-Road
At the Liwa International Festival in the Middle East, Ford unveiled the most extreme variant of its large SUV: the Ford Everest Tremor EcoBoost. This version openly embraces its off-road orientation with refined technical specifications.
Under the hood, there’s a turbocharged 2.7 EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine developing 355 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission, complemented by a transfer case with low-range gearing and a rear differential lock, essential for serious off-roading.
But the element that makes all the difference is its specific Bilstein suspension, designed to absorb the worst impacts while improving comfort on rough terrain. The 17-inch wheels are mounted with 33-inch General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires, a coherent choice for off-road enthusiasts.
7 Real Seats, Comfort and Equipment: The Ultimate Family Off-Roader
While the Everest Tremor claims off-road pedigree, it doesn’t forget its role as a highly versatile family SUV. Capable of accommodating up to 7 passengers, it offers a spacious and modular cabin, substantial cargo volume, and modern technological equipment, often close to that of the high-end Ranger.
Depending on versions, it can include a multimedia system with central touchscreen, customizable digital cluster, numerous driving aids, not to mention off-road assistance features such as adaptive driving modes, hill descent control, or 360° camera.
This positioning between utilitarian robustness and family comfort recalls that of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, but with a more audacious approach in design and mechanics.
US Arrival Desired… But Still Uncertain
Despite its obvious qualities, the Ford Everest Tremor won’t arrive in America immediately. The V6 gasoline version is reserved for the Middle East, and only diesel variants are offered in other markets. In America, Ford focuses mainly on the Ranger and Bronco to meet 4×4 enthusiasts’ expectations.
But things could change quickly. The Everest platform is already compatible with plug-in hybrid powertrains, as proven by the recent Ranger PHEV. Partial electrification could make this model more compliant with American standards, while allowing it to benefit from federal tax credits or reduced fleet costs, particularly for professionals.
In a context where the Land Cruiser is climbing in price, where 7-seat family SUVs are becoming rarer and more sanitized, a Ford Everest PHEV could fill a void in the American market, offering space, real off-road capabilities, and reduced taxation all at once.
