SENDING drive to half the number of wheels does not mean the debutant rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Ford Everest has a smaller hill to climb.

If anything wiping $5000 off the pricetag of the equivalent all-wheel-drive (AWD) model must only heighten the Everest’s pitch to families who, in the absence of a current Ford Territory replacement, could need the size and space of an SUV but without off-road capability and an inflated pricetag.

Singularly available – for now – in middle-tier seven-seat Trend specification, buyers can for the same price as an all-wheel-drive Ambiente score extra equipment in lieu of any off-road capability.

It is an equation few rivals offer, not least the Toyota Prado that has been at the centre of Ford’s benchmarking and comparison testing. Can it take the Everest to new heights?

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