Steer the Everest and you’ll be treated to a taut and tight handler.  It’s no Fast and the Furious dragster, but it still turns like how Vin Diesel should: with masculinity and poise.  Each time you bring it into a corner, it simply just asks you to push harder.  There’s no lack of confidence behind the driver’s seat, plus it’s comfortable and easy to adjust driving for, even if you’re accustomed to driving a plush sedan.  The brakes bite well too, with a pedal that’s nicely modulated. 

The Everest’s got more acting dimensions than Keanu Reeves—delivering worthy on-road performance with impeccable off-road ones.  Four-wheel drive isn’t permanent (good for fuel economy), but it can be shifted on the fly via a rotary dial on the center console.  And despite the Ranger pick-up origins, the ride’s well-balanced, neither sickeningly soft nor dental-filling shaking hard.  As Goldilocks would put it: the ride feels just right.

As the second generation model to bear the name Everest, Ford should have had the upper hand in the pick-up based SUV market.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t able to capitalize on the pioneering trend set by its forbearer.  Though remarkably capable, comfortable, practical and easy to own, the P 1.590 million price tag would make you wish this SUV offered something much more unique and novel.  Though it can easily trounce its rivals in drivetrain refinement, safety and performance, by sticking too much to a proven design formula, it managed to shoot itself on the foot.  It’s like Superman Returns—a supposed revival of the Superman franchise, which ended up nodding too much to the 1980’s pseudo-classic.  Fortunately for the Ford Everest, this is still one vehicle that’s easy to recommend to friends or family.  As for Superman Returns, it’s a movie that remains unwatchable, even on HBO.

Gauges are clear and easy to use (top), but third row seats still don't have spilt-fold capability or even head rests!

5-speed automatic is good, but isn't the gear indicator located on the wrong side of the lever?