Launched in Thailand earlier this month, the Everest will go on sale Down Under from September first and receive minor exterior changes, with the biggest additions coming underneath the bonnet on the specification front.

Starting the range off, the Ambiente comes equipped with Ford’ SYNC 3 infotainment system incorporating satellite navigation, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster displays, cruise control, projector-type headlights with halogen daytime running bulbs, Ebony interior trim, folding electric mirrors, a 10-speaker sound system, reverse camera with rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and one-touch electric windows all around.

Upping the ante, the Trend comes with auto-levelling headlights, 18-inch alloys, auto on/off wipers, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror, SYNC 3 with added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Adaptive Cruise Control, eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s chair, electric tailgate, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.

While the Trend foregoes the Ambiente’s cloth seats for leather trim as well as a leather wrapped gear lever, buyers have the option of retaining the former as a no-cost option, although ticking this box does remove the electrically adjustable driver’s seat. In addition, the Trend comes with seven seats as standard whereas the Ambiente only offers five with the option of adding the third row for an additional $1 000 (R9 786), while a tow-bar can be had also for an extra $1 000 (R9 786) capital outlay.

Sitting at the top of the range, the Titanium rides on 20-inch alloys but with the option of reverting to 18-inch rollers at no extra cost, and further adds a leather trimmed handbrake, chrome door handles, mirror caps and side steps, semi-autonomous Park Assist, heated front seats, Blind Sport Monitor, eight-way electrically adjustable passenger’s seat, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and interior ambient lighting.

As mentioned, the Everest has undergone a powerplant re-arrangement with the previous 2.2 TDCI falling away completely, leaving the 3.2 TDCI as base engine and the Ranger Raptor’s 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel as the new flagship. Available on the Ambiente and Trend, the 3.2 still serves up 147kW/470Nm and comes mated as standard to a six-speed automatic gearbox, with the option of rear-or-four-wheel drive.

Delivering 157kW/500Nm, the twin-charged 2.0 TDCI can be specified on the Trend in two-and-four-wheel drive configurations, and solely with the latter drivetrain layout on the Titanium. Like the Raptor, the only transmission option is a 10-speed automatic co-developed with General Motors.

While Ford Motor Company South Africa has not yet confirmed local availability and indeed spec of the Everest, expect it to arrive shortly after the Ranger next year with production, unlike the Thai-sourced Australian model, taking place at Ford’s Silverton Plant outside Pretoria.

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Additional reporting and images from caradvice.com.au