The Everest was sighted in Colorado wearing manufacturer plates, fueling rumors despite its overlap with the Bronco
- The Everest prototype was spotted in Dillon, Colorado with testing equipment.
- SUV currently sold in Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
- Colorado’s altitude makes it a global testing ground for durability checks.
Some SUVs are born from trucks, but not all of them find their way to every market. Take, for instance, the Ford Everest, a rugged, ladder-on-frame SUV based on the global Ranger. It’s been sold for years across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, yet never officially made it to the US. Which is why a recent sighting in Colorado has caught our attention.
Spotted In The Wild
Photos of the ladder-frame SUV surfaced on Reddit, sparking speculation among Ford fans. The Everest in question carried manufacturer plates, just like other vehicles in the same lot, a common sight in Colorado where automakers regularly test prototypes. Inside, a laptop docking station and additional equipment provided another clue that this wasn’t just a privately imported curiosity but part of a development program.
Review: The Ford Everest Is The Ranger SUV You Can’t Buy In America
The white SUV wore a shortened off-road bumper and sat on black alloy wheels wrapped in chunky tires reminiscent of the Ranger Tremor. Inside, the leather seats with contrasting stitching carried a Platinum badge, pointing to a more upscale trim.
If we had to guess, we’d say the Everest’s appearance was likely tied to Ford’s global testing routine rather than a secret US launch plan. Colorado, with its mix of high elevation and unpredictable weather, has long been a proving ground for emissions and durability testing. Nevertheless, other sightings of Everest prototypes in Michigan and along Interstate 70 only added fuel to the speculation.
What Exactly Is The Everest?
The Everest, also known as the Endeavour in India, is a ladder-frame SUV based on the Ranger. It shares the same front-end design with the pickup, but comes with a shorter wheelbase, a more compact body, and a three-row layout inside the cabin.
More: Ford Everest Bi-Turbo Sport Is Two Things Americans Can’t Have With The Ranger
The first Everest arrived in 2003, followed by a second generation in 2015 and the current model in 2022. Built in Thailand, it serves markets across Southeast Asia, Oceania, South Africa, South America, and the Middle East.
Depending on the region, it can be had with diesel or petrol powertrains, rear or four-wheel drive, and varying trim levels. The most capable of the bunch is Australia’s Everest Tremor, packing a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, upgraded suspension, 32-inch all-terrain tires, and plenty of rugged exterior touches.
Could It Come To America?
Theoretically, the Everest would make for a fitting rival to the Toyota 4Runner in the States. But Ford already has the four-door Bronco filling that niche, and it’s built on a similar ladder-frame architecture. Thus, bringing the Everest across the Pacific risks overlap with a model that’s already well established.
There are also practical hurdles that must be overcome. To meet US safety and emissions standards, the Everest would require significant changes, and since it’s built in Thailand, it would be subject to steep import tariffs. The Michigan-built Bronco avoids those issues entirely, making it obvious why Dearborn’s focus remains on the models already in its American lineup.
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