Sibling rivalry: Which Ford Everest V6 to choose
The Ford Everest is distinguished from other Adventure SUVs in various ways, such as having 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel variants in its line-up. But should buyers who need all that torque in their lives opt for a Platinum, or save money and get a Wildtrak instead?
It’s hard to believe the 3rd-gen Ford Everest has been around for more than 2 years. Like its predecessor, the Ford is still battling to knock the (now decade-old) Toyota Fortuner off its perch atop the sales charts despite the fact it’s a comparatively more advanced model than its Japanese rival. FMCSA doesn’t see it that way, though: it suggests the Ranger-based 7-seater is an alternative to the Land Cruiser Prado.

Out of the starting blocks, at its launch, Ford went straight for the jugular by introducing a halo model that the Fortuner (and indeed the pricier new Prado) range so painfully lacks: a V6 turbodiesel engine, then solely fitted to the flagship Platinum derivative, which now retails for R1 278 000 (January 2025).
Six months later Ford added another V6-engined variant, but in Wildtrak trim. The variant, the subject of my recent Ford Everest Wildtrak (2024) Living with it article, is listed at R1 199 500 (January 2025).

Under the skin, the sibling Ford Everest V6 derivatives are indistinguishable, which means both feature a maximum power output of 184 kW and 600 Nm of torque from a throaty 3.0-litre mill paired with a silky 10-speed auto transmission and permanent 4WD, deployable through 6 selectable traction modes.
The only real point of mechanical distinction is the Platinum’s choice of footwear – more “streetable” or “catwalk-friendly” 21-inch alloy rims with 275/45 tyres against the Wildtrak’s 20s (on 255/55s).

Although the variance in rubber size, amounting to a few millimetres horizontally and vertically, is seemingly insignificant, it’s one of the few tools available to Ford to characterise the allegedly more-adventure focused Wildtrak differently from the more urbane (by FMCSA’s admission) Platinum.
(To complicate matters that little more, dedicated all-terrain 18-inch tyres (255/65) are an optionally available factory-fit for both versions).
Platinum swops colourful stitching for more spec
It’s inside, where, mainly invisible owing to unseen tech features, the Platinum pulls off its more premium billing with greater credibility. Not that the Wildtrak is wanting, but then at 7 figures – it really shouldn’t.

The Ford Everest 3.0TD V6 4WD Wildtrak‘s long list of standard features includes dual-zone climate control, wireless charging pad and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, keyless entry, leather seats (of with the front ones are electrically adjustable), a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, automatic wipers and LED headlights with high-beam assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning, an electrically-powered tailgate, tow bar, dual sunroofs, reverse camera and FordPass telematics connectivity.
The Ford Everest 3.0TD V6 4WD Platinum (of which the front of the cabin is shown below) adds a 12.4-inch digital cluster, a 12-speaker B&O audio system, heated/vented front seats (with a memory function for the driver), a heated 2nd row and an electrically operated 3rd row of seats.

For the R78k saved by foregoing a Platinum, Wildtrak buyers also lose out on a heated ‘wheel, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, automatic parking and trailer reversing assistance.
Of these – at a stretch, the climatic seats offer a welcome respite in extreme climates, but their absence is hardly a deal-breaker. The rest of the Platinum’s “over and above” features are, well, nice-to-haves.
Everest V6 decision time: Wildtrak or Platinum?

Unequivocally, the Wildtrak’s biggest appeal lies in the availability of a V6 engine at a marginally lower price. Ford could have specced it lower, say in Sport grade (which is solely available in conjunction with a 157 kW 2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbodiesel powerplant for R1 079 500 (January 2025), but had the V6-powered Wildtrak been any cheaper, nobody would have given the Platinum flagship a 2nd look.
All of this leaves the Ford Everest 3.0TD V6 4WD Wildtrak in no man’s land as an almost accidental prodigy. It’s the girl next door rather than the cheerleader; the better-looking bridesmaid than the bride: both V6 variants are equally talented, but like for like – and, essentially, feature-per-rand – it’s hard to make a case for the Platinum when compared to the same-cylindered, similar-performing Wildtrak.
David Taylor discusses the finalists of the 2025 CarsAwards Adventure SUV category:
Only when viewed against the closer-priced Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which starts at R1 296 300 (January 2025) and, crucially, lacks a V6 engine in its line-up (unlike its upcoming Lexus GX cousin), does the Ford Everest 3.0TD V6 4WD Platinum start to make more sense, rationally and financially.
We’ll wrap it up thus: Is the Ford Everest Platinum a knuckle-dragging Ford faithful’s fumble, or a thinking man’s Prado? I’ve told you which one I’d have, now put your money down and pick your path.
Find a new/used Ford Everest listed for sale on Cars.co.za
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