How Strong Is the Ford Everest’s Engine for Highway and Desert Use?

Saudi Arabia: The Ford Everest 2026 comes with two engine choices that cover everything from daily Riyadh commutes to long weekend drives toward Abha or Al‑Ula. Whether you prefer petrol punch or diesel efficiency, Ford has thought this through for the Saudi driver.

Two Engines

The base engine is a 2.0‑liter turbocharged diesel producing 170 hp and 405 Nm of torque, paired with a 6‑speed automatic transmission. For a family SUV used mostly around Jeddah or Dammam, this is an ideal and sufficient power. But the real highlight of the Everest is the 2.3‑liter turbocharged petrol engine, which churns out 296 hp and 420 Nm, paired with a best‑in‑class 10‑speed automatic gearbox. That combination is not common at this price point in the mid‑size 7‑seater segment, and it shows when you accelerate on the highway or climb through Al‑Hada mountain roads.

Engine	Capacity	Power	Torque	Gearbox	Drivetrain	Fuel Economy
Turbo Diesel	2.0 L	170 hp	405 Nm	6-speed auto	4WD	14.9 km/L
Turbo Petrol	2.3 L	296 hp	420 Nm	10-speed auto	4WD	11.9 km/L

Special gearbox

The 10‑speed gearbox on the petrol Everest offers a huge advantage. Its shorter intermediate gears mean sharper acceleration when you need to overtake on the highway between Riyadh and Taif. The tall top gear means the engine stays relaxed at cruise speeds, which reduces cabin noise considerably. Most rivals in this segment, the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, use 6‑ or 7‑speed gearboxes. The Everest offers more ratios to work with, and you can feel the difference when driving with the entire family on board.

Diesel And Petrol Choice

If you drive mostly in the city, the diesel Everest makes sense financially. At a mileage of 14–15 km/l, it is noticeably more suitable, and that 405 Nm of torque handles city driving and urban expressways without complaint. The engine is quieter than older diesel units, and the refinement level has improved significantly with this generation.

The petrol variant, though, is a different kind of machine. With 296 hp, it definitely feels quite powerful for a seven‑seat, body‑on‑frame SUV. It pulls cleanly from low revs, the 10‑speed gearbox keeps it in the right gear almost always, and on longer drives it barely feels like work.

Both engines come with 4WD as standard, and the Everest offers selectable Terrain Management with dedicated modes for sand, mud, grass, and rock. For Saudi buyers planning any off‑road weekend near Tabuk or the edges of the Empty Quarter, this is not just a feature; it makes a lot of real difference by working precisely the way you wish.

Conclusion 

The Ford Everest has what it takes to offer owners a real experience on Saudi roads. This American SUV brings a thoughtful engine lineup that covers both practical daily use and proper performance for family road trips. Whether you choose the efficient diesel or the powerful petrol, the platform underneath is the same tough ladder‑frame chassis shared with the Ford Ranger. For all those buyers in the market right now who want real capability without compromise, the Everest powertrain is strong and robust on its own.

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