If you’d told me three years ago that I’d willingly endure seven hours of traffic after landing from an international flight just to drive a colossal SUV to a race, I would’ve laughed in your face. Hard.

But, life has a way of surprising you, and here I was, armed with a Next-Gen Ford Everest Titanium+ 4×4, a packed weekend itinerary, and a vanishing supply of patience.

Picture this: I’d just landed from Bali, Indonesia, and my legs were still aching from days of adventure.

Ford Philippines handed me the keys to their newest beast, and my mission was clear: Survive Manila’s legendary Friday traffic, pick up friends, and make it to Pampanga in time for a 21K endurance race.

Convenience amidst chaos

I was ready for the typical Friday chaos in Manila at 2:00 p.m. I had a very full day planned, including a brief visit to Ayala Malls Manila Bay, a detour to Imus to pick up some friends, and a stopover to Pasig City to pick up my race gear.

The first major test of the Everest was about to begin. However, as soon as I climbed into the driver’s seat, it felt more like a cozy little haven than a vehicle prepared for combat.

I was perfectly cradled by the leather seats. I also had no trouble finding my sweet spot thanks to the eight-way power-adjustable seats.

After finding the right position, the next step is to figure out the right temperature. The Everest’s dual-zone climate control felt like a blessing as I made my way through Manila’s traffic bottlenecks in the afternoon heat. While the city was hot outside, it kept me cool.

During one stop, I connected my iPhone via Apple CarPlay to make multitasking a breeze. I navigated the maps, make some calls, and jam out to Chappell Roan to keep me entertained.

After picking up my friends, my friend Oliver took over the wheel for a bit. It gave me the chance to personalize the vehicle’s system, sync my OPPO Find X8 to Android Auto, and charge up my iPhone with the wireless charger.

Even though the traffic was a nightmare, the cabin felt like home. It was spacious, soothing, and filled with USB ports that made me rest easy, knowing that anyone’s gadgets aren’t going to ran out of juice during our journey.

A car that felt like a co-pilot

Four hours had gone by the time we returned to Pasig. Four. hours. However, I felt hopeful as I slid back into the driver’s seat. The Everest was more than just a vehicle. In the chaos, it was a co-pilot.

Despite its intimidating size, its driving dynamics made traversing Manila’s congested streets and narrow spaces surprisingly manageable.

And when I took the wheels, its power shone through, cutting what could have been another three-hour drive to Pampanga into just two. I’ll admit, knowing all the shortcuts helped, which is why it’s best to familiarize yourself with the roads in your city.

As we cruised down the freeway, my friends began to doze off, completely trusting the ride. I couldn’t blame them. Months ago, I had driven another Everest during back-to-back endurance races (while battling a fever).

My lifeline at the time was the Ford Co-Pilot 360’s array of driver-assist technology. I would rather not acknowledge how many near-misses I avoided thanks to features like Reverse Braking Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Pre-Collision Assist.

I had become confident that nothing, not turmoil, weariness, or exhaustion, could stop me after surviving those challenges.

The uncertainty of fighting a fever combined with a frenzy of back-to-back endurance races had put me to the test in ways I never would have imagined. But every time I held onto the steering wheel, I realized I wasn’t fighting this battle alone.

It’s got your back (and legs)

I’ve put my endurance to the test numerous times, both on the racetrack and on the road, as well as against my personal limitations. And the Everest always seemed like more than just a car. No matter how hectic things were, I had a companion who quietly but effectively had my back.

I would contend that there is no guilt in embracing safety, even though some purists might laugh at depending on these qualities. Features like Lane Centering and Adaptive Cruise Control are more than just practicalities. They give you more self-assurance.

My mind was at ease, allowing me to concentrate on the road, the race, and eventually surviving the chaos of driving in Manila (and beyond).

That also gave my companions the confidence to sleep soundly and consider the Everest to be their home while on the road.

Tough ride for tough wins

I felt a surge of pride as we eventually arrived at Angeles, Pampanga. The Everest had passed its own endurance test with flying colors, even though my tolerance had been pushed to the utmost (and might have even broken once or twice).

I realized that there’s a reason why SUV drivers frequently project a certain confidence for a reason. You can’t help but feel a little invincible when your vehicle is this capable.

It’s more than just the power under the hood; it’s the knowledge that you and your car are prepared to tackle any challenge, no matter how difficult it could be.

That weekend, we accomplished something wonderful. In a back-to-back endurance event, my team and I prevailed, and each individual victory made everything worthwhile. After completing one of the most difficult Spartan Race obstacles in 3 hours and 37 minutes, I finished 15th in my age group in the competitive category.

It wasn’t just about me, though. Oliver and Mark will always remember the moment they crossed the finish line of their first back-to-back races. Also, Kaye placed 10th in her age group in her very first competitive category.

Everyone had their own victories, and it’s safe to say that the Next-Gen Ford Everest’s comfort and dependability contributed to those successes.

A home base for your goals

The Everest became our home base for the weekend, rather than just a vehicle. Its roomy compartment easily accommodated all of our race equipment, drinks and snacks, and luggage. Even as post-race fatigue set in, the air control kept everyone cool and comfortable.

The Next-Gen Ford Everest proved that it is more than just a tough vehicle with its well-planned interiors, sophisticated creature comforts, and driver-assist technology.

It’s the support system you need to make every challenging drive smooth and effortless. Now, you can focus on what’s important: the road ahead and the goals waiting at the finish line.