Ford Everest vs GWM H6 GT

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Ford Everest in South Africa

Ford Everest

3.0TD V6 Platinum 10AT 4WD Diesel 10-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,340,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 184 kW 🔧 600 Nm ⛽ 11.8 km/l
VS
GWM H6 GT in South Africa

GWM H6 GT

2.0T Hybrid LT Hybrid Current
ZAR 769,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW 🔧 420 Nm ⛽ 16.1 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Everest
Fuel Economy H6 GT
🛡 Safety H6 GT
📦 Practicality Everest
🔑 Ownership H6 GT
H6 GT starts ZAR 125,100 cheaper Everest from ZAR 825,000 · H6 GT from ZAR 699,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Everest H6 GT
Maximum Power 184 kW @ 3250 rpm 150 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque 600 Nm 420 Nm
Engine Size 2993 cc 1999 cc
Claimed Mileage 11.8 km/l 16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance 226 mm 192 mm
Boot / Load Bay - 460 l
Airbags 6 6
Kerb Weight 2450 kg 1740 kg
Seating Capacity - -
Warranty 4 years / 120 000 km 5 Years / 100,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Both Everest and H6 GT are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Everest +21 pts
Efficiency H6 GT +15 pts
Safety H6 GT +49 pts
Practicality Everest +27 pts
Ownership H6 GT +31 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Everest

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

H6 GT

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

Everest

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

H6 GT

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Everest H6 GT
Model Introduced Year 2015 2023
Generation Currently sold Everest belongs to the latest generation with enhanced comfort and safety systems First generation, derived from the regular H6 platform but with bodywork, suspension calibration, powertrain and cabin treatment differentiated for performance positioning.
Facelift History Major generational update in 2022 with improved safety, technology, and design First-generation H6 GT launched in South Africa in 2023. No significant facelift to date; software updates have refined the hybrid system calibration and adjusted the chassis damping mapping for SA road conditions.
Facelift Launched Since 2022 2023
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue Crystal White, Hamilton Black, Cosmos Grey, Mars Red and Atlantic Blue. Two-tone roof option pairs with white, silver and red base colours.
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0TD V6 Platinum 10AT 4WD -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active published
Segment Large SUV SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 2450 kg 1740 kg
Spec Everest H6 GT
Drivetrain Layout Full-Time Four Wheel Drive Front Engine Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available Not Applicable No
Transfer Case Confirmed 4WD derivative Not Applicable
Differential Lock Not Applicable No
Paddle Shifters Not Applicable Not Applicable
Engine Position Front longitudinal Front Transverse
Gearbox 10-Speed Automatic DHT Hybrid Transmission
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable 3.73
Number of Gears 10 2
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic
Clutch Type Not Applicable Wet Multi-Disc
Gear Shift Indicator Not Applicable Yes
Drivetrain 4WD / AWD Front Wheel Drive
4WD Engagement Available Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range Available Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Available where 4WD low range is fitted Not Applicable
4WD Selector Confirmed 4WD derivative Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Not Applicable Not Applicable
Drive Mode Selector 4WD/off-road drive mode support Yes
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Gearbox Type 10-Speed Automatic DHT Hybrid Transmission
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Available where 4WD low range is fitted Not Applicable
Axle Layout 4x4 FWD
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds 10 2
Gear Shift Type 10-Speed Automatic Automatic
Differential Type Front - Not Available
Differential Type Rear - Not Available
Reverse Gear Warning - Yes
Steering Turns Lock to Lock - 14.7:1
Transfer Case Guard - Not Available

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

H6 GT leads by 7 points

Both Everest and H6 GT are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Winner 73 /100
Lead 7 points
Data 97% confidence
73
#1 Winner

H6 GT

97% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Practicality 65
Performance 70
Efficiency 67
Safety 94
Practicality 65
Ownership 65
Leads by 7 points
66
#2

Everest

77% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Practicality 92 Check Ownership 34
Performance 91
Efficiency 52
Safety 45
Practicality 92
Ownership 34
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Everest +21 Efficiency H6 GT +15 Safety H6 GT +49 Practicality Everest +27 Ownership H6 GT +31

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

H6 GT

Performance 70/100
Efficiency 67/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 65/100
Ownership 65/100

Everest

Performance 91/100
Efficiency 52/100
Safety 45/100
Practicality 92/100
Ownership 34/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM H6 GT wins with 73 pts vs 66 pts for Everest

In structured scoring, H6 GT emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Everest may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the H6 GT edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Everest 52 vs H6 GT 67. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Everest 45, H6 GT 94. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Everest 34, H6 GT 65. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Everest 92, H6 GT 65. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Everest 91, H6 GT 70. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The H6 GT edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The H6 GT scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Everest and H6 GT in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Everest scores 91 vs 70.

Efficiency: Everest scores 52 vs 67.

Safety: Everest scores 45 vs 94.

Practicality: Everest scores 92 vs 65.

Ownership: Everest scores 34 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives H6 GT the advantage in this comparison.