Ford will soon introduce the refreshed Equator SUV overseas. The Equator sits above the Ford Everest (Endeavour) in the American brand's international line-up, and is built in China at the JMC-Ford JV plant. The biggest change to the large SUV is that it now comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain option.

1. Ford Equator could get the Evos' 27-inch infotainment
2. Equator PHEV combines 150hp, 1.5-litre engine with 82hp motor

Ford Equator SUV: what’s new?

Ford is yet to officially unveil the Equator SUV, but pictures that have surfaced online gives us an idea of what all will be new.

The refreshed Equator gets a smaller grille, a sleeker-looking LED light setup and new intakes in the front bumper. At the rear, it gets a full-width LED light setup and a new-look rear bumper. In profile, the SUV looks similar to the outgoing model, apart from the new alloy wheel design. Interior pictures of the updated Equator are not out yet, so it remains to be seen if Ford adds the large 27-inch infotainment screen that is seen on the Evos crossover in some markets.

Ford Equator SUV powertrain details

Apart from visual design tweaks, the SUV now gets a plug-in hybrid powertrain option as well, which combines a 150hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine, with an 82hp electric motor and a CATL-sourced battery pack for a total output of 218hp. It also gets a 170hp, 260Nm, 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol powerplant; the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine has been discontinued.

Ford Equator SUV India launch plan

Post parting ways with Mahindra, Ford was evaluating its own C-segment SUV for India based on the Territory, which shares its platform with the Equator. But with Ford exiting India, the new C-segment SUV did not see further development.