Is the Ford Territory a good car?

Jul. 02, 2024

Review: Ford Territory 1.8 EcoBoost - CAR Magazine

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Ford South Africa is looking to its reimagined Territory nameplate to reignite its prospects within the local passenger car market. Ian McLaren gained an exclusive first drive ahead of this significant new SUV prior to its local launch.

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Ford Territory 1.8 EcoBoost Trend Fast Facts

Price: TBC
Engine: 1.8-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder, petrol
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
Power: 138 kW @ 5 200 r/min
Torque: 318 N.m @ 1 750 &#; 3 000 r/min
Fuel consumption: 7.0 L/100 km
Emissions: 161 g/km

What are we driving?

Not to be confused with the Australian-sourced, six cylinder-powered Territory that CAR first tested in August , this new version is built for Ford under an agreement with Jiangling Motors (JMC) in Nanchang, China. Broadly mirroring the current Haval H6 in terms of its exterior dimensions, the new Territory will be sold in South Africa in three familiar trim levels; Ambiente, Trend and Titanium, and exclusively powered by a 1.8-litre EcoBoost turbopetrol motor capable of delivering 138 kW and 318 N.m of torque to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Why is the new Ford Territory significant?

The news in early of the termination of talks between Ford and Mahindra for the latter to develop Blue Oval-badged products for so-called emerging markets stifled many of the plans Ford South Africa had for a continued local presence within several key passenger car segments. With products including EcoSport, Fiesta and, indeed, Fiesta Figo having reached the end of their respective production cycles, any plans for replacement offerings were temporarily scuppered.

While the recently introduced Puma is likely to remain a relatively niche offering, Ford is hoping the rebirth of its Territory nameplate will cause a stir within the ever-popular midsize SUV segment.

Related: Ford Territory Spec and Pricing &#; Arriving in Q2

Well-proportioned and with a deceptively large footprint, which is not immediately obvious from photographs, the exterior styling of the Territory is neat if not slightly generic, something likely to be highlighted once it&#;s parked alongside an altogether more novel-looking Puma or modern Everest in a local showroom. Available in a choice of seven exterior colours including a new metallic Moonlight Blue, Ambiente and Trend models are fitted as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, while Titanium derivatives gain 19-inch items.

Bespoke factory-fit enhancements granted to the models destined for South Africa include a reworking of the car&#;s architecture to accommodate a tow hitch (with a 1 310 kg braked towing capacity), as well as several security upgrades, including to the alarm and anti-theft systems.

What does the new Ford Territory cost?

While pricing for the new three-derivative range has yet to be confirmed, Ford South Africa says the starting point for the new Territory will be R610 000.

What are the new Ford Territory&#;s rivals?

Pricing will be key but expect the new Ford Territory to compete within the massively competitive &#; and significant &#; segment that includes everything from the Haval H6 and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, to the entry-level versions of the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

What is the new Ford Territory like to drive?

Behind the wheel, I was grateful for the standard height adjustment on the driver&#;s seat (electric in Titanium specification), as well as a sense of familiarity offered by the Ford-sourced steering wheel and switchgear. Ahead of this, digital instrumentation is incorporated &#; either partially via a 7-inch item or completely in the form of a 12.3-inch screen on the flagship model &#; within a display that stretches (flat) across the facia to include a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While fit and finish seem on par with other modern Ford products, some of the materials used, including the synthetic leather on the door sills, are less on brand.

Related: Comparing the First-Gen Ford Territory to The Next-Gen Model

Indeed, the only element of the Territory&#;s interior that belies its roots &#; and hints at its country of birth &#; is the decidedly cheap-to-the-touch, chrome-look audio system controls presented on the centre console and a rotary transmission lever that pales in comparison to the look and feel of the item found in the modern flagship Everest SUV.

An impressive default ride quality seems unaffected by the fitment of the larger alloy wheels on Titanium specification. There&#;s a welcome level of weight and feedback from the electrically assisted steering and while I wouldn&#;t suggest this to be the most dynamically capable vehicle in this segment, there&#;s enough poise on offer to make the school run relatively enjoyable. Body roll is also kept neatly in check in most driving conditions.

Another standout feature is the levels of sound-deadening considered for this package. Combined with the ride quality and road manners, the new Territory offers impressive levels of overall comfort, capable of easily covering longer distances &#; and over varying road surfaces.

The decision to opt for the 1.8-litre EcoBoost over the 1.5-litre unit offered in other markets seems an inspired one. Although the displacement figure alone should gain approval from most traditional fans of the brand, that 318 N.m of torque comes in handy, especially during overtaking manoeuvres while at cruising speeds. I averaged 8.5 L/100 km for my mixed conditions (urban and open road) extended stint behind the wheel.

Verdict

The likely sweet spot in the range, Trend specification includes auto (LED) headlamps and wipers, a reverse camera, a power tailgate, wireless charging (smartphone mirroring is standard throughout), imitation leather upholstery, climate control and keyless entry. 19-inch alloy wheels aside, the most significant inclusions reserved for the flagship derivative are a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control and a full bouquet of active safety features including lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection and forward collision warning with emergency braking. The range features ABS-assisted brakes and electronic stability control, as well as six airbags.

With no confirmed pricing available at the time of our exclusive first drive, I&#;m intrigued to learn where Ford South Africa decides to position its new Territory within the South African market. Based on first impressions there&#;s certainly enough substance, performance and refinement on offer to potentially slow the impressive monthly sales prospects of the likes of the similar-sized (and similar-looking?) Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Haval H6. While I sense Ford is targeting bigger fish, too, including the lower tier versions of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and forthcoming new VW Tiguan, based on the broad choice of materials and the fit and finish thereof (in admittedly pre-production units), perhaps Ford&#;s immediate target should be gaining territory on the nevertheless impressive modern Chinese offerings.

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Review: Ford Territory Titanium

Okay, let&#;s get this straight: This is not a Ford.

Well, not completely.

The original Territory launched as the Yusheng S330, a Chinese joint venture between Ford and JMC. Unfortunately, a limited dealer network made for tepid sales. But with a new grille, a new interior, and a Ford nameplate, sales took off. Exports to several markets outside China followed, but it&#;s in the Philippines where sales have really exploded.

This new Territory, also known as the Equator Sport, seeks to build on that success. A ground-up redesign based on the same basic mechanical package, it is a size and a half larger in every dimension. Starting at just P1.335 million, it is ridiculously cheap for the amount of metal you get. Is it any good, though?

Let&#;s find out.

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Styling

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

The original Territory haphazardly mixed Ford&#;s Kinetic Design with Yusheng sheetmetal. It wasn&#;t bad looking, but felt a bit half-baked in execution. The new Chinese-penned &#;Progressive Energy Through Strength&#; design&#;which will soon expand to other Ford global products&#;is much more restrained and cohesive.

Larger dimensions bump it up into the same size class as the Hyundai Tucson and upcoming Honda CR-V. On paper, the previous Territory was a few hairs wider, but only due to the bulging fender flares. This new car fills its footprint more convincingly, with wide radiused curved and subtle body stampings sketching in volume over the wheel arches and sills. I have some quibbles regarding panel gaps and stamping on the hood and doors, but fit and finish is good overall, especially around the plastic accent panels and pillars.

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

The big hooks in terms of style are the new faux-headlight daytime running lights and dragon-scale grille, which really give the otherwise conservative looks some visual pop. The actual headlights are slim LEDs in a bumper-level foglight pod&#;a much neater interpretation than most dual-level light set-ups.

The rear hatch features slim LED tails and smooth, unfussy lines. Big windows hint at the spacious cabin within, while bits of black and silver cladding hint at an off-road ruggedness that isn&#;t really there. Alloy wheels wrapped in mild radial tires are a tell that soft-roading is the Territory&#;s native&#;uh&#;territory.

Interior

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

The interior neatly combines current Chinese trends with the Ford family look. The big four-spoke flat-bottomed wheel and upright seating position feel very Ford-like, while the dual-pane LED infotainment screen and split-level center console mirror those found on other popular Chinese crossovers.

The soft-touch materials on the door-tops and dash, as well as the soft lining on the open shelves, elevate it above the common crossover&#;Chinese or otherwise. There are hard plastics here, but sandwiched between soft-touch panels. The dark gray and deep blue color combination, with textured gray faux-wood trim, is a welcome departure from the blacks and beiges found elsewhere.

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

Interior space is expansive. You get headroom and legroom everywhere. That said, it feels like the car shares hardpoints with its narrower predecessor, as the front bucket seats and pedal box are centimeter or two closer to the center of the car than the sills. Most people won&#;t notice, but bigger drivers may find their inner leg rubbing up against the transmission tunnel despite the large footwell.

No quibbles about the seats themselves. They&#;re pliable and covered in breathable blue and black leather, with power adjustments available for the driver, even on this &#;base&#; Titanium model. The rear cabin is impressively open and comfortable, thanks to the low window sills and big glass all around. There&#;s lots of space to cross your legs or shuffle your feet, and even the center passenger gets lots of space, thanks to a center console cutaway and a completely flat floor.

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

Out back you get a large 448-liter rear box with a wide opening and accessible loading lip. No dual level floor, thanks to the bulky spare and tool organizer, but you don&#;t really need it. We do wish there was a tonneau cover, and perhaps a strap to pull down that ultra-high hatch when it&#;s open. Maybe not an issue for taller drivers, but us vertically challenged Top Gear reviewers are starting to wish we had longer legs.

Engine performance

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

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The Territory itself has some pretty good legs, courtesy of the turbocharged 1.5 liter JX4G15 engine, co-developed by JMC with the Austrian company AVL. With 158hp and 248Nm of torque driving the front wheels through a seven speed dual clutch automatic, it does 0-100 kph in well under 10sec in Sport mode. Impressive given the weight, and a huge improvement over the old CVT-equipped Territory.

Unfortunately, Drive Mode selection is buried two submenus deep in the infotainment system, and you don&#;t get any paddle shifters or manual controls with the rotary shifter knob. Which leaves you driving in Normal mode most of the time. Thus set, it can take half a second for the powertrain to respond to pedal inputs and kick down to overtake, which can get frustrating. The shifts themselves are surprisingly smooth. No juddering or hesitation, whether crawling in traffic or bombing down a mountainside in Sport Mode. This is one of the smoothest dual-clutch boxes I&#;ve ever driven, Ford or otherwise.

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

No surprises in terms of fuel economy, however. We averaged 8-10km/L in mixed driving, and it was difficult to better 16km/L on the highway. In Eco Mode, the automated stop-start system makes 10-12km/L mixed possible, as long as the weather is good. Whatever mode you drive in, a big 60-liter fuel tank gives you excellent range for long provincial trips. After driving a slew of turbocharged competitors with tiny fuel tanks, the Territory is a pleasing antidote for range anxiety.

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Ride and handling

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

On those long provincial drives, the Territory is nice and relaxed. The big tires do tend to dribble over sharp bumps, but good suspension damping smooths them over quite well. Steering is light and direct, though initial action feels rubbery thanks to compliance in the steering linkage.

Perhaps the 235/55 R18 GitiComfort F50 tires&#;much softer than the Goodyears on the Titanium X&#;contribute to this, but it&#;s hard to attribute the body roll and brake dive observed in rapid maneuvers to those tires, especially compared to Chinese competitors wearing similar rubber. Still, they feel secure in spirited driving and are quiet and track rock steady on the highway. The only real ding on highway manners here is some fluttering or vibration in the hood at speed. Which you normally wouldn&#;t notice, except that it sits high up in your line of sight while driving.

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

Around town, that tall hood does affect visibility, but big windows and wide-set side mirrors more than make up for it, giving you an excellent view all around. There&#;s also a 360-degree camera with a 3D functionality, which can be triggered via a small icon on the lower right corner of the infotainment screen. Combined with the light steering and a surprisingly tight turning circle, this makes parking up against the curb a breeze.

Extra features

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

Even without toggling the cameras, the Territory&#;s twelve proximity parking sensors keep you from dinging into walls and parked cars. Better still, Ford&#;s proprietary automated parking system can do it all for you with the press of a button. This base-spec Titanium does lack the lane-keeping assist, forward-collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control of the X, but still features blind-spot warning and standard cruise, which is quite easy to toggle with the left control lever on the steering wheel. The right lever is meant to control everything else, from the infotainment system to the instrument cluster. This can get frustrating.

The infotainment system itself is quite nice. The interface isn&#;t the flashiest, but it&#;s simple to navigate and offers wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a sound system with impressive volume and bass reproduction. Android Auto on the big screen is fantastic, allowing multi-panel split-screen displays for navigation, music, and functions. No more juggling screens while on the road.

Unfortunately, a lot of the vehicle functions do require screen juggling. Safety assists and drive modes can only be accessed through submenus. And while you get a separate haptic HVAC panel, temperature and vent/defrost settings are only adjustable on the screen. Among Chinese and even mainstream cars, it&#;s not the worst offender in this regard, but there are mainstream competitors that do it much better.

Verdict

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

Despite these niggles, the Territory is fantastic value for money. There are sportier Chinese competitors at this price, but nothing with this much space at this level of refinement. I went into this drive a skeptic, given that the original Territory felt like a mid-tier product from a mid-tier Chinese brand, complete with the associated quality issues that it entailed.

This car, however, is much worthier of the Ford badge. It still doesn&#;t feel as premium as the European-engineered Ford Escape that bowed out a few years back, but at just P1.35 million pesos, it offers refinement, amenities and luxury to rival the big boys. Granted, it&#;s still Chinese-built, but at this point the fit and finish of top-tier Chinese-built cars easily matches or surpasses that of ASEAN and Indian-built Japanese or Korean cars.

The only remaining questions are reliability and after-sales support. We can&#;t comment on the former, but for the latter, the expansive Ford dealership network gives the Territory an advantage in terms of sales potential versus any Chinese competitor. We won&#;t be surprised if this one is a bigger sales success than the first one. With the level of improvement we&#;ve seen here, it deserves it.

SPECS: Ford Territory Titanium

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo

Price: P1,335,000
Engine: 1.5-liter turbopetrol
Power: 158hp
Torque: 248Nm
Transmission: 7-speed wet dual-clutch
Layout: Front-wheel-drive
Seating: 5
Score: 8/10

More photos of the Ford Territory Titanium:

PHOTO BY Niky Tamayo