The new Chinese car onslaught is being felt in many markets, including SA. Ford’s latest car with a name borrowed from an old car is extraordinary. The original Territory was a large SUV designed in Australia, while the one launched this week is smaller and made in China.
It’s not a Chinese car with a Ford badge. Rather it’s assembled in China by Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) on behalf of the blue oval brand.
The Territory launches in three models: entry-level Ambiente, mid-tier Trend and the range-topping Titanium. It competes with European brands and Chinese models such as the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Haval Jolion and Jaecoo J7. The trio are also styled as contemporary with a bold grille flanked by slim LED headlights and daytime running lights. We sampled only the Trend and Titanium models at the launch.
With a 4,630mm length, 1,935mm width and 1,706mm height, the good-looking Territory is among the largest offerings in the popular segment, and also seen through a 2,726mm wheelbase. Ford has created up to 20 different storage spaces inside the Territory and boot capacity is 448l, increasing to 1,422l by split folding the rear seats.
Ford is aware the crossover wars are fought and won on price and interior specifications and kicking off with the Trend model, the cabin is airy and boasts a very stylish and modern double-deck design with a floating centre stack integrated with storage nooks below.
It’s a seven-inch TFT cluster with primary analogue gauges in the Ambiente and Trend while the Titanium raises the ante with a 12.3-inch high-definition digital instrument cluster. The cabins have a high-quality finish that gets dark fabric trim seats in the Ambiente, vinyl trim in the Trend and two-tone Peacock Blue and black full leather trim in the Titanium.
Possible features include wireless phone charging, a powered twin-panel panoramic roof, ambient lighting, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, three USB ports, and dual-zone climate control. Though well-specified, Ford says the Territory isn’t equipped with the FordPass app that offers remote control of some features, but it has remote start from the key fob.
Safety systems include electronic stability control, emergency brake assist, hill launch assist, hill descent control, tyre pressure monitor and six airbags. The Titanium model features blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and lane change assist. It also boasts traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
All models are powered by a Ford 1.8l turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 132kW and 318Nm driving the front wheels exclusively. It has driving modes and is paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission. It’s an impressively smooth and refined motor with none of the Chinese-make traits of a trigger throttle delivery.
It returned fuel consumption averages of 7.6l/100km on the open roads, which increased to 8.5l/100km in Sport mode when hustling it fast through mountain pass roads.
Handling is another Territory strong point. Despite the size, it didn’t wallow through corners and grip levels are high and not at the expense of ride quality. The steering is accurate, the damping good and it’s got serious legs when you bury the throttle.
Ford’s reply to the niche and the competition is resoundingly impressive in execution. All Territory models come standard with a four-year/120,000km warranty extendable to seven years/200,000km and the option of purchasing an extended service or maintenance plan.
Price
Territory Ambiente 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT — R590,000
Territory Trend 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT — R646,600
Territory Titanium 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT — R721,000
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