I'll be the first to admit that I didn't give the Ford Territory a glowing review when I first spent a week with it. You can see what I have to say about it here. I said the Chinese-based Ford offering feels nothing like the Ford you're accustomed to, especially when interacting with the technology. This stance and opinion of mine haven't changed. But does that make it a bad vehicle? On the contrary.
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Ford Territory
The more time you spend with a vehicle, the better you know it. A week-long test gives us a perfectly good idea of how a car behaves on the daily grind, living with it as you commute to work and back, take shopping trips, go on nights out, and the like. Spending even more time with it reveals its true character and highlights a few areas you may overlook. Still, it also allows you to become more in tune with the vehicle, accepting some of its idiosyncrasies.
The Drive
Ford Territory Recap
The Territory is Ford's latest passenger offering, filling the gap left behind by the Kuga and Ecosport (although the Puma is closer related to the Ecosport, but also not). It's a 5-seater SUV that now slots in between the Puma and Everest. It's manufactured by JAC in China, under license from Ford, and is one of five unique Ford models formerly only available in mainland China but now available in export.
The entire range is powered by the same 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, developing 138kW of power and 318Nm torque. Power is sent to the front wheels in all models through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The claimed fuel consumption is touted to be 7.0 L/100km to give it an anticipated range of 857 km from a single tank.
It is relatively well-equipped, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, has wireless charging, and a host of driver assistance and safety systems.
Performance
Dislikes
The Territory isn't perfect and has a few shortcomings. In the time we've spent with it, some of the quirks have turned into things we can live with, while others are still as bothersome as the first day we drove it.
- Intrusive Stop/Start system- This is easily rectified by remembering to switch the system off when you drive, but it is jarring when you forget.
- Twitchy steering- Aside from vehicle-specific misalignment(something we'll have corrected), the electronic power steering is too sensitive in the centre and lacks enough of a dead spot. The result is constantly having to correct your steering when driving straight ahead, but this has been exacerbated with the wheel alignment being out.
- Sharp brakes—The initial bite of the brakes takes some getting used to and is most difficult to modulate in stop-and-go traffic, less so when travelling at speed.
- Rattle from within the dashboard- When the radio is off, a small rattle emanating from the dashboard's passenger side can be heard.
- Sub-par audio performance- Any bass-heavy track will have the speakers start breaking up at moderate volumes.
Space and Comfort
Likes
It's not all bad, though; the Territory has several redeeming qualities. There are things that you learn to appreciate the longer you drive it.
- Fuel consumption- While still off of the claimed 7.0 L/100km mark, the Territory seems to be improving with every kilometre that passes. We're managing mid-8s in it now.
- Space- So. Much. Space! The cavernous boot and large, square openings mean loading and unloading is a breeze, with nearly no load too much for the Territory to handle.
- Comfortable ride—The Territory's suspension tuning is rather good, making pockmarked road surfaces feel smooth and slick.
- Power—The 1.8 turbo engine has plenty of grunt. Passing and overtaking are effortless, and the midrange torque is ample.
- Easy access- Simply walking up to the Territory with the fob in your pocket unlocks it, making it much easier to enter the vehicle when one of your hands is occupied.
Safety
Wrap up
We still have a good few months to go with the Territory. While we're perhaps not quite backtracking on our initial opinion of its value proposition, we're starting to see how it has a place in the local market, even if it's not doing anything particularly special that the competition doesn't do. We're sure it will continue to sell, and judging by the sales figures since launch, it appears to have found an audience, with around 250 units finding new homes each month!
Fuel Consumption
Price
The Verdict
