Since its reintroduction to the South African market in April 2024, the Ford Territory has been a much-needed sales success for the Ford brand within its passenger car line-up. Some 2 123 Territory models were sold in its first nine months in the local market, with an average of over 200 sales per month since then, and more specifically, 286 units in July 2025, according to naamsa. In keeping with the brand's strategy as seen in models like the Ranger and Everest, there's now a new edition of the Territory, with some cosmetic enhancements and spec upgrades. Named the Dark Edition, we drove the new model recently.
Fast Facts
Styling
The Dark Edition lives up to its name. It swaps out the standard chrome and silver trim for a range of high-gloss and satin black accents. The satin black grille, high-gloss black skid plates, fog lamp accents, mirror caps and 19-inch black alloy wheels make the Territory a better-looking vehicle, in my opinion.
Interior
Inside, the Dark Edition continues the dark theme with a charcoal black headliner and pillars. The black leather seats, door trims, and instrument panel inserts are all accented with orange stitching, which gives the Territory a bit of a Wildtrak look.
The same 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen remain. The Dark Edition features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto paired with an eight-speaker sound system. It also offers wireless charging and four USB ports. A new feature exclusive to the Dark Edition is a 360-degree camera, which I found quite helpful.
Drivetrain
Powering the Territory is a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 138kW and 318Nm of torque. The engine is a co-development between Ford and JMC, who build the car in China, with Austrian engine experts AVL being used in a consulting role to develop the engine. The gearbox is a 7-speed dual-clutch unit sourced from Magna, which many will remember as Getrag. The gearbox features a wet clutch set-up, making it more applicable for this slightly higher torque application. Power and torque are sent to the front wheels in all Territory models. Drivers can choose from four selectable drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Mountain.
Driving impression
Having driven the Territory for a week, I've noticed its strengths and weaknesses, particularly its low-speed driving dynamics. The vehicle's start/stop system significantly contributes to these issues, sometimes shutting off the engine just before the car entirely stops. It re-engages only when the accelerator is pressed, not when the brake is released. This behaviour, combined with the poorly calibrated gearbox and a sharp brake pedal, can lead to the car lurching forward at low speeds. The easiest fix for this is to deactivate the start/stop function, and with a bit of practice, you can adapt to the throttle and brake calibration. These are likely issues that can be fixed with future software updates.
However, the Territory truly shines at mid-to-high speeds. It's an effortless and comfortable cruiser on the highway, with a soft ride and effective noise cancellation that makes traffic-laden commutes far more bearable. The spacious interior, combined with this comfort, makes it a practical companion for hobbies, easily accommodating items like golf clubs and mountain bikes.
Safety
The Territory flagship features Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Brakes, Lane Keep Assist, and a Blind Spot Information System, a 360-degree camera, six airbags and an electronic stability control system.
Fuel consumption
Rivals
The Territory faces new Chinese rivals, which now feature hybrid powertrains. A left-field premium option, the Mini Countryman, can also be considered.
Verdict
The Dark Edition puts the Territory into a new price category and faces some seriously impressive rivals. Despite coming from a brand with a strong local footprint, the Territory finds itself blending into an increasingly competitive segment rather than standing out. It's worth test-driving when shopping in this segment, but it would not be at the top of my list of recommendations.
