A triumph in styling, ride/handling and value; V6 turbo-diesel a pearler
Petrol six is thirsty; some new players look a bit more ‘hip’
Two weeks in two of the new SZ Ford Territory models (all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel drive, diesel and petrol) reminded Car Showroom of the all-round excellence on display in Australia’s homegrown SUV.
Sure the new 2.7-litre, 140kW/440Nm, V6 turbo-diesel engine is a game-changer for Ford Territory, but regardless of the powerplant, this is a world-class product the folks at Ford’s Australian headquarters can be proud of.
Ford Territory Overview
Car Showroom piloted a variety of SZ Ford Territory models at the national media launch some months ago, but for this fortnight an all-wheel-drive turbo-diesel in entry-level TX grade and a petrol-powered, seven-seat in mid-spec TS guise were put through our standard test regime.
The TX all-wheel-drive diesel is priced at $48,240 while the rear-wheel-drive TS petrol is stickered at $46,990. Those prices stack-up very competitively against direct rivals like the Toyota Kluger (no diesel option) and Nissan Pathfinder (no petrol option) – especially when you consider the technology upgrades included in the latest SZ version Ford Territory range.
Ford Territory models fitted with the six-cylinder petrol engine are rear-wheel-drive while the V6 turbo-diesel is available in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel configurations.
Ford knew the latest Territory had to deliver and it has, not only with extra tech, but great new looks and a ripper V6 turbo-diesel. Hallmark Ford Territory features like the practical and spacious interior and 2,700kgs towing capacity further strengthen Ford’s position in the highly competitive SUV market.
On the safety front, new Ford Territory boasts Dynamic Stability Control boosted by Roll-Over Mitigation, Emergency Brake Assist and a drivers’ knee airbag to add to the driver and front passenger airbags and side curtain airbags.
Ford has sold around 110,000 Territory vehicles since the model debuted in April 2004 – justified reward for the brave decision to develop a unique Australian SUV. Oh, and that local development continues to shine in the latest Ford Territory with outstanding ride and handling which is tailor-made for local conditions.
Ford Territory Engine
Star billing for the new Ford Territory range goes to the 2.7-litre TDCi V6 turbo-diesel engine – the same engine used by Land Rover in the Discovery – powering both all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive models.
The turbo-diesel is a 60-degree V6 with a Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) block (strong and stiff for reduced NVH/enhanced refinement), alloy cylinder heads with double overhead camshafts and a single intercooled turbocharger. Injection is the latest common-rail high-pressure direct design with Piezo injectors.
Compared to Land Rover’s similar engine, the Territory version has been modified by Ford Australia – fuel system, oil pump, induction system and 4WD transfer case.
Maximum power is 140kW, while peak torque of 440Nm is available from 1900rpm. Toyota’s four-cylinder turbo-diesel, as fitted to the Prado, delivers 127kW/410Nm.
Ford Territory diesel scores 6.5l/100kms for fuel consumption and, with its 75-litre tank, can cover more than 1,000kms without re-filling.
The I6, 4.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol engine has picked-up the latest developments from the FG Falcon – fast-burn cylinder head, new fuel rail system, electronic throttle body and light-weight dual-resonance intake manifold – to deliver an extra 5kW/8Nm to 195kw/391Nm.
All Ford Territory models drive through six-speed automatic transmissions – a ZF for the petrol-powered models and a ZF-type for diesel versions.
Ford Territory The Interior
Inside it’s the same Ford Territory comfort and convenience but with a fresh look, new colours, nicer materials and extra technology.
We reckon the front seats in Ford Territory can stake a claim to being the most comfortable amongst all similarly priced SUVs. With rake/reach adjustment for the steering wheel plus electronic adjustment for the drivers’ seat even in base TX models, the Ford Territory delivers a top-shelf driving position.
Instrumentation is conventional twin gauges and we must again commend Ford for the steering wheel-mounted cruise control buttons – easy to reach and much less complex than many others.
Rear seat accommodation displays the usual Ford Territory spaciousness and while the third row seats fitted to our rear-wheel-drive TS model were tough for adults, the Car Showroom juniors and their friends were impressed.
Our TX model ran the 5.8-inch mono LCD screen on the dashboard with controls for the single CD audio system with iPod/Bluetooth connectivity while the TS featured an eight-inch colour screen for the audio, climate control and standard reversing camera as well as the premium seven-speaker audio system.
Ford Territory Exterior & Styling
Ford Australia’s stylists have done a great job with the exterior of the new SZ Ford Territory. The distinctive C-pillar remains, but the stylish new front end and rear lights have given the Territory a new, purposeful and high-class look.
We particularly like the front-end treatment with its small upper grille and narrow headlights. This is highlighted on TS models with fog lights, a different bumper and silver accents for the grille.
Front fender air vents are also a fresh, new design.
Similar story at the rear where the horizontal taillights (replacing the previous vertical design) wrap onto the rear guards, giving the Ford Territory a noticeably bolder on-road presence.
Our TX model diesel ran 17-inch alloy wheels while the TS petrol scored machined 18-inchers which looked great.
Ford Territory On The Road
Like the rest of the motoring media we were hugely impressed when we first drove the new SZ Ford Territory at the national media launch some time back and now, two weeks in two models over our usual test routes have confirmed those first impressions. Both petrol and diesel scored very highly in the refinement stakes – a massive improvement over the previous Ford Territory.
Ford’s chassis engineers have been busy and while the new Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) garnered the headlines, improvements in driving dynamics resulting from detail changes to the bushes, springs, anti-roll bars and front-end geometry are significant.
Over our high-speed mountain roads test loop, the new Ford Territory (both diesel and petrol) ranks amongst the best SUVs we have driven. That’s a combination of its extraordinary refinement even on the choppy stuff, a very cohesive front end and nice balance with significantly less body roll than we remember from the previous Territory.
We’ve long been fans of the 2.7-litre TDCi turbo-diesel and Ford’s application is excellent – combining with that slick six-speeder to deliver great responsiveness (the drive in the mountains using the ‘Sport’ mode was amongst the best in any SUV we’ve tested).
And don’t overlook Ford’s venerable I6 petrol engine – you know its got strength to burn and newfound refinement as well.
Ford Territory Challenges
The 10.6l/100kms fuel consumption of the petrol six is a fair bit more than some rivals.
Ford Territory Verdict
A solid green tick for Ford – the new SZ Territory looks great, drives superbly, is feature-packed and excellent value. This vehicle is a credit to Ford’s local team and matches imported rivals in every key area.
Diesel or petrol? It’s a coin toss for on-road dynamics but the 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel’s better fuel consumption is a consideration (and also whether you’re a city dweller or primary producer).
The urban-resident Car Showroom team leans towards the diesel for its extra torque.
Ford Territory The Competition
Gee it’s tough in SUV-Land. Toyota’s Kluger and Prado, Nissan’s Pathfinder and Mazda’s CX-9 are all nicely developed and competent and even the base-model Jeep Grand Cherokee is in the mix.
