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The Territory nameplate from Ford isn’t entirely new in South Africa. It was introduced in South Africa in 2005, and it was famous for its exceptional ride quality, potent 4.0-litre engine, and immense amounts of space. Furthermore, Ford positioned it as a unique blend of a traditional family sedan, an MPV, and an SUV, offering the best of all three categories.
However, due to the brand’s strategic shift in its product portfolio, the Territory was discontinued in SA in 2008. The Everest took its place at that time. The Ford product portfolio then expanded throughout the years to accommodate the likes of the controversial Kuga, which also met its local end in 2023.
A few months later, Ford announced that it would be bringing back the Territory nameplate to replace the Kuga as part of its joint venture with the Chinese Jiangling Motors Corporation, or JMC. That said, the Chinese influence in the design of the Territory SUV is evident, particularly in the front-end design elements, among other things, of our tester in Trend guise.
While the old Territory wasn’t an ugly car, it felt a bit half-baked in execution, and the new model, with what Ford calls ‘Progressive Energy in Strength’ design language, is much more balanced and well put together.
For concise context, the Territory Trend features a chrome-filled front grille, LED lighting technology for the headlights and rear lights, stylish daytime running lights, and a set of attractive 18-inch alloy wheels.
However, the ultimate measure of its worth extends beyond its handsome looks.
If you are familiar with the latest Chinese products, it’s easy to see the combination of contemporary Chinese trends with the Ford look. That said, the dual-pane system consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch TFT cluster, and the split-level centre console is similar to those found on other popular vehicles of Chinese origins.
The infotainment system is designed with an intuitive interface that seamlessly integrates with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a wireless charging pad. It also features four USB ports, two positioned in the front and two in the rear. Regarding the front ports, their current placement presents a challenge for front-seat passengers due to their low and rightward position.
The overall interior quality is impressive, with soft-touch materials on various sections of the door panels and dashboard. However, the presence of hard plastic materials on the lower sections of the dashboard is noticeable. It’s worth stating that during our journey to the Nampo Harvest Day Festival in the Free State, we observed some minor issues whereby audible squeaks and rattles originated from within the dashboard—something we found to be an irritation.
Another annoyance is the lack of a dedicated driving mode selector, forcing you to navigate through multiple menus on the infotainment system, which can be distracting while driving. Also, the quality of the sound system leaves room for improvement, as the existing audio output doesn't meet the expectations for a car of this merit.
Additionally, we noted that the positioning of the passenger seat may not suit all occupants. In our experience, the seat was positioned higher than preferred, which could potentially affect comfort during long trips.
There is plenty of headroom and legroom inside, and the boot has a sizable capacity of 448 litres or 1,422 with the back seats folded flat.
The powerplant has been developed through a collaborative effort involving JMC, AVL, and Ford in Europe. The former has significantly contributed to the advancement of the engine’s design and performance, and that can be felt thanks to an impressive output of 138kW and a torque output of 318Nm. This power is efficiently channelled to the front wheels through a refined 7-speed DCT transmission, ensuring an overall smooth and responsive driving experience.
For the most part, the Territory has some pretty good legs with a responsive engine and a transmission that shifts cogs smoothly. Unfortunately, the drive modes are hidden in the infotainment system, and there are no paddle shifters or manual controls, which left us driving in Normal mode most of the time.
During our extended journey to Bothaville in the Free State for the Nampo Harvest Day, the Territory demonstrated its capability as a long-distance cruiser. The vehicle maintained a relaxed demeanour, aided by a well-tuned suspension setup that effectively absorbed road imperfections.
However, it's worth noting that the brakes were quite pronounced, and we struggled to find the optimal pressure for smooth operation.
In contrast to many Chinese vehicles we have sampled in the past, the Territory demonstrates impressive fuel efficiency. Under demanding conditions, it settled in the region of 8.1l/100km, while the figure drops to 7.7l/100km on the open road, assuming a gentle driving style.
The Ford Territory represents decent value for money in a segment where Chinese products such as the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro and Haval H6 play. While these are commendable in their capacities, their fuel economy remains their biggest letdown. This factor, unfortunately, detracts from their overall appeal, while the Ford Territory, in contrast, maintains a competitive stance with its balanced blend of affordability, performance, and efficiency. This makes it a more attractive choice between the two.
Look past the Chinese borders, and you get the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, VW Tiguan, and Proton X70, all contesting in the same stable. However, it’s important to carefully consider options and assess each car’s offerings against their precise specifications and budget.
Beyond its pretty features, specifications, and glitches, the Ford Territory’s true merit lies in its ability to offer a balanced blend of performance, comfort, and affordability. This makes it a strong contender not just against its Chinese rivals but also against established models from other regions.
Ford charges R632,600 for this specific model.
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