Where the new Territory sits in Ford’s pecking order
The family-oriented Ford Territory is equipped to tackle dirt and rutted roads with ease.
Set to arrive in South Africa in the coming weeks, Ford’s Territory is taking up a critical position in the Blue Oval’s line-up. Here are some key takeaways that should help clarify its position in its line-up and the mid-size SUV battleground.
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With gaps in Ford’s passenger vehicle line-up resulting from the discontinuation of several key models, both the Puma and Territory will serve in a hotly contested battleground. Despite being priced within reach of each other, depending on trim level, there are key differences between the entry-level SUV and the Territory that slots above it.
To reiterate, the Puma was the solution to fill the gap between the Everest and the discontinued EcoSport, but there was still room for a more family-oriented lifestyle vehicle which the Territory is promised to fill. In terms of size, the SUV comes in larger than its Puma counterpart thanks to a gain of 423mm in length, 130mm in width, and 169mm in height. This overall dimension also places it with the Volkswagen Tiguan and Cherry Tiggo Pro 7 sure in its sights. The Territory’s boot space of 448l, or 1 422l with the seats down, also dwarfs the Puma’s.
Related: Ford Territory – Pricing and Spec
When it comes to driving, both on and off the beaten track, Ford assures that the front-wheel drive model is equipped to tackle dirt and rutted roads with ease. This is courtesy of 26mm more ground clearance than the Puma and an assortment of driving modes with the new Mountain setting which can maximise traction. Hill Ascent and Hill Descent Control further add to its off-road capability.
Ford’s passenger cars and small crossovers have been underpinned by Ford’s venerable 1l EcoBoost engine for more than a decade. However, to fill the Territory’s bigger boots, a new 1.8l engine has been introduced as the sole drivetrain. The four-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost petrol motor delivers a total of 138kW and 318N.m to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Related: Review:Ford Territory 1.8 EcoBoost
On the inside, the Territory boasts Ford’s latest tech with all models packing a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running the latest SYNC 4 system. This features smartphone integration on the infotainment screen while the Titanium model includes another 12-inch digital instrument cluster for greater customisation for driving data and displays. Wireless charging, multiple USB ports are necessary modern additions too.
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