Aimed at the mid-size SUV/crossover market, the upcoming Ford Territory is attractive and well-equipped. Will this be enough to draw buyers in a very competitive market segment?
The last time Ford fielded a Territory in South Africa, it was with a large, Aussie-built SUV with AWD and a honking great inline-6 engine. The new one is smaller, FWD, only comes with a turbo 4-cylinder, is made in China, and will slot into the gap between the smaller Puma and large Everest.
Details of the newcomer have now been released ahead of its official arrival in 2024’s second quarter. 3 trim levels will be available from launch, and, while accurate pricing is still unknown, it should start around the R 610 000 mark for the base trim.
Powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 138 kW and 318 Nm and driving only the front wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the new Territory should place bang in the middle of its opponents in terms of performance, while its practicality is also on par with its competitors.
As is to be expected from a modern family SUV, the new Territory will be kitted with all the expected safety features, such as ABS, stability control and 6 airbags across the range, although a rear-view camera only appears from the mid-trim Trend variant and up.
Opting for the top-line Titanium will add various driver aids, such as lane-keeping systems, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert to compliment its added-luxury items such as electric front seat adjustment and dual-zone climate control. Aside from its standard features, the Territory should also excel at usability, thanks to a multitude of storage spaces inside the cabin and a large cargo hold.
Martin Pretorius
- Proudly CHANGECARS
Read more about the upcoming Ford Territory’s features in this report on ALL THINGS MOTORING.
