After six months in the IOL garage, it’s almost time to say goodbye to our trusty Ford Territory Titanium long-termer.
I get in and out of many review vehicles - it’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it! But there’s one particular thing that stands out for me every time I get back behind the wheel of our Territory.
The driver’s seat just feels so plush and comfortable, it’s like sinking into a well-worn armchair. And in some ways, that really sums up how this generously sized SUV behaves on the road - plush, well insulated and comfortable.
The Ford Territory is slightly larger than the Toyota Rav4, but it’s priced well within the lower end of that segment, with the base Ambiente kicking things off at R593,500, the mid-spec Trend coming in at R650,500 and the flagship Titanium commanding R725,500.
Space was never an issue
We were never wanting for space. Not only is rear legroom stretch-out generous, but the boot is also far more practical than its 448-litre listed capacity implies.
We took it on holiday to the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast in December and then two weekend getaways in the Hartebeespoort area and it always had more than enough room for our self-catering supplies and luggage.
We loved the sound quality from the Titanium’s eight-speaker audio system, and were impressed with how quickly and easily it paired with our iPhones.
The cockpit features 12.3-inch (31.2cm) dual screens, boasting crisp graphics that lend a high-tech feel at night, in conjunction with the mood lighting.
There are physical buttons on the centre console for the ‘home’ and ‘return’ screen shortcuts, along with a volume knob and physical controls for the fans speed and demisting, but other functions such as temperature control need to be activated via the screen.
The front section of the centre console also has a wireless phone charging pad, but we did wish for a bit more stashing space for items such as house keys.
You’ll find a large storage compartment beneath the centre console tunnel, as well as USB Type A and Type C inlets, while rear passengers have a single USB A slot.
What’s it's like to drive
The Territory delivers a comfortable ride quality, both on the freeway and on the many dirt sections that we encountered on our adventures north of Joburg.
The 1.8-litre turbopetrol engine, which produces 138kW and 318Nm, also delivered effortless performance. Although we’d stop short of calling it brisk, owing to the 1,630kg kerb weight, it has enough urge to comfortably overtake and tackle steep hills without taking strain.
Its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is smooth shifting, however the stop-start system lacks refinement and is not totally in sync with the hill hold system, meaning the car can roll back slightly if you’re not paying attention. I made a habit of turning the stop-start system off for every journey as these systems barely save a negligible amount of fuel.
Fuel economy is perhaps not the Territory’s strongest suit, with our car consuming 9.4 litres per 100km over the duration of the test, which mostly consisted of long-distance freeway driving. However, that’s not altogether unreasonable given the Territory’s size.
What we didn't like
There are a few things about the driving experience that we didn’t appreciate.
The calibration of the brakes and throttle are really sensitive, which can make for a jerky driving experience at first. But surprisingly, it is something you can get used to quite quickly, and before you know it you’ve adjusted your inputs accordingly, rather than lunging around like a learner driver!
The steering feels somewhat artificial, which is not unusual for modern electric power steering systems, but a bit out of character for Ford, whose European division has over the years produced a long line of vehicles that foster a strong sense of driver connection.
Of course, the Chinese-built Territory is a product of a joint venture with partner JMC, and with that comes many other advantages, such as technology, interior packaging and outright value.
The Titanium is specced to the hilt, with standard features including full leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, LED ambient lighting system as well as front and rear parking sensors.
There is a long list of standard driver assist features, including adaptive cruise control and all the buzzy warning devices for lane keeping and so on. But at this level, a 360-degree surround view camera would have been a useful addition though, given the Territory’s size.
THE VERDICT
The Territory may in some ways seem a little out of character for Ford, but it delivers the things that modern SUV buyers appreciate most.
Good looking, spacious, quiet, comfortable on the road, well appointed and ultimately offering a great deal of SUV for the money, the Territory is a worthy contender in the midsize SUV space.