Ford Territory (2024) Launch Review
The Blue Oval has welcomed a new family-sized SUV to South Africa and showcased the newcomer at a media launch event in the Eastern Cape this week. Is the new Ford Territory charming enough to win your heart? Gero Lilleike brings you this report…
Another day and another SUV hits the market. Say hello to the new Ford Territory!
When I spoke to Neale Hill – the President of Ford Motor Company Africa – on occasion a few years ago, I quizzed him about the Blue Oval’s local product strategy. I recall that, at the time, the Ford-Volkswagen partnership was in its infancy and the Silverton-based manufacturer was focused on dominating the light commercial vehicle (LCV) market; its primary goal was to maximise its Ranger export business.
At that point, Ford’s product strategy was steering away from the passenger-car market and, in 2022, Ford’s production facility in Chennai, India shut its doors, which created a product vacuum. With the discontinuation of the Figo, EcoSport, Fiesta, Focus and Kuga (some locally, but others globally – for various reasons), Ford’s local passenger-car line-up began looking threadbare. The Mustang, Ranger and Everest, as well as Tourneo Custom and Transit MPVs, were the only Ford products on offer locally.
But now Ford’s passenger-vehicle models are making a comeback of sorts, with the recent introduction of the Ford Puma compact SUV and, seeing as the family car/medium SUV segment is back in full bloom, Hill and the Ford team believe it’s the right time to introduce the Territory family SUV to South Africa.
The Territory is manufactured in Nanchang by Jiangling Motors Co (JMC) as part of a joint venture between Ford and the Chinese manufacturer. In its home market, the Territory is badged as the Equator Sport and the model shares underpinnings with the Yusheng S330, a later iteration of the Landwind X7.
The Territory joins a highly competitive segment where established nameplates and new brands are all vying for a slice of the family-car pie; there are as many 34 competitors in the medium SUV segment!
Models such as the Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are familiar, while new Chinese rivals such as the recently-introduced Jaecoo J7 and the hugely successful Haval H6, Chery Tiggo 7 and 8 Pro (and -Pro Max) are giving local consumers more choice than ever before.
The launch of the Ford Territory took place in the Eastern Cape this week and the launch route took us on a scenic drive from Gqeberha to Knysna along the world-renowned Garden Route.
New Ford Territory: What’s on offer?
Positioned between the Puma boutique small crossover and Everest adventure SUV in Ford’s local lineup, the new Territory is available in 3 derivatives. The range starts with the 1.8T Ambiente variant, followed by the mid-spec 1.8T Trend derivative and the 1.8T Titanium range-topper.
See specification details for the Ford Territory here!
All derivatives are powered by a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine that produces peak outputs of 138 kW and 318 Nm of torque and comes paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
In terms of efficiency, Ford claims an average fuel consumption of 7.0 L/100 km, which is a reasonable return for a vehicle of this size, but we were keen to see how the Territory performs in the real world…
What is the Ford Territory’s interior like?
At launch, Ford had the range-topping 1.8T Titanium and mid-spec 1.8T Trend derivatives on hand for the media to experience. Stepping inside, you’re met with a pleasing cabin environment featuring a mix of both hard and soft surfaces, conforming to a largely horizontal fascia layout. Perceived build quality is impressive; the interior panels and switchgear are of good quality, solidly made and feel well-weighted.
A major interior highlight is the presence of a large and expansive rectangular screen that houses both the model’s 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen (in the 1.8T Ambiente, the 12.3-inch infotainment screen is flanked by analogue dials and a 7-inch TFT display, however). The digital displays look nicely crisp and importantly, the menu system is slick and intuitive.
In 1.8T Trend guise, the Territory’s cabin is trimmed in Vinyl Domino fabric, while the range-topping 1.8T Titanium derivative sports full leather upholstery. The range-topping Titanium further gains a dual-sliding moonroof, which bathes the cabin in light and avails passengers fantastic views of the outside world.
Other nice-to-have features include a wireless charging pad, an 8-speaker sound system and Ford’s advanced driver assistance package which includes Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Change Assist. Additionally, there is a Traffic Jam Assistant, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Adaptive Cruise Control.
As far as practicality is concerned, the Ford Territory is said to offer 448 litres of luggage space in its load bay, which expands to 1 422 litres when you fold the 60:40 split rear seats down. Although the newcomer’s load bay looks larger than its claimed figure suggests, its capacity is notably less than what’s offered in the Volkswagen Tiguan (520-1 655 L) and Kia Sportage (571-1 760 L), for example.
Thanks to a 2 726-mm wheelbase and a width of 1 935 mm, the Ford offers generous passenger space! Clever packaging on the part of Ford/JMC has freed up truly generous levels of rear leg- and knee room.
What’s the Ford Territory like to drive?
The launch route comprised driving on the highway as well as secondary roads, which included sections of middling- to poor surface quality. This proved to be a good test of the Territory’s road manners.
The Territory has a firm(ish) suspension setup, but its damping is pliant enough to iron out most road imperfections, which results in a comfortable and well-balanced ride quality. We also traversed some twisty tar and it’s worth mentioning that the Territory’s road-holding ability was particularly impressive, replete with relatively little body roll. Also, the cabin is well insulated from road, wind and engine noise.
Potential buyers will also be happy to know that the Territory’s 1.8-litre EcoBoost turbopetrol engine, which produces its peak torque from 1 750 to 3000 rpm, offers better-than-expected performance.
Not only is the powerplant smooth-revving – it also performs strongly; the eagerness with which the 1.8T produces mid-range acceleration is useful when you need to execute brisk overtaking manoeuvres. The transmission, in turn, is as near-as-dammit perfectly calibrated to the engine’s characteristics and shifts up and down almost imperceptibly, contributing to the Territory’s noticeably refined driving experience.
In terms of fuel consumption (to reiterate, Ford claims 7.0 L/100 km), we saw an indicated figure of 8.1 L/100 km at the end of our launch drive (the figure dropped to as low as 7.7 L/100 km during the journey). So, the Territory seems reasonably fuel-efficient, which is a plus – we have found that some of its rivals (especially those that have recently been introduced to the market) are markedly thirstier than claimed.
Finally, a tow bar can be fitted to the Territory, which Ford says can tow trailers of up to 1 310 kg (braked). Other accessories, such as a roof rack and a rugged rubber mat for the load bay can also be purchased.
How much does the new Ford Territory cost in South Africa?
Derivatives | Price (excl. optional service plan) | Price (incl. a 6-year/90 000 km service plan) |
| 1.8T Ambiente | R576 000 | R590 000 |
| 1.8T Trend | R632 600 | R646 600 |
| 1.8T Titanium | R707 000 | R721 000 |
Pricing is accurate as of May 2024. The Territory is sold with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, a 4-year unlimited km roadside assistance plan and a 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty.
Service plans (such as the 6-year/90 000 km plan R14 000) are optional and can be extended up to 8 years/165 000 km. Maintenance plan upgrades (up to 7 years/150 000 km), warranty extensions (up to 7 years/200 000 km) and Additional Roadside Assistance (1 or 2 years) are also available.
See also: Ford Territory (2024) Price & Specs
Summary
Should you strongly consider the Territory for your next new car purchase? Yes! Our initial impressions of the Ford are mostly positive – it’s certainly worth shortlisting if you’re in the market for a family car.
Ford needed a strong product to compete in this bustling segment and, after driving the Territory, we have reason to believe the Territory ticks many of the boxes that family-car buyers will be looking for.
The Territory is attractively styled and well-packaged, with a modern and, um, on-trend interior layout. Moreover, it’s adequately equipped with comfort, convenience and driver-assistance (in the 1.8T Titanium) features and, while its load space is adequate, its spacious rear seating deserves major praise – we anticipate that buyers will appreciate the extra space and comfort afforded to aft occupants!
Importantly, the Territory’s powertrain performs satisfactorily and strikes an excellent balance between performance and economy, which will satisfy one of the more pressing needs of buyers in this segment.
Other Chinese-made medium SUVs are doing brisk business in South Africa, even though some buyers remain sceptical about their reliability and longevity. The Territory may be the first Ford sold in Mzansi to be produced in China but, as a package, it has notable strengths and advantages over its newer rivals.
If you’re sitting on the fence when it comes to Chinese-built SUVs, it’s worth sampling the new Territory!
Buy a used Ford Territory on Cars.co.za
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