- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
4.0i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
182kW, 380Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 13.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Ford Territory AWD Ghia
Ford's new Territory got off to a promising start in June, its first full month on sale. It slotted straight into second spot in the medium off-road segment, behind the Toyota Prado. Its tally of 1372 is more than Holden's Adventra managed in the first six months of 2004.
Of greater importance, however, is the fact that the Territory contributed to a 62 percent growth in this class, compared with June 2003.
Ford's unofficial brief with the Territory was to build a BMW X5 at half the price. Drive's week with the top of the line all-wheel-drive Ghia ($53,290) revealed that Ford has come much closer than expected to achieving this ambitious target.
This is largely attributable to its use of European engineering expertise in suspension tuning and its adoption, on Territory all-wheel-drive variants, of a Bosch 62 percent rear/38 percent front-drive system, traction/stability control and optional hill descent control, all employed in the previous model X5.
Holden's Adventra also uses the 62/38 Bosch, but without stability control. This will probably change soon when the Adventra gets the new Alloytec V6 engine, with the required electronic accelerator.
The 2004 X5 runs a 50/50 split, controlled by an electronic clutch.
Up front, the 4.0-litre Falcon six-cylinder engine is a natural fit for the Territory. Idle to redline grunt is what you need to shift 2100kg worth of vehicle and the Falcon engine's 380Nm of torque (at 3250rpm) does it without strain.
The Falcon engine is also a reasonably refined device, as sophisticated as some big dollar Euro powerplants in its engineering and electronics. The four-valve head, with variable valve timing, contributes to decent responsiveness at higher revs, where its 182kW of power comes into play.
The Ghia covered the zero-100kmh sprint in 10 seconds flat; lighter rear drive Territory variants are about half a second quicker.
The four-speed sequential adaptive automatic gearbox is also from the Falcon, though with tailored shift point calibrations for the two- and all-wheel-drive Territory variants.
In most situations, it slides smoothly from one gear to the the next but the large gaps between ratios and the extra all-wheel-drive hardware between the transmission and the wheels, does cause a bit of a squirm and a lurch when it kicks down on full throttle to hit the engine's peak torque.
The sequential shift feature is useful when towing and the all-wheel-drive Territory is rated to pull up to 2300kg.
Highway fuel economy is average by two tonne petrol engine all-wheel-drive standards. Around town the Territory can develop a big thirst. The tank holds only 68 litres.
Independent suspension (a new four link layout at the front; revised Falcon trailing arm at the rear), forward mounted rack and pinion steering, 235/60 Goodyear silica compound tyres on 17-inch alloy wheels and the aforementioned high-tech drivetrain all contribute to excellent dynamics on bitumen and, especially, dirt.
The suspension is tuned with considerable finesse. Across the full range of local road surfaces it is able to maintain disciplined roadholding and wheel control, keep body movement in check and provide a comfortable, compliant ride.
The Territory leans fairly hard on the outside front wheel in tight corners; on the test car the yaw sensor picked this up and stability control intervened early to prevent understeer.
However, in general driving it is calibrated with a high intervention threshold to complement the car's rear-drive bias. The result is a responsive, enjoyable, surprisingly agile character and, like the X5, outstanding poise and control on a dirt road.
It's worth raising tyre pressures to 241kPa - 34kPa above those recommended - to achieve the optimum ride/handling compromise. At 207kPa, the Territory feels a bit barge-like when changing direction. Its suspension is sufficiently compliant to maintain ride quality at the higher pressures.
The steering is quite precise and tactile, though not too sharp, which is as it should be in a tall, heavy all-wheel-drive. The small (by class standards) turning circle makes the Territory better than most big wagons in the shopping centre carpark stakes.
The ABS brakes run Falcon calipers with bigger discs, vented at both ends. The test car's brakes were fine in power and progression, with effective ABS on dirt, however a couple of previous examples driven had dead, heavy brake pedals which needed a hefty push before anything happened.
Brake fade can also occur on a long downhill run and this could become a significant issue when towing.
The Territory's relatively low 178mm ground clearance is an asset in terms of on-road handling but as the Drive team found on the Territory/Adventra/Kluger epic test to Central Australia in June, it's not enough in the outback.
Lack of clearance increases the risk of damaging the underbody and the all-wheel-drive system. In the longer term, the durability and reliability of electronic rather than mechanical all-wheel-drive is questionable, particularly on vehicles which will spend a lot of time on rough, unsealed roads out in the bush.
If you're familiar with the BA Falcon, you'll recognise many common elements in the Territory's dash and control layout. It is simple, stylish and efficient.
The Ghia gets the works standard feature list, which includes automatic air-conditioning, front and curtain airbags, a six-stacker CD, leather upholstery, cruise control, reverse-park assist and power everything.
The driver's seat is supportive and comfortable. Long travel, reach/rake adjustment for the wheel, and reach adjustable pedals, make it easy for drivers of any size to precisely tailor their driving position. Vision is clear around the car.
Many all-wheel-drives look big on the outside but are actually inefficient in the way they utilise interior space. The Territory excels here. There is heaps of head- and legroom in the middle seat, which is positioned higher than the fronts. If you choose the third row option, the middle seat also has 110mm of travel.
The middle seat has a firm, long cushion which is wide enough for three and a supportive backrest. Three child restraint anchors are fitted to the back of the seat.
The optional third row folds flat into the load floor and there's a bit of fiddling around involved in raising or lowering it. It can carry average-sized adults on short trips, if you push the middle row forward to provide some legroom but like most all-wheel-drive back seats, it's really more suited to younger kids.
There are many clever storage ideas in the Territory, including elasticised bottle holders in the front doors, front seat side bins which will hold a handbag, a reversible load floor with carpet on one side and plastic on the other and a 60/40 split-fold middle seat.
The roof-hinged tailgate can be opened as a whole, or the window only. The cargo area is large, with a square floor that's low and easy to load.
It can be extended with the 60/40 split-fold middle seat to almost two metres, without compromising front seat travel. A full-sized spare is mounted externally under the rear.
The all-wheel-drive Territory Ghia offers the latest drivetrain technology, Falcon six muscle, a sophisticated ride/handling package, acceptable refinement, plenty of equipment and a spacious, comfortable cabin.
It's not a BMW X5 but it's much closer in specification, sophistication and ability than the $30,000 price difference suggests.
The Ghia also makes several other luxury all-wheel-drives - Honda's MDX, Volvo's XC90, VW Touareg and the Audi Allroad - look overpriced and underdone in comparison.
The Blue Oval badge doesn't usually rate (or compete) in this company but, in the case of the AWD Territory Ghia, it shines brightly on a classy effort indeed - at an absolute knock 'em down price.
Alternatives
Audi Allroad 4.2 - $108,900
BMW X5 3.0 - $84,000
Holden AdventraLX8 5.7 - $56,990
Honda MDX 3.5 - $69,990
Lexus RX330 3.3 - $71,390
Mercedes-Benz ML350 3.7 - $73,900
Toyota Kluger Grande 3.3 - $58,990
VW Touareg 3.2 - $67,600
Volvo XC90 2.5T - $69,950
Prices and details correct at publication date.