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Tim Britten20 Aug 2014
REVIEW

Ford Territory 2014 Review

Ford's ageing Territory has plenty of life in it yet
Ford Territory Titanium (diesel)
Road Test

As the Ford Territory moves towards its final couple of years on the planet, its success in the marketplace continues, even though it is now a decade old. In top-end Titanium form, the big SUV remains a logical choice for new car buyers in need of a capacious and capable family wagon with impressive credentials as a long-distance tourer that is also practical and comfortable around town. As a turbo-diesel, the Territory is at its peak of development with adequate muscle, plenty of refinement and excellent fuel economy.
Although it's not quite yet the time for eulogies, it must be said that the Territory remains one of the best things Ford's local arm has ever done.
Released in May 2004 after a $500 million, six-year development programme, the locally-developed Territory hit the mark with Australian family-car buyers who were beginning to tire of sedan-based station wagons – and were shifting their attention to SUVs in droves.
Along the way the Territory has been modified and facelifted, but the basics are pretty much the same today as they were at the beginning.
The most significant enhancement was in March 2011 when the company dropped an optional Land Rover 2.7-litre V6 diesel under the bonnet. It came to counter long-standing criticism of the locally-built 4.0-litre petrol six-cylinder engine's thirst for fuel.
A couple of things were definitely proved during the Territory's lifetime: Australians loved the SUV concept but really didn't have much need for a 4WD drivetrain. Secondly, Australians figured pretty quickly that diesels and SUVs were a match made in heaven.
Something like 80 per cent of Territorys purchased are rear-wheel drive (rather than all-wheel drive), and around 70 per cent of total sales now go to vehicles fitted with the imported diesel V6.
But although the efficiently packaged and well engineered SUV has been an unmitigated success for Ford in Australia, there's no getting away from the fact it's now a decade old – and is today facing some pretty stiff, and much more modern competition.
That said, the latest SZ-series Territory is still selling well, mixing it with the likes of Toyota's Kluger and Holden's Captiva.
And that's no real surprise. The Territory is a far more refined car today than it was 10 years ago, with tangibly improved quality standards, all-round better road manners and drastically improved fuel consumption.
A claimed 1153 litres of luggage space behind the second-row seats isn't too shabby either.
The Ford has figured in countless comparison tests figuring out how it relates to an impressive peer group and although it doesn't top the ratings, it has always performed with dignity.
It also gets five ANCAP stars, as well as an airbag system that includes a kneebag for the driver – although, unlike some of its competition, the curtain airbags don't extend all the way through to the third-row seats.
A few days spent recently in a diesel-engined Titanium-spec rear-drive Territory demonstrated it has some life left in it yet.
We were constantly reminded of one of the Ford's major strengths: Its honest, truly Australian character evident in things like its love for long, up-country road trips with an excellent ride, stretch-out interior and seats built for the long haul. Most of us will step out of a Territory after a few hours at the wheel feeling pretty much as fresh as when we started.
In the manner so beloved of SUV buyers, the Territory sits high and mighty on the road, yet is not difficult to manoeuvre in tight spots. The weighting of the electric steering is well judged, and the wheel spins from lock to lock in a smidge over three turns for a relatively tight tuning circle of 11.4 metres.
The ride quality, which has been the beneficiary of ongoing refinements, is good too, once again contributing to long-distance comfort. The Territory Titanium's handling alacrity is helped by 18-inch alloy wheels wearing 235/55-series tyres – and is in some ways surprising given the substantial 2109kg kerb weight.
The fact it's rear-wheel driven imposes few limitations. The diesel-powered model is rated to tow a braked trailer weighing as much as 2700kg while its 75-litre fuel tank gives a theoretical cruising range better than 1000km – which is something you'd never contemplate in a petrol Territory.
The smooth-spinning, long-stroke V6 winds out a useful 440Nm at a reasonably low 1900rpm. The maximum 140kW comes in a just 4000rpm, resulting in a more leisurely standing-start step-off, but contributing enough grunt for confident overtaking.
The US-built six-speed automatic is smooth and intuitive in is shifting regime, and makes the best out of the engine. Astoundingly, the Territory Titanium diesel returned a fuel consumption figure exactly matching the manufacturer's combined claim of 8.2L/100km.
Complaints? Not many, except that the folding procedure for the third-row seats tends to be tricky and non-intuitive. The tailgate is also a little heavy to operate and is a big stretch for smaller people.
For most of us, it will be a sad day when the last Territory rolls of the production line in 2017. At least we can take comfort there'll be at least one more update before the model gets the chop.
2014 Ford Territory Titanium pricing and specifications:
Price: $58,600 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.7-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/440Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 217g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP
What we liked: Not so much:
>> Spacious interior >> Lacks some refinement
>> Long-distance comfort >> High, heavy tailgate
>> Thrifty turbo-diesel >> Some step-off lag

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Written byTim Britten
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Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
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Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
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