The Territory and Santa Fe are top-10 rivals in the large SUV sector, selling 8366 and 5418 units to October this year respectively.
Each is offered with seven-seat flexibility, the choice of two- and all-wheel drive, and the option of petrol or turbo-diesel engines. And each is a vehicle well suited to the rigours of family life with amenity and equipment levels we feel are well matched to the needs of the modern family.
On test are the highest grade variants available in the respective manufacturer's portfolio: Titanium for the Territory and Highlander for the Santa Fe. In this instance each is all-wheel drive and powered by a turbo-diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
But it's about there that the similarities begin to wane. Pricing for the pair immediately separates the duo, and although Ford has shaved a considerable figure from its locally-built Territory's price list, the model on test is still $3500 dearer than its similarly-specified Korean rival.
Considering the gap, you could be forgiven for thinking it was the Territory that offered more equipment; and while it does offer a considerable kit-list, it is again out-shone by the Santa Fe in this vital part of the equation.
The Territory Titanium has, however, scored a number of new technology items since the last time we compared it. Ford's new SYNC2 infotainment system now endows the Territory with voice-controlled navigation, audio, phone and climate functionality. Wi-Fi hot spot capability, automatic Emergency Assistance and DAB+ digital radio are also added. None of these features, bar basic voice-control, are offered in the Santa Fe.
Returning fire, and in addition to those features offered previously, the Santa Fe Highlander now includes ventilated front seats (in addition to heated front and rear seats), lane-departure warning, front parking sensors (joining rear sensors and a reversing camera, as on all Territorys), a revised infotainment system, LED daytime running lights, powered tailgate and a self-parking system.
The Hyundai has also undergone a significant retune of its suspension and steering, drawing it nearer to the praised dynamics of the Territory. More on that in a moment.
Ford offers an industry-standard three-year/100,000km warranty on Territory models. It provides a seven-year/135,000km capped-price servicing program, and sets service intervals at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
At the first interval Ford owners can expect to pay $285 for a visit to the dealership and, as part of the capped-price agreement, 12 months roadside assistance is included.
For the Hyundai, a generous five-year/unlimited kilometre is offered alongside a lifetime capped-price servicing arrangement.
Like the Territory, the Santa Fe will need to visit the workshop once a year (or 15,000km, whichever comes first). Servicing costs are dependent on monthly mileage travelled, though with 15,000km after one year a service will cost $379.
Ten years' roadside assistance and three years of free sat-nav map updates are also included.
RedBook.com.au estimates that a Territory Titanium will be worth 66.6 per cent of its list after three years; the Santa Fe Highlander 77.4 per cent.
Neither Ford nor Hyundai have changed the mechanical package of these vehicles since last tested. The Territory still offers a 2.7-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel making 140kW at 4000rpm and 440Nm at 1900rpm. The Santa Fe's smaller 2.2-litre four-cylinder oiler develops 145kW at 3800rpm and 436Nm at 1800-2500rpm. Each is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission that is likewise unchanged, save for the inclusion of an adaptive 'learning' program.
There are subtle differences in the way each delivers its power and, although the Ford produces (slightly) more torque, its additional weight counters any real-world performance gains. That said, the Ford is generally more relaxed when called on for roll-on throttle applications and, though it presents less 'step-off' or turbo lag when moving from standstill, it's still no rocket off the line.
What we have noticed, however, is that in this update the Santa Fe has made grounds in its midrange delivery. The transmission's 'learning' function also enables quicker kick-downs when required, allowing better acceleration, especially when overtaking.
We managed 9.3L/100km in the Santa Fe and 11.5L/100km in the Territory over an identical 80km urban test loop.
Hyundai has invested significantly in revising the steering and suspension of the Santa Fe to better suit local conditions. We're pleased to say that the Korean SUV's on-road manners have improved significantly. However, with a front-wheel drive bias and on-demand all-wheel drive system playing against Ford's permanent (rear-biased) all-wheel drive arrangement (and a suspension package developed for Aussie roads from the get-go), it's still obvious the Territory holds an advantage.
We noted the updated Santa Fe's front-end more supple, which contributes to a more refined road feel on well-sealed roads. The steering, too, is not as 'notchy' as before and responds better to smaller inputs, enabling cleaner cornering.
The Santa Fe does not feel as roomy in terms of width as the Territory – especially in the third-row. Here the Territory provides more toe and headroom, though the mechanism for deploying the seats is rather clunky. It's also frustrating that once in place the third-row seat cannot be split 50:50 as in the Santa Fe, which also provides a 40:20:40 split/folding centre row.
On the flipside, the Territory is able to tow more and is rated to 2700kg (braked) where the Santa Fe can draw only 2000kg. The Ford's also a little higher off the ground, giving it better ground clearance on rougher roads you might encounter. Neither of these cars are off-roaders per se.
SYNC2 brings the Ford Territory up to date on the tech front and there's no doubt that the local SUV has a dynamic edge over the import.
It's closer than ever but with the Hyundai again offering better servicing and warranty support, more kit-for-coin and better fuel economy, it remains our pick of the pair.
2015 Ford Territory Titanium AWD TDCi: | 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander AWD CRDi : |
Price: $56,740 (as tested, plus on-road costs) | Price: $53,240 (as tested, plus on-road costs) |
Engine: 2.7-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel | Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel |
Output: 140kW/440Nm | Output: 145kW/436Nm |
Transmission: Six-speed automatic | Transmission: Six-speed automatic |
Fuel: 9.0L/100km (ADR combined) | Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR combined) |
CO2: 236g/km (ADR combined) | CO2: 192g/km (ADR combined) |
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP | Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP |
What we liked: | What we liked: |
>> Rough-road ride comfort | >> Luxurious equipment levels |
>> Spacious interior and third-row | >> Better aftersales and resale |
>> Auto and AWD compatibility | >> Refined on-road feel |
Not so much: | Not so much: |
>> Clumsy third-row mechanism | >> Slightly tighter seating arrangement |
>> Less equipment for the price | >> Front-drive bias noticeable |
>> Poorer aftersales and re-sale | >> Wing mirror wind noise |