Ford once dominated the compact crossover genre with its strong-selling EcoSport, which sold for a decade in South Africa before being discontinued globally in 2022.
The blue oval recently got back into the game with two new SUV ranges launched a few months apart, both at more premium price points than the budget-focused EcoSport.
The Puma was introduced in December as a Fiesta-based crossover in two 1.0l petrol turbo variants and earlier in May it was followed by the larger Territory crossover in three models with 1.8l petrol turbo power.
The two ranges overlap in pricing and potentially risk cannibalising sales from each other but they’re not direct rivals
The two ranges overlap in pricing and potentially risk cannibalising sales from each other, but they’re not direct rivals. The Territory targets a more family-focused demographic with its superior size and practicality and at 4,630mm in length it is substantially larger than the 4,207mm Puma.
With a ground clearance of 190mm the Territory also rides higher than the 164mm Puma, making it potentially more suited to gravel expeditions, though like the Puma it is available in front-wheel drive only.
Imported from China where it is assembled by Ford partner Jianling Motors Corporation, the Territory has three models priced from R590,000 to R721,000.
I drove the top-spec Titanium version, which spares little in the luxury department with standard fare such as wireless phone charging, a twin-panel panoramic roof, ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eight-speaker audio system, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and dual-zone climate control.
The Titanium model has driver aids such as blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
The cabin feels pleasantly swanky, with soft touch surfaces, leather upholstery in an unusual blue-and-black combo and dark wooden panels adorning the dashboard and doors.
A panoramic display atop the dash integrates the infotainment system with a high-definition digital instrument cluster. The digitised functions seem reasonably simple to operate with finger control or a rotary controller on the centre console, but an ergonomic faux pas is having the two front USB ports located in a difficult-to-access storage nook under the centre console. Trying to plug in a phone without crouching on the floor with a torch was the devil’s own job.
The Territory is spacious inside with almost limousine-like rear legroom. The 448l boot will swallow a fair amount of luggage, though the spare wheel is a space saver.
I drove the Ford on a 460km round trip between Johannesburg and the Nampo agricultural show in the Free State and enjoyed its easy cruising power. The 138kW/318Nm 1.8 turbo petrol engine feels pleasantly thrustful and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is quick and responsive.
A Sport driving mode can be selected to make the car feel more alert and there are three other settings: Normal, Eco and Mountain. Gears are selected by a rotary e-Shifter in the centre console with an electronic parking brake.
On the mostly open road drive, the Territory’s fuel consumption averaged a frugal 8.2l/100km, with Ford claiming 7.0l is attainable in a town/freeway mix.
The car is refined, keeping wind and noise well muted. The ride quality felt impressively cushy on the Titanium’s 50-profile 19" tyres (the other models have higher-profile 18" rubber) and it included a lengthy stint on a rippled gravel road. The road was so rough I was surprised there were no permanent rattles in the car after we got off the wrinkled surface. Build quality seems solid.
The car doesn’t feel as nimble in the corners as the hatchback-like Ford Puma but handles neatly enough for a high-riding crossover and doesn’t feel wallowy.
The Territory competes in a fiercely competitive segment against rivals such as the Toyota Rav4, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Volkswagen Tiguan, Haval H6 and Kia Sportage, some of which have the advantage of all-wheel drive.
The front-wheel drive Ford is no off-roader but hill launch assist and hill descent control provide assistance on steep gradients.
Prices:
- Territory Ambiente 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT — R590,000;
- Territory Trend 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT — R646,600; and
- Territory Titanium 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT — R721,000.
Prices include a four-year/120,000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and an optional R14,000 service plan.
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