9 February 2011
New car report; Familiar territory.
A group of car-crazy teenagers who are usually impressed by the latest press vehicles we test summed it up best. "What's new about that?" was the question posed, upon feasting their eyes on the attractively coloured Ford Territory Ghia Turbo.
Well, like all facelifts, there's the mandatory new bumpers, lights and grille, and a few other little tweaks, but you'd need to have the old and new side by side to notice, and even then you'd need a pretty keen eye to spot the differences.
The range-topping Ghia spec Territory Turbo we tested comes standard with privacy glass, running boards, and five spoke 18 inch alloy wheels. There's also driver's seat memory function and electric windows with one shot down for driver, but still no one shot up.
The cabin is well laid out, if not opulent or cutting edge
Leather seats, a reversing camera, DVD system in the rear and a third row of seats, along with dual climate air-conditioning and automatic headlights help to make up a decent equipment package.
While the expected audio and cruise control functions on the steering wheel are easy enough to follow in daylight, they are not illuminated. So unless you're in the minority of drivers who read the handbook upon delivery, using the steering wheel switches for the first time in the dark is something of a lottery, especially given that the on/off switch for the cruise control is hidden away behind the steering wheel.
With full-time 4WD and a silky smooth six speed automatic transmission, power is transferred to the road via 235/55/R18's, making for high levels of grip and confident handling. Suspension set-up is firm, but not overly so.
We've been critical of a number of vehicles in this sector in recent times for having excessive intrusive noise levels, particularly on New Zealand's course chip seal. This is usually compounded by the fitment of 18 inch wheels with low profile rubber, but hats off to Ford here, as the Territory is one of the quietest in class.
Grunty but hungry
The 245kW turbo-charged 4.0 litre straight six petrol engine, developing 480Nm of torque at 2,000rpm delivers an impressive punch, pushing the 2,175kg Territory Turbo along at a decent rate of knots.
Fuel economy is quoted at 14.2L/100km for the combined cycle, a figure we managed to achieve when driven carefully, but anyone with a slightly lead foot will find the turbo-charged SUV slurps the precious 95-98 octane juice with gusto.
Offering an abundance of safety features, including side curtain airbags in the front and second row seats as well as child seat anchorages in the second and third rows, giving a total of five child seat anchorages, a 5 star ANCAP safety rating is achieved.
At 144mm short of 5 metres in length, in five seat configuration (ie; with the third seating row folded flat) there's plenty of cargo space, with up to 1,153 litres of luggage capacity.
Towing capacity is rated at 1,000kg unbraked or 1,600kg/2,300kg braked, depending on whether you opt for the standard or heavy duty towing kit.
Although it's far from the most contemporary SUV money can buy, the Territory Ford Territory Ghia Turbostill rates as a good practical 7 seat family vehicle. Styling looks a little dated for 2010, but the Territory is easy on the eye, a decent drive and well put together.
Pricing for the Territory Ghia Turbo we tested is listed at $67,990.
So until the new diesel powered model arrives later in the year, it won't make the pulse race but it's sure to provide dependable service.