Road Test: Ford SY Territory MkII

Review by Feann Torr - 13/May/2009

When the original Ford Territory launched in 2004 it was a revolution. There was nothing else like it.

It's even been called the original crossover and was of particular interest to many buyers because until then, there were no other SUVs designed. developed and manufactured in Australia.

The Territory offered a modern look that still holds it's own today, it had a surfeit of room for the entire family's belongings with seating for up to seven people and even a modicum of off-road ability.

Most importantly it was pleasant to drive and sat atop the mid-sized 4WD sales charts in 2005, 2006, and 2007, accumulating numerous awards along the way, such as Australia's Best Car (SUV).

But when Toyota's new generation Kluger came along the Territory's time at the top began to fade. Then Mazda's CX-9 joined the fray along with affordable diesel-powered SUVs like the Holden Captiva and Hyundai Santa Fe, precipitating a downward slide that would see Territory sales slip by as much as 40%.

It's been a long wait for first-time Territory buyers wanting to get their hands on a newer, more advanced SUV and while this is not an all-new model per se, there are numerous changes that Ford hopes will result in a sales turnaround. 

Showing off a subtle new style and boasting improved safety features, Ford's updated 'MkII' Territory is primed and ready to go, solet's take a closer look:

While its imported rivals have taken the wind out of its sails, the updated SY Territory MkII benefits from a mild visual update, which is the first thing you notice about the new model.

Arriving in Blue Oval dealerships by the time you read this, all variants now come with newly designed 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, new bonnets, upper grilles, fog lamp bezels, headlights, front fascias and also new brake lamp designs.

The front end gets new metal but doesn't stray too far from the original design. Apart from the slightly different headlights and lower grille, the new-look alloy wheels probably make the biggest visual impression.

The SY Territory MkII is not what you'd call an all-new model because most of the mechanical aspects remain the same. Even Ford admits this is a "minor change of the product" but an all-new model is expected to arrive later in 2010, possibly with diesel-power for the first time.

Yet this mid-life update does give the Territory a much-needed refresh that, together with improved value via a handful of new comfort and safety features, could spark renewed interest in what is and always has been a very capable family vehicle.

The range starts with the rear-wheel drive TX model which is priced at under $40,000 (AWD models have a $5,000 premium) and tops out at the Ghia Turbo, which won't leave you much change from $70,000 after paying on-road costs and whatnot.

 Territory TX RWD 4-speed auto $39,490
 Territory TS RWD 4-speed auto $44,490
 Territory Ghia RWD 4-speed auto $52,490
 Territory TX AWD 6-speed auto $44,490
 Territory TS AWD 6-speed auto $49,490
 Territory Ghia AWD 6-speed auto $57,490
 Territory Ghia Turbo AWD 6-speed auto $66,420

There are a number of new features across the range including cruise control, alloy wheels, six airbags and full body colour packages as standard, which now includes matching colour door handles and mirrors. According to the marketing types, more body colour means more value.

The addition of curtain airbags as standard on all models is an important feature, one which brings the Territory in line with many of its rivals in terms of safety systems and particularly as the vehicle is aimed at family buyers.

Slotting in as the mid-range model is the TS, which adds a reverse parking camera plus third row seats, which used to be an $1,800 option. It also gets some leather on commonly used areas such as the gear shifter, handbrake and steering wheel and external fog lights are also added.

The range-topping Ghia models get Alpine rear DVD systems to keep the young (or old) whipper-snappers amused, rear privacy glass, side steps and larger 18-inch alloys. 

The king-of-the-hill Ghia Turbo model gets the same fitout as the Ghia but with different wheels, grille treatment and 'that' iconic engine, which we'll get to in a moment.

The interiors have been given a new lick of paint with the entry-level TX getting a dark overall tone, with black dash plastics and charcoal cloth trim. 

All other models in the range offer a choice of dark or light trim with Ghia and Ghia Turbo receiving leather upholstery. I reckon if you can accept a few spillages from the kids, the light trim is the way to go as it gives the cabin a more refined look and feel.

By and large the interiors are fairly good with wide and comfortable front seats and decent leg room for the mid rows. The third row gets pretty tight, but that's to be expected of most crossover SUVs with fold-away seats in the cargo area.

The choice of materials, even in the entry-level TX models, are fairly good though the soft-touch dash plastics of the Falcon are replaced with harsher plastics which was a bit of a disappointment. 

Some areas of the interior haven't changed, with carryover dials, controls, and layouts, but the smaller touches like the lockable drawer underneath the front seat and the adjustable beverage/bottle holders in the doors are very welcome.

Overall the interiors are fairly well finished. They have good CD stereos (with MP3 player and iPod inputs) and there's a large amount of room in almost all dimensions, making the 2009 model Territory a pleasant place to spend time.

Ford decided against supplying the Territory with updated engine used in the FG Falcon, yet fuel efficiency has been improved on the entry and mid-level rear-wheel drive models (TX & TS) by about 5%, from 12.2L/100km to a claimed 11.6L/100km (9.1L/100km on the freeway and 16L/100km in the 'burbs according to official figures). 

The efficiency improvement came about via tweaks to the fuel injection mapping and a more effective catalytic converter, but the fuel consumption of the AWD models (which come standard with 6-speed autos) remains the same, between 12.2L/100km for the entry-level models and up to 14.2L/100km for the hard-charging Ghia Turbo.

These are the claimed figures and our average consumption in the AWD Ghia was roughly 14.2L/100km after some highway cruising and a fair bit of foot-to-the-floor driving on winding roads with sweeping corners, which was above the claimed 12.9L of that model.

All-wheel drive models come with the high-spec 6-speed gearbox, which is a real charmer. Exhibiting smooth shifts, intelligent timing and an excellent manual override mode that allows drivers more control, it's a pleasure to use.

The 4-speeder may be getting a bit long in the tooth but it still does a decent job of keeping the car honest. Though not as refined as counterpart, it does a reliable job of getting the 6-cylinder engine's 190 kilowatts of power to the ground.

When asked what mechanical changes were made to the MkII SY Territory, Ford's marketing machine responded 'nothing'. Some would argue that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

On the road the Territory is (still) one of the best vehicles in its class. The ride quality is excellent, bettered only by a couple of SUVs from Germany and Japan.

Having not driven the Territory for about three years, I'd forgotten how civilised and car-like it is to drive: it's very composed on the road.

The direct steering input and responsive handling make driving the Territory in everyday situations very relaxed, almost effortless. Even when we punted the Territory MkII through twisty roads, I found it far more satisfying to drive than an SUV should be, and the fitment of dynamic stability control as standard is always reassuring should the heavens open up.

The handling is impressive for such a big and bulky SUV, with body roll kept in check for the most part. This allows the vehicle to track cleanly through most sweeping corners though you do have to slow down somewhat for tighter corners.

Because all models have larger wheels and wider tyres, the Territory's roadholding ability has improved slightly and this promotes a secure sensation when cornering.

Powered by the same 'Barra' 4.0-litre inline 6-cylinder engine as the previous model, the Territory is a solid performer.

The engine is fairly responsive, especially the AWD models with 6-speed auto. The 4-speed auto is getting toward the end of its life, but in both cases the engine remains a refined, powerful unit easily capable of hauling the Territory's hefty bulk. 

The gear changes in the 4-speeder aren't as silky smooth as the 6-speed ZF (which is made in Germany) but the tip tronic sports shift mode is intuitive and enjoyable to use while also giving the crossover SUV the flexibility of a manual.

With 383Nm of torque @ a low 2500rpm, there's plenty of mid-range oomph and the Territory can be hustled along quite nicely. That said, it is equally happy to meander around at low engine speeds.

Of course if you want the kind of machismo to rival the V8-powered uber-SUVs made in Germany, such as the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5, the Ford Territory Ghia Turbo is the way to go. 

Outputting 245kW and 480Nm of torque, the turbocharged 4.0-litre engine gives the Territory wings.

Overtaking other cars on the freeway is not only effortless, it's rather enjoyable. There's a smooth wave of torque that builds steadily at almost any road speed, capable of driving the car forward with real aggression. Foot to the floor, the turbocharged Territory surges ahead with an astonishing amount of force for something that weighs almost 2.2 tonnes.

Because the Territory Ghia Turbo uses an all-wheel drive setup, it really rips away from standstill with a smooth level of turbocharged force. It's an incredibly smooth and refined vehicle that shows just how good Australian-made products can be.

The new MkII range gets rid of the standard 'Turbo' model in favour of the Ghia Turbo, which Ford says is because most buyers of the high performance Territory wanted the luxury levels of the Ghia anyway.

With a large boot, standard roof rails, and a double-hinged tailgate opening, the Territory is a thoroughly practical vehicle and while the new models are largely just a mild cosmetic update with some value-added features, it doesn't detract from the fact that Ford's home-grown crossover SUV was a very good vehicle in the first place. 

With some 86,000 vehicles already sold, the proof in the pudding. It's not as successful as it once was, but that's chiefly because there's now more choice in the market, as opposed to the vehicle's shortcomings which are relatively few.

Overall: 3.5/5

Ford has given the Territory such a subtle nip and tuck that from some angles it's hard to spot the difference. But for the most part the MkII update does freshen Ford's well-regarded SUV and it does have a touch more presence on the road.

Many buyers in this segment will choose their new vehicle based on its exterior design, which is one of the reasons the Kluger is so popular, and Ford figured a minor update before the all-new model arrives later in 2010 would be better than leaving it as is.

The new MkII Territory is basically a face-lift and still hasn't addressed the issue of alternative fuel sources, such as LPG or diesel, but it does make a very competent and flexible vehicle much more appealing.