Ford Territory Outback Comparo (June 2004)

To read about where we went on our 4,000km outback trek: Click Here.

OVERVIEW
Suddenly, the boundaries have been blurred. Where once it was simple to tell the difference between a full-on off-roader and a compact wagon with four-wheel drive but hardly intended for anything other than on-road use, now it's not that easy.

The reason lies with the current crop of large, 4WD wagons with passenger-car heritages but at least some of the look and attitude of truck-like mud pluggers. Call them soft-roaders, crossovers or all-wheel-drives, the fact is cars like the Ford Territory, Holden Adventra and Toyota Kluger give potential buyers more than a little cause to reassess just what is needed in a family wagon.

The arrival of the Territory in particular is the catalyst for the drive just completed by CarPoint. We've travelled thousands of kilometres across the interior of Australia, exploring the unsealed tracks that are the destination - or the dream - of anyone who owns a 4WD. Ford's advertising shows the Territory is as much at home away from sealed roads as it is in the city: we wanted to find the truth.

To do that, we've taken the 4WD version of the Territory Ghia, and pitted it against the Adventra CV8 and Kluger CVX. To keep the soft-roaders honest, we included two "proper" off-roaders in the Toyota Prado GXL and Mitsubishi Pajero GLS. Comparable in size and price, though possibly not mechanical sophistication, the aim was to see whether the Outback could be conquered by a toughened passenger car, or whether something a little more extreme was needed.

The route we took started in Melbourne, went north to Tibooburra, across to Cameron Corner then down through the Strzelecki Desert in South Australia. Carrying extra fuel, spare tyres, camping equipment and a commitment to see what Australia has to offer, this was the trip of a lifetime, but one so rarely undertaken by our mainly urban motorists.

UNDER THE SKIN

Ranking
1. Ford Territory
2. Toyota Kluger
3. Holden Adventra
4. Mitsubishi Pajero
5. Toyota Prado

What we have here are basically two groups of vehicles: one designed with off-road use in mind, and another with passenger car origins and therefore driving characteristics skewed more towards general driving duties. Yet look deep into what makes each vehicle tick and it is far too simplistic to just say the Pajero and Prado are trucks, while the Territory, Adventra and Prado are just soft-roaders.

Well, okay. The Prado is the only vehicle here with a separate ladder-frame chassis and even a live rear axle, and that puts it firmly in the league of old-fashioned off-roaders, at least from an engineering point of view.

But Toyota has gone to a lot of trouble to mount its mid-sized wagon body on top of the rolling chassis with enough stiffness to negate handling problems associated with each major structural component moving separately, while at the same time providing isolation from road shock. A big capacity, 4.0-litre V6 provides a hefty 179kW of power, and along with 376Nm of torque, it pretty-well matches the outputs of the Territory with the same engine capacity.

The Pajero is the oldest vehicle of this bunch, but it still looks good on paper. A larger-capacity, 3.8-litre V6 was added last year to go with the five-speed automatic gearbox and all-independent suspension. While it looks every bit the off-roader, and has the big tyres, ground clearance and low-range gears to back that claim, the Pajero's body is a more car-like monocoque construction.

There is no disguising the fact the other three are definitely car-based, none more so than the Adventra. This is basically a V8-powered Commodore wagon beefed up visually with wide wheel arch flares, meaty looking bumpers and a new tail gate. It has Holden's new 4WD system, of course, has been jacked-up off the ground a little and those wider guards enclose an extended track. Like the Territory and Kluger, there are no low-range gears to call-on for serious off-roading, but with 235kW, the Adventra is easily the most powerful.

The Kluger shares its underpinnings with the Camry, but you wouldn't know to look at it. The rather plain body is wrapped around a transverse-mounted 3.3-litre V6 taking drive to all four wheels with no low range, but there's a five-speed automatic and independent suspension. It looks smaller than the others and is also lighter but interestingly, despite lacking some engine capacity, the Kluger out-powers the Pajero and almost matches the Prado and Territory on horsepower, if not torque.

Like the Adventra, the Territory is locally designed and built and that shows with its Falcon-derived, big-banger straight six. There are more Falcon bits underneath, and any taxi occupant will recognise the dash fascia - even if it is actually a wider and deeper design - but that's about it. Everything from the body to seats, suspension and 4WD drivetrain are unique to the Territory.

The Ford doesn't get low range gears, but there's optional hill-descent control and standard traction and stability control that go hand-in-hand with the 4WD system's operation. In fact, all-wheel drive can be done away with altogether and a rear-drive Territory (in any trim level) can be ordered. Like the Adventra, there's no standard third row of seats, but unlike the Holden, the Territory has a clever, optional seven-seat arrangement that like the Kluger and Pajero's system folds away under the rear floor.

At $48,990, the Kluger is the cheaper option, even if a safety pack comprising (non-switchable) traction and stability control, plus side and curtain airbags adds another $2200. That brought it closer to the Adventra CX8's $52,990 (or $53,830 with optional underbody protection plate, and the Territory Ghia AWD's $53,990 recommended retail. But add a DVD system, hill descent control, satellite navigation and a host of smaller items such as rubber mats and a tow bar, and the price of 'our' Territory blew out to $62,685. It sounds a lot, but of course it also meant the Ford had a much higher level of specification.

The Mitsubishi and Prado look a little more expensive at $55,590 and $55,270 (as automatics) but there's not much between them and the Adventra or Territory, even if they were slightly less equipped.

IN THE CABIN

Rnaking
1. Toyota Kluger
2. Ford Territory
3. Holden Adventra
4. Toyota Prado
5. Mitsibishi Pajero

We covered thousands of kilometres in these cars over a surprising variety of road surfaces, from strewn rocks and gravel to sand, slippery mud and plenty of bitumen as well. Apart from anything else, it gave plenty of time to become familiar with ergonomics, driving positions and operation of controls. Stacks of camping equipment in the rear meant there was no room for passengers, but you can read about that in the accompanying on-road comparison.

There's no doubt the Territory is a comfortable place to be, especially in Ghia form, with its leather seats, excellent stereo and higher than usual seating position giving a good view of the road. It is also quiet, with low levels of wind and road noise, and strong on safety features with airbag protection on all fronts, plus active features such as stability and traction control.

In Ghia form there's a screen on the centre console that gives plenty of information on ventilation, trip computer and stereo functions. Storage spots abound near the driver with bins between and next to the seat and inset on the dashboard. Cruise control switches on the steering wheel are a highlight, but other buttons hidden by the wheel itself are less satisfying in an ergonomic sense.

The Adventra's interior would be familiar to any Commodore driver because from the driver's seat, there's little difference, and even the seating position seems not much higher than the standard Holden. There's just about every gadget you'd need in the CX8, from cruise and climate control air-conditioning, a trip computer and side airbags to six-disc in-dash CD player and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls. It is a comfortable place to be, and the cabin well laid out, but it's just a pity there isn't more differentiation between all-wheeler and road car.

There's certainly nothing Camry-like about the Kluger, and in fact there's a certain style about the interior of the Toyota soft-roader that's at odds with its frumpy exterior. Stereo and ventilation controls are housed in a pronounced centre-dashboard pod and in true Toyota fashion, everything is easy to find and use.

Unlike the Ford and Holden, the Kluger's steering column is not adjustable for reach, but the driving position is high enough to provide a good view without giving a truck-like awkwardness. For some reason, the trip computer doesn't have a distance to empty function, but otherwise, the Kluger is well equipped, comfortable and ergonomically sound.

The same goes for the Prado, although its interior is a little more plain and the seating positions are much higher off the ground. In GXL trim, the Prado has a reasonable amount of equipment, with the basics of cruise control, six-stacker and climate included, even if things like leather and stability control are left to the more expensive Grande.

The Pajero GLS has a very similar specification, and like the Prado, misses out on leather and a trip computer. Its interior is looking a little old fashioned as befitting the Pajero's age, and the prominent display on the centre console -- with time, date, altitude and compass direction -- would make more sense if it also included things like stereo and trip information.

The basic rundown is that the Territory and Kluger are well equipped, comfortable and strike a good balance in seating between off-roader and passenger car, while the Adventra is skewed more towards the latter end of the scale. For their price, the Pajero and Prado don't seem as well-equipped but they have been built for a different purpose and presumably their off-road features are what's being paid for by the customer.

BITUMEN AND DIRT

Ranking
1. Toyota Prado
2. Toyota Kluger
3. Holden Adventra
4. Ford Territory
5. Mitsubishi Pajero

It is a long drive to reach the interior of Australia from our starting point in Melbourne, and you learn more about a car's cruise control and stereo than the way it drives in tougher conditions. But the fact is all of these cars are good on the highway, with various strengths and weaknesses.

For instance, the Kluger's smaller engine needs to be knocked down a gear or two in hilly sections for best performance, while the V8 Adventra simply powers through everything but uses more fuel doing it. Given the Prado has the more hard-core off-road specification it is surprisingly refined on-road, with a compliant ride, good steering and handling, and low noise levels. The Pajero is more noisy and despite all-independent suspension, doesn't ride the bumps as well. But the Territory is the pick of the bunch with excellent steering response, comfortable and supportive seats, ample engine power and a more car-like driving position.

Things change when you hit the dirt. We're talking the relatively high-speed, unsealed highways that criss-cross Australia's outback, from the Silver City between Broken Hill and Tibooburra, west from there to Cameron Corner and Merty, then south again along the Strzelecki Track. Smooth, hard-packed sand might give way to deep ruts in an instant, and in our case earlier rain had left big holes, washaways and all sorts of lumpy surfaces that tested a vehicle's ground clearance.

In fact, none of the five were tested more than the Territory. On smoother, unsealed roads this car is a delight, with stable and adjustable handling, and its stability control system teams with all-wheel-drive to keep lateral movement under control without being too obtrusive.

When things get a little rougher the Territory is less impressive, mainly because it lacks ground clearance and all-too often drags its undercarriage across whatever higher obstacles might be on the road. That might mean rocks, clods of dirt, or more frequently, the high section between two wheel ruts where the optional sump-guard cops a pounding. It means caution is required to avoid damaging the car, and consequently the driver has less confidence in maintaining speed in variable conditions.

The Adventra is a little better in most respects: it doesn't look much higher off the ground than the Ford, but a smoother underbody seemed to cop less hits. That's despite the Holden having low-profile, 55-section tyres more attuned to on-road handling than ground clearance or longevity. This was borne out when a particularly nasty cattle grid - approached at some speed, admittedly - bent a rim and deflated a tyre.

On smoother roads, the Holden handles well, with plenty of V8 power to maintain momentum, even if its power advantage is somewhat negated on dirt roads where gentle throttle applications are more advisable than all-out speed.

The Adventra's steering is heavy and somewhat wooden, but lightens as speed builds and the 4WD system does an excellent job of distributing torque to the wheel that needs it most. Having said that, there's a definite rear-drive bias to the handling that might please drivers who like the back to slide around, but not those who prefer outright grip and stability. Less attractive is the clunky old four-speed automatic that lacks the Territory's excellent tiptronic manual gearshift function.

The Kluger is by far the most preferable of our three soft-roaders on these sort of roads, and it's all down to ground clearance. Okay, the plastic cover for the fuel tank didn't last long and was broken somewhere along one of the rougher dirt highways. But the 70-series tyres cushion from road shock, and the Toyota passes over obstacles the Territory is more likely to scrape its guts along. The Kluger driver quickly learns that with appropriate caution, this is a car that can travel over rougher roads with more confidence than the Ford or Holden.

The only factor not in the Kluger's favour was the stability control system fitted to our test car but normally optional on the CVX model. It was constantly in operation, even on straight but rough surfaces, beeping away and killing power intrusively when least needed.

Of the two off-roaders, the Pajero was the most disappointing. Granted, it certainly had more ground clearance than the soft roaders, and reasonably heavy-duty tyres that didn't need babying over rocks. But the ride is jarring over corrugations, the suspension noisy and much of the crashing and banging transmitted to the cabin. In its favour, Mitsubishi's 4WD system can be left in rear-drive mode if a little fuel saving seems necessary, but it too had an intrusive stability control system that would cut power just as the driver needed to power out of a corner or through a sand patch or mud hole.

There's little to criticise in the way the Prado performed. It simply steamrolled the toughest terrain, and at some speed because of its ample ground clearance, big tyres and gutsy engine. Its constant 4WD is unhampered by traction or stability systems, but it is the Prado's refinement that is perhaps most impressive. Despite its truck-like specification, this is a vehicle with car-like noise levels and a confidence-inspiring ability to bowl along poor roads without risk of damage or incident.

BEYOND THE ROADS

Ranking
1. Toyota Prado
2. Mitsubishi Pajero
3. Toyota Kluger
4. Holden Adventra
5. Ford Territory

Truth be told, this story was more about covering ground on outback highways rather than travelling cross country so the amount of truly gritty, low-speed off-roading was limited. But there was the odd occasion when a dry creek needed crossing to find a camp site, a sand dune just had to be climbed or a long stretch of muddy bog hole tested traction.

None of the vehicles actually got stuck but that's not to say they were all the same. The Territory's rear bumper, for instance, became unstuck when the car stepped off a sandy ledge that the Pajero and Prado had no trouble crossing and in sand, the Kluger's non-switchable traction and stability control simply kills power when a degree of wheelspin is needed. Both the Pajero and Territory's systems, in contrast, can be turned off if that situation presents.

There's no doubting the Prado and Pajero's low-range crawler gears, higher bodies and greater approach and departure angles make them the choice for real off-roading and when things get really tough, the Toyota's live rear axle has more articulation and the locking rear differential provides an extra degree of traction.

But it is also true that with some prudence, the Territory, Kluger and Adventra can go places their passenger car donor vehicles couldn't even approach

OWNERSHIP COSTS

Ranking
1. Toyota Kluger
2. Ford Territory
3. Mitsubishi Pajero
4. Toyota Prado
5. Holden Adventra

CarPoint has ranked the five vehicles based on retail price, 12 months servicing costs and comprehensive insurance estimates. Please note these figures are correct as of June 2004,and should serve as a guide for comparison only. Any person seeking to purchase one of the five vehicles should conduct their own research closer to the time of purchase.

Recommended Retail Price / As Tested

Insurance
Twelve month comprehensive insurance estimate based on 35-year-old male, garaged off-street in Balwyn (Victoria). Assumes no finance on vehicle and driver has rating one and clean licence.

Resale Value
Estimated resale value after three years and 60,000km expressed as a percentage of retail price.

Servicing Costs
Assumes 20,000km per annum, however recommended servicing intervals vary from 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000km. All prices include parts and labour. As Labour rates vary from dealership to dealership, we have used an average indicative rate per hour.

Fuel Consumption

Ranking
1. Toyota Kluger
2. Mitsubishi Pajero
3. Holden Adventra
4. Toyota Prado
5. Ford Territory

These figures were achieved during our seven-day, 3600km Outback test and include city and suburban driving, sealed highway and dirt outback highways, and some off-road usage. Figures are quoted in litres per 100km.

See more detailed information further down the page.

Trip average:

Section By Section

VERDICT

Ranking
1. Toyota Prado
2. Toyota Kluger
3. Mitsubishi Pajero
4. Holden Adventra
5. Ford Territory

What we've done is pounded five similarly priced and sized 4WD vehicles over some pretty tough roads to see which handles the kind of conditions an owner might encounter on an outback camping trip. We weren't interested in how five kids might squeeze into the rear or which one is best to park at the shopping centre, but neither did we tackle any punishing, low-speed off-road sections.

So for the conditions we encountered, it's difficult to go past the Prado. It is the complete package for rough roads and long distances, having the ground clearance to turn the Strzelecki Track into a country highway but also maintaining a high degree of refinement on bitumen. It might not be terribly economical, but its huge fuel tank gives plenty of range in a country where fuel stops are few and far between. It also performs well, is comfortable, and reasonably well-equipped for the price.

The Pajero would be second choice, again for its ground clearance and the insurance of low-range gears in really tough stuff. But its lack of refinement is surprising given the independent rear suspension that does little to give a comfortable or quiet ride.

It's probably no surprise that the two off-roaders are the better choice in this environment, but what of the three soft roaders? In these conditions - and again, it must be stressed, we're talking mainly rough roads - the Territory acquitted itself the least admirably and it all comes down to ground clearance. On roads where surprises lurk over each rise and around each corner, it is not a comfortable feeling that the next rock encountered in the Territory might be its last. Then there's the fuel consumption that substantially limits range. Balancing that, of course, are its excellent handling, steering, cabin ambience and seating that mean if the roads were more predictable, the Territory would be first choice.

The Adventra is a surprise. Given it looks like a lightly modified Commodore wagon, not much was expected of it. True, the steering is woefully heavy and dead at low speeds, the V8 likes a drink, it doesn't have a clever seven-seat arrangement and there's nothing special about the price. But it was unstoppable on these roads - apart from a bent rim -- and enjoyable to drive, with quite agile handling and no intrusive electronic aids getting in the way. Think of the Adventra as an off-roader with muscle-car appeal, and you're close to the mark.

But it's the Kluger that did the best job and therefore is the choice of the three soft roaders. It doesn't look special, seems small from the outside and the engine lacks a smidge of torque, but that's about it. In CVX form, it is much better value than the Ford or Holden, uses far less fuel, has a more refined engine and transmission, carries its fair-share of the load and treats the driver to comfort and not a small amount of driving enjoyment.

But its main advantage is that when the roads get tough, the Kluger's ground clearance and more sensibly specified tyres mean it can travel over rough ground that the other two do on tippy toes. The Prado might be the first choice out of the five, but if all-out off-roading isn't on the agenda, then the Kluger does more than just fine. It beats the Territory and Adventra on their home turf.

SECOND OPINIONS

Glenn Butler - Editor
Fact is, Territory was never meant to win this comparison. If it had proved a more capable Outback Attack vehicle than the LandCruiser Prado, hundreds of loyal Toyota employees would be forced to resign in disgrace. No, there are few vehicles as capable as the LandCruiser Prado at crossing this great country.

The Ford Territory was, however, supposed to prove a more capable steed than the Holden Adventra or the Toyota Kluger. And on that basis, it didn't make the grade.

Am I being to hard on Territory? Should CarPoint really have thrown it against the Australian Outback? Is that what owners will expect of this new generation SUV?

Those are all good questions and the simple answer is yes. Every time.

Why? Because Territory's overtly 4WD-esque styling blatantly cashes in on the four-wheel drive popularity explosion, and perception is reality. If it looks like a four-wheel drive it should perform like a four-wheel drive. Even Ford's own television advertisement, which is filled with exciting and emotive offroad scenarios, implies the same. Why, then, doesn't the product live up to the hype?

Three key areas: ground clearance, fuel consumption and its four-wheel drive system. If you want to know more, read CarPoint's very comprehensive comparison of which this little opinion piece is but a small part.

In all seriousness, our support vehicle, Ford's awesome RTV Ute, proved more capable than Territory in the tricky stuff. Perhaps a locking rear diff and another inch underneath would improve Territory's credentials... If Ford builds it, CarPoint will go back to the Outback and find out. Guaranteed.

Jonathan Hawley
Above all else, the one thing that's needed from a vehicle on outback roads is dependability. When road conditions can change in the blink of an eye, road crews and mechanics are far away and a damaged car can mean much more than just a ruined holiday, having something that gets you out of trouble isn't just desirable, it's necessary.

That's why I'm a bit wary of the Territory and Adventra in these conditions. Both needed to be driven gingerly at times when the road was chopped up by water or rocks, and there were things clunking off the underside of the Holden, and especially the Ford, that didn't bear thinking about. Both might have made it through conditions that would have stopped a Falcon or Commodore, but I'm not sure either of these soft-roaders was made with the Outback in mind. The Territory handles well on smooth roads but you get the feeling ground clearance was sacrificed for a lower roll centre.

The Kluger's a much better proposition on rougher roads. It is amazing what an extra couple of centimetres ground clearance can make once the driver realises you can straddle a rock in the middle of the road, rather than have to steer around every one. The same goes for tyres with more cushioning effect than, say, the Adventra's lower profile rubber. The Kluger doesn't just ride comfortably, it can cop harsher surfaces. But if I bought a Kluger, it would be without the optional stability control.

Still, if I had to do the trip again in one vehicle the Prado would be the choice. The Pajero is part-way there, but has relatively ponderous handling and less isolation from road shock, and its non-switchable stability control is at odds with a car designed for the dirt. By comparison, the Prado can steamroll the harshest roads without sacrificing ride comfort and the long range tank is a huge comfort. It might not be what I'd want in the suburbs, but away from sealed roads the Prado is king.

David McCarthy
I am a disappointed man. I had high expectations of the Territory after it wowed me in New Zealand with its high speed stability, interior flexibility and ability to climb wet grassy knolls. Take it to the Outback though and pit it against its deadly rivals and it fails to deliver.

All it would have taken to remove this disappointment was an extra inch or so of ground clearance. Put simply the Territory dragged its bits on the ground when the Prado, Pajero, Kluger and even the Adventra behaved like hovercrafts. I know it's not a 'real' 4wd, but then neither are the Adventra or Kluger.

The Prado and Pajero are butch 4WDs that ironically sell more in urban areas than in the bush. They coped with everything we could throw at them over what was 4000km of the most varied roads Australia has to offer.

The Prado is my pick for the one to take to the Outback. Sure it's a bus around town, but out in the bush it is unbeatable. A spacious, comfy cabin, good stability at speed and the sort of quality that goes more than skin deep, explain why you see more Toyota 4WDs in the bush than any other brand. I have never warmed to the Tonka styling, but if that is the price you pay for this level of competence then so be it.

The Pajero is confident off road, but the traction control can spoil the fun and its high speed stability is suspect, not to mention dated cabin ergonomics. Don't even consider it around town, it feels like a bungalow riding on balloons. It's getting old and no amount of fancy cladding or gadgets can disguise this. It never stops feeling like a truck dressed up as a tart. Mitsubishi: It's time to replace Pajero.

The Adventra surprised me with its ability to go places that I would never think a Commodore wagon on stilts would. The combination of V8 grunt, a relatively simple yet effective all wheel drive system provided heaps of on fun on broken surfaces. The Adventra is a sports wagon with a more off road ability than you would think. The heavy steering, clunky transmission and sedan-based interior dull its appeal around town. Give it a bit more ground clearance and some knobbly tyres and it could make a pretty convincing case for itself.

The Toyota Kluger is exceptional at nothing, but bloody good at everything. It's economical, quick, beautifully put together and has surprising all road ability. Do yourself a favour and avoid the traction control option if you can. All it will do is annoy you with its beeping, and if you are close to getting bogged, it will ensure you do when it cuts power.

No wonder it was in the final count at last year's Wheels Car of the Year.