Ford Territory 2004 Review

What we liked
>> Great value for money
>> Versatile, practical cabin
>> Really is fun to drive

Not so much
>> Poor fuel consumption
>> Creaky dash, mechanical knocks
>> Lethargic at low revs, or on hills

URBAN ASSAULT: Ford Territory tackles four popular people movers, including the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Kluger, Mitsubishi Grandis and Holden Zafira. Click here for details

OVERVIEW
In 1998 Ford Australia's fortunes were plummeting. Australians didn't like the edgy AU Falcon, and were deserting the brand in droves. Six years of Holden Commodore domination kicked off and Ford executives despaired, looking deep within themselves for the reasons why, and what they could do to turn the company around.

Work began on the 2002 BA Falcon, and Ford turned its searching gaze outwards -- to the consumer. Admitting the answers to their problems lay with consumers and not highly paid, overdressed 'industry experts' within the company was a defining moment in Ford's return to prominence.

Suffice it to say, Ford could not afford another AU Falcon.

What Ford's consumer clinics would reveal about our wants and needs would impact the company far beyond the critically acclaimed BA Falcon it launched in 2002. Consumer feedback identified a second product, a nebulous 'multi-vehicle' that combined attributes from sedans, people movers and four-wheel-drives. A desirable MPV (multi-purpose vehicle).

Geoff Polites, Ford Australia president from 1999 to 2004, explains: "People were telling us they really want an amalgam of three types of vehicle. Take a typical family sedan, a people mover and a four-wheel-drive and combine their best attributes. That means the high seating position and bold styling of the four-wheel-drive, the ability to carry seven people like the MPV, and passenger car ride and handling."

That's the goal, but does the Ford Territory -- the result of six years and a $500 million investment -- deliver? Does Ford's first all-new vehicle in nearly 40 years, the first locally designed and built crossover wagon, have the appeal and ability consumers demand? Ford thinks so, and so do we.

Ford will offer six versions of the Territory -- three specification levels in rear drive and also all-wheel drive -- all powered by the Falcon's 182kW six-cylinder engine. Both types will be outwardly identical, except for tyres and a subtle AWD badge on the panel behind the front wheel.

Pricing at the time of writing (April 2004) is set at $38,990 for the base model TX, $44,790 for the mid-spec TS and $49,290 for the Ghia model. All-wheel drive is a $4000 option on each, a third row of seats adds $1500, and vehicle HDC hill descent control adds $865.

So who'd want to buy a Territory? Polites reckons the main target market for this vehicle "is the established family. Buyers in this market want a vehicle that is practical and versatile, with an interior package that accommodates an active lifestyle. But they also want something stylish and fun to drive."

Territory's appeal goes wider than that, however. It's sub-$40,000 price tag, powerful six-cylinder engine, roomy interior and tough 4WD looks will attract all types of buyers to the Ford brand.

FEATURES
Territory, which goes on sale in June 2004, was conceived and designed in Australia, and is built at Broadmeadows in Victoria alongside the Ford Falcon. It is not built on the Falcon platform; instead it shares a number of key components like the six-cylinder engine, four-speed automatic gearbox, rear suspension and key interior items.

The Ford Territory comes in three model grades; TX, TS and Ghia. Buyers will be able to choose all three in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Only one engine and transmission pairing exists at launch; a 182kW 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine mated to Ford's four-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox.

Entry level Territorys -- both RWD and AWD -- are five seaters and come standard with air-conditioning, power front driver's seat, power adjustable pedals, front and rear power windows, electric mirrors, remote central locking, in-dash CD player, trip computer and fabric interior trim.

Steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Falcon's ICC Interior Command Centre -- a fancy name for stereo and HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning controls) -- and a 60/40 split folding second row of seats are also standard.

High-spec Territorys add automatic headlights, dual zone climate control, leather interior, cruise control, six-stack CD player, colour ICC display screen and a folding rear cargo shelf. Externally, the high series gets alloy wheels, body coloured bumpers, fog lights and rear parking sensors.

The third row of seats -- with its nifty sliding seat squab -- is an optional extra on all models, and you lose the under floor storage bin in the rear. The sliding second row of seats is available as part of the third row option.

For boat or caravan owners -- or anyone who tows -- a tow pack is also optional, in either 1600kg or 2300kg configurations.

COMFORT
Step inside and the Falcon 'hand-me-downs' are obvious; from the dashboard layout to all user controls and touch-points. There are some bespoke additions, however, including the front seats, which sit 100mm higher from the ground than Falcon. The dashboard is 70mm higher, which means a net gain of 30mm in 'command' driving position. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, and adjustable pedals -- debuted on the BA Falcon -- are standard on all Territory models.

Entry and exit from the both rows of five-seat Territorys is a cinch, thanks to wide door openings and the vehicle's high ride height. Seven-seat access is a bit trickier, and requires scrabbling over a folded second-row seat, but can be accomplished without much loss of dignity by adults.

Interior space feels cavernous, a real accomplishment in a car that is shorter overall than a Falcon. It is wider and taller, which proves that occupant space has been the main focus. The second and third row of seats rise progressively higher than the preceding row by 40mm, delivering what is called 'theatre-style' seating.

Second-row legroom is ample, as is headroom, though the third-row is best left to kids -- adults will fit height-wise and leg-wise, the latter depends on the second-row being slid forward up to 60mm.

With the back two rows folded forward, there's a flat cargo area capable of swallowing a 1.8m person lying down, or a mountain bike with the front wheel off. Unlike some of its more expensive competition, headrests do not need to be removed first.

Territory comes with more than 30 storage compartments, from cupholders in the doors and centre console and sliding draws under the front seats to a 'wet-storage' bin under the rear floor -- though you'll lose this if the seven-seat option is ticked. Another option is a triple-folding cargo cover, which has been tested to hold the obligatory slab of beer -- a must for any self-respecting Aussie family.

SAFETY
The entry-level TX model is generously equipped with standard safety features, including traction control, independent suspension and front airbags. All-wheel drive models add the safety benefits of all-paw grip, stability control -- a first on a locally built car -- and optional hill descent control, which regulates speed to 4km/h on steep slopes.

Ghia models gain side curtain airbags front and rear, another first for a locally produced vehicle. It is optional on the TX and TS models.

All Territorys come with four-wheel disc brakes, 322mm front and back. Antilock brakes are standard.

Ford's stability control system -- available only on AWD models -- is another first; the company worked hand-in-hand with Bosch to develop and adapt the latest version (8.0) stability control specifically for Territory for Australian conditions.

Stephan Presser, Ford's chassis guru, believes this 'tandem' development has serious payoffs. "Stability control combines the advantages of Ford's Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS) and Traction Control System (TCS) and multiplies the benefits of both," claimed Presser.

Presser said stability control was designed to maintain stability when the vehicle approaches its physical limits. Sensors located at each wheel calculate driven-wheel slip and engage traction control if deemed excessive. Consequently, traction control intervenes on all four wheels on the AWD version of Territory. The system can regulate power via electronic throttle control, which does away with a mechanical linkage and allows more finesse.

Ford tested the system on a number of continents, covering more than 1,000,000km on various surfaces, including the ice-covered lakes of Sweden, real world testing in Germany, Belgium and Spain, and of course, Australia's unique gravel roads.

MECHANICAL
Ford promises Territory will deliver new levels of passenger car-like ride and handling for an crossover vehicle. It credits Falcon's Control Blade Independent Rear Suspension and new Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension with delivering this.

Despite the fact Territory is not built on the Falcon platform, it's quite similar in dimensions. Wheelbase is 2842mm, 13mm longer than Falcon, yet the Territory is shorter in overall length than the 4.8m Falcon. Front track is 1620mm (+60mm) and rear track is 1601mm (+30mm).

You'll hear a lot from detractors about the Territory's portly paunch, and it is heavy. In fact it's the first two-tonne Ford, with model weights between 2005kg and 2120kg depending on spec and drivetrain. That's the equivalent of a Ford Falcon sedan with four adults onboard.

So, a four-up weight of 2.5 tonnes will adversely affect fuel economy, especially in urban surrounds. Ford Australia quotes a combined cycle economy figure of 13.5litres/100km for the AWD version, and 13.1 litres/100km for the RWD model. 'Real world' figures will be considerably higher -- our launch drive over 450km of city and country roads varied between 17 and 20 litres/100km depending on conditions.

All-wheel drive versions of Territory divide engine power with a 62/38 rear axle bias, retaining a feel of rear-wheel drive agility with all-wheel drive grip. It's a system very similar to that used by Holden on Adventra AWD, and is developed for both companies by a third-party supplier.

RWD Territory is fitted standard with 235/60R17 Goodyear Integrity tyres; the AWD version will wear identical size -- but different compound and tread -- Goodyear Fortera tyres. A full size spare tyre is stored under the vehicle, behind the rear axle.

COMPETITORS
While Ford has released no official sales predictions, company president Geoff Polites believed 30,000 in the first 12 months was not out of the question, when asked at the 2002 Sydney motor show in October. At the Melbourne show in March 2003, that number was revised to 25,000 and by the 2004 Melbourne show it became 20,000. At launch Ford's talking about 2000 per month, or 24,000 annually.

Why the difference? Ford Australia freely admits it doesn't know how many Territorys it will sell. Oh, the company's got a fair idea, but when you're first to market with a fundamentally unique product, accurate forecasting is equal parts research and guesswork.

Ford believes 60 per cent of Territory sales will come from people who would otherwise buy import four-wheel-drives like the Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Prado and Nissan Pathfinder. Locally-built large wagons like the Commodore and Ford's own Falcon are also likely to feel the bite.

The Toyota Kluger is Territory's only direct rival, with AWD, seven-seat capabilities and a six-cylinder engine. Holden's V8-only Adventra, really a jacked up AWD Commodore wagon, is a second-level competitor, though it does have a seven-seat option. A six-cylinder Adventra is expected late in 2004.

ON THE ROAD
CarPoint first drove the Territory at Victoria's Anglesea proving ground in December 2003. Ford invited us to sample its wagon six months before launch, over 9km of poor quality dirt and secondary bitumen roads. We walked away impressed with the vehicle's comfort and versatility, and under-whelmed by its straight-line performance.

In April, 2004, Ford issued a second invite, this time a 500km test. It was an opportunity to drive all models, in all configurations, and over all types of terrain. Intercity highways and inner city lanes, through urban sprawl and deserted countryside, along dirt roads and over hilly paddocks. Ford even threw in a short stretch of ice for good measure.

So, no holding back. What's the verdict?

A really big thumbs up. Ford Australia has built a winner. The Ford Territory delivers everything it promises and more. It is a successful combination of family sedan, four-wheel-drive and people mover. It's a vehicle we can recommend, and a vehicle we could easily own.

There are three major chinks in Territory's armour; three reasons why you may not want to buy it. The first and second concern its weight. Two tonnes is a heavy car, no two ways about it. And this means poor fuel economy. In this day and age, any vehicle sucking 20lt of fuel or more for a 100km journey is unacceptable.

Yes, Territory is rated at 13.5lt/100km, and will return exactly that, providing you drive on a rolling road in a laboratory. Real drivers on real roads will find 17-20lt/100km a more accurate measure of Territory's thirst -- as did we over 500km of mixed, real world roads.

Performance is the second chink. No, Territory does not have to be a rocket ship. Yes, Territory should offer decent acceleration off the line and up hills. After all, it's packing four-litres of variable-valve timed engine and belts out 182kW of power and 380Nm of torque. That's strong by anyone's standards and should translate into good acceleration.

Two separate Ford employees boasted that Territory's engine is up there with the best and most efficient of Ford's engines worldwide. But put any engine in a two-tonne car, no matter how efficient it is, and the results are predictable.

Ford's robust and responsive 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine is handicapped by Territory's bulk, and it's especially noticeable from low speeds and low engine revs. Get the engine above 2500rpm and you'll have no complaints, which means 80-120km/h overtaking moves are safe and assured, providing it's a flat piece of road -- uphills hurt the engine's performance.

Thirdly, more than one of the Territorys we drove had suspension knocks and creaky cabins.

We've thought long and hard about this road test review. Our aim is to keep it balanced, and present you with a well-rounded picture of Territory's strengths and weaknesses. We also hope this article helps you decide whether a Ford Territory is right for you.

Ending this article with the previous five paragraphs, devoted to the car's weaknesses, will leave the wrong impression, because the Ford Territory is an extremely competent vehicle.

First and foremost, it's a great value for money proposition. Thirty-eight grand for a five-seat wagon with loads of equipment, class leading safety and plenty of room earns it a big tick. And it looks good! The Territory proves that practical cars don't have to look boring and unexciting.

Secondly, it drives beautifully. Territory delivers a supple ride worthy of a six figure prestige sedan and -- despite its weight -- shows an impressive set of heels on the twisty bits. It steers accurately and communicatively, exhibits very little body roll in corners, and handles with agility and poise. Gasp! It's fun to drive.

Thirdly, it's extremely versatile. It'll carry between one and seven people in relative comfort, features a second and third row of seats that folds flat to reveal massive amounts of cargo room, has more than 30 storage compartments throughout the cabin, and is equally at home on major national highways or in mountainous national parks.

Which one to choose? Our pick is the base model TX rear-drive. At $38,990 it's a steal, with more room, more power and more features than any comparably-priced import or locally-produced vehicle.