Ford Territory 2009 Review

Ford Territory SY MkII

Not so much
>> Are the changes sufficient?
>> No diesel or LPG alternatives
>> Basic engine gearbox options remain

OVERVIEW
Five years and almost 90,000 sales after it was first released, Australia's only home-grown SUV has been given a facelift... But that's about all. Indeed, in the face of a whole legion of newer competitors, and with an all-new model still perhaps up to 18 months away, the Blue Oval has banked on minor cosmetic changes and a modicum of added equipment to revitalise sales of the medium softroader.

It's an external makeover that in terms of differentiation will test the most determined car-spotters. Meantime, under the skin, the new Territory SY MkII must make do without the petrol powertrain improvements wrought by its FG Falcon stablemate. Oh, and there's still not a diesel engine in sight.

But, the fact the tweaked Territory still stacks up is a measure of just how right the team that originally designed, engineered and built the vehicle got it. Despite a distinct lack of corporate 'loving' and with an absolute minimum of investment committed to this model, even in mid-2009 this Ford is still an engaging and attractive package.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
Faced by a bevy of medium SUV segment entrants since the three-row wagon's introduction in 2004, the new SY MkII Territory will carry Blue Oval's hopes in the important marketplace for "a significant amount of time".  Ford is playing its cards very close to its chest on the next-gen Territory, though an all-new car was originally due to arrive in late 2009, it now seems unlikely the new vehicle will not surface until perhaps the end of 2010.

In its MkII guise, Ford has built on the mechanical upgrades introduced in 2007 via the SY model year. It's a rationalisation of the offer to a degree -- and Ford has used the preferences of buyers to date to 'massage' the equipment offer across the trimmed Territory range. This range still comprises three grades of naturally-aspirated Territorys -- TX, TS and Ghia -- all of which are available in both rear and all-wheel drive variants. Over on the turbo side of the line-up, however, there is now just a single model, the all-wheel-drive-only Ghia Turbo.

At $34,490 the base model rear-wheel drive TX MKII has increased $1000 over the outgoing SY model. All other variants are up $500. Offsetting this increase is Ford's claim that, depending on the model grade and drivetrain configuration, the new MkIIs include between $3600-$6600 worth of added equipment.

The base TX adds side curtain airbags, cruise control, 17-inch alloys and body-coloured detailing to the spec of the well-equipped outgoing model. Next step up, the mid-level TS variants now get a reversing camera and sensors, foglamps, leather wheel and gearshift accents and third-row seating as standard. Buyers can order the Territory as a five-seater only, as a no-cost option.

Favourites among the 'old' TS standard equipment list include a step up to climate control air and high-spec centre dash stack, including upgraded six-disc audio system. The TS and base model Territory still get four-way electric adjustment on the driver's seat.

Ghia and Ghia Turbo models also now get the third row seating as standard, plus a rear Alpine DVD entertainment system and new 18-inch alloys. Also standard now on the range-toppers are rear privacy glass, new external mirrors with turn signal repeaters and alloy side steps. Electric seats, adjustable pedals and other goodies such as upgraded interior trim detailing and sports steering wheel (Turbo only) featured in the SY are also carried over.

The new Turbo gets a unique five-element Y-spoke design alloy that is reminiscent of the wheels fitted to the XR5 models in the Mondeo and Focus range. They're good looking hoops.

Pricing for the new Ford Territory SY MkII range kicks off, as noted above, at $39,490 for the rear-wheel drive TX. The TS is a $5K step and the top RWD Territory, the Ghia is priced at $52,490.

The all-wheel drive variants are all $5000 more than their real-wheel drive TX, TS and Ghia equivalents.

At the very top-end of the Territory line-up, the Ghia Turbo retails at $66,420 -- a hefty $8930 more than the AWD Ghia and around $30,000 more than recent runout offers on the superceded TX. As FPV has killed off its F6X, this is now the fastest and flashest Territory you can buy.

MECHANICAL
According to Ford Australia's engineering and development chief Russell Christophers, the SY MkII has "no significant mechanical changes" when compared to the outgoing model. Refreshingly honest in his bluntness, Christophers says the package as offered still delivers on Ford's checklist of attributes for the softroader, so why change it.

In light of the time span to major changes in exhaust emission regulations (more here) and Ford's own need to balance financial and other resources, the SY MKII carries over the same 4.0-litre inline 190kW/383Nm naturally-aspirated DOHC six-cylinder powertrain as used in the BA/BF Falcon.

Rear-wheel drive Territory buyers -- over 60 per cent of current volume -- must also make do with the existing four-speed automatic transmission. Only AWD Territorys continue to benefit from the fuel-saving attributes and refinement of the ZF six-speeder auto. Indeed, even the new five-speed auto that's standard in the latest Falcon base model is off-limits.

The Turbo model's blown six is rated at 245kW/480Nm. Again this is unchanged and is the 'old' turbo I6 -- not the latest uprated engine offered in the FG Falcon range.

The atmo six fitted to the SY MKII Territory does not feature the combustion chamber and inlet manifold improvements featured on the new FG. Fuel efficiency improvements are, however, claimed thanks to what Christophers describes as "calibration improvements." Essentially, the engine management system and items like the catalytic converters have been optimised.

The biggest fuel economy gain is 0.6L/100km in the case of entry-level five-seat rear-wheel drive variants which now return a combined figure of 11.5L/100km. Seven-seater non-turbo rear-wheel drive Territorys are now rated at 12.0L/100km -- 0.2L/100km more frugal than the outgoing model.

The all-wheel drive non-turbo models are unchanged at 12.5L/100km (except the seven-seat Ghia which ticks up to 12.9) while the Turbo is still rated at 14.5L/100km.

Suspension, brakes and most other mechanicals are unchanged from the SY upgrade. To read our launch review of the SY see here.

PACKAGING
Exterior changes identify the SY MKII, but you'll need to be good (or perhaps see new and old side by side) for them to hit you hard. Details include new bumper and grilles (upper and lower), new headlamps and taillights, a reprofiled bonnet (excluding the Turbo) and standard colour coding of bumpers, door handles, mirrors and the like across the range.

Further tweaks include a new multi-element foglamp design and new interior and exterior colours.

That said, thanks to clever use of detailing within the above changes, Ford has delivered better model differentiation across the range. For example, the four-model walk from TX to Ghia Turbo boasts four unique front valance (lower bumper) and foglamp treatments.

The interiors have also been tweaked. All grades except the TX and top-of-the-range Ghia Turbo now offer the choice of a two-tone interior that echoes the changes Ford made to the Falcon with the arrival of the G Series at FG launch.

The base interior colour Shadow is warmish charcoal -- gone is the Eucalyptus colour scheme of the original Territory. In the two-tone variants, this is offset with Cashmere -- a sharp contrasting beige that adds class and lightens the cabin.

Both the TX and Ghia Turbo are all Shadow, the latter featuring a Euro-styled Nudo perforated leather on the seat facings. Leather is optional on the Ghia Territorys; all other models are cloth only.

The new base colour is carried over to the cabin plastics with platinum highlights (piano black on the Turbo) on the centre stacks. Two-tone door skins feature when the optional décor is chosen.

Four new external colours are offered, though only three are available from launch. The fourth colour, a metallic gold/green called Serenity will be added in October 2009.

What hasn't changed is the clever packaging of the Territory. Territory boasts a "minimum of 30 compartments, including 10 drink holders, a dishwasher-safe rubbish bin", and more! No, not steak knives -- there's a lockable laptop tray under the driver's seat and five-seat models have underfloor storage in the luggage area.

Ginsu jokes aside, don't dismiss the design because it hasn't changed -- this is still one of the best, affordable SUV packages on the road today. There's plenty of space inside (though if you regularly use all seven seats/three rows you might argue the point) and the vehicle still presents to the driver and other road users as something much more than a glorified truck.

'Old' powertrain and styling or not, if you are in the market for this size of SUV and you haven't driven or at least sat in a Territory, do so before you make your final decision.

SAFETY
When launched the Territory set a benchmark in standard safety features for the local industry and it's still a strong performer. Stability control, antilock brakes and a bevy of airbags are now all standard on all Territory models.

Indeed, with side curtains as standard it's a step up even from Ford's own five-star ANCAP car, the FG Falcon.

You can argue the relative additional active safety benefits of the all-wheel drive models, but the reality is, even the rear-wheel drive Territorys are wieldy, responsive vehicles and among the best of their type -- regardless of country of origin or pricetag.

COMPETITORS
They've arrived in their droves, not least of all Holden's Captiva and Toyota's Kluger -- both of which are available in all and front-wheel drive versions. Neither of the combatants drive as well as the Territory, nor is their packaging as convincing. The Toyota particularly has lacklustre dynamics.

The medium SUV segment, along with small cars (and compact SUVs), is a section of the market, it seems, in which every carmaker wants to play. From even softer-roaders than the Ford through to quite capable offroaders, the current midsize consumer has a wide selection from which to choose. And many alternative models offer a diesel option -- still a bridge too far for Territory.

And as if to make things harder, Holden's Sportswagon offers another potential diversion for those looking for something smarter than your average family truckster. Given only four out of ten Territorys are all-wheel drive, the Holden's a bigger threat to Territory's favoured status than some would give credit to... No seven-seater option there though.

While Territory's volumes have slipped from the heady days after its launch when more than 2000 a month were finding new homes, Ford's still happy to point out it was the top-selling SUV Down Under up until the end of 2007. We're guessing it'll be happy to get Territory back on shopping lists and monthly sales into four figures with this 'budget' update.

ON THE ROAD
Having not driven a Territory for more than two years a re-acquaintance was overdue. It didn't take long though. Within just a few minutes behind the wheel of a mid-spec rear-wheel drive TS model, all of the qualities that impressed us so much back at the vehicle's 2004 launch were back -- as sharp and pleasing five years on.

In this update model, we've called Ford to task for not offering Territory buyers the same mechanical advancements as Falcon buyers now get for free. In real world use, however -- and especially in comparison to other vehicles in this segment -- there's not a hell of a lot to criticise in even the basic four-speed auto variants.

Driven with spirit the rear-wheel drive SY MKII's turn-in, stability and compromise of handling and ride is as good as ever. The 'old' six is still lusty and muscular and in combination with the four-speed auto it is only ever really caught out in steeper uphill work. It's here that the big gap between third and fourth gears sometimes sees the transmission 'hunt' between cogs.

The other giveaway between four and six-speed is the occasionally 'clanging' gearchange from the former -- particularly under load. While the six-speed ZF is syrupy smooth 95 per cent of the time, the four-speed might rate a 65/100 report card.

Our drive route was not one that prompted economy. Any real world figures will have to wait until we get our seven-day testers down the track -- that said even pushing on, the trip computer number was hovering in the mid-14L range.

Any fuel economy benefits of the six-speed auto will be offset by the thirstier all-wheel-drive underpinnings in the current line-up. We wouldn't mind betting, however, a rear-wheel drive six-speed Territory would better some four-cylinder SUVs in the real world.

In normal usage, cabin refinement is up there with much more pricey European SUVs and, as noted above, on 17-inch alloys and Goodyear Integrity rubber the TS's ride quality, even on gravel surfaces, was impressive.

The base model AWD is also an impressive piece of work with grip aplenty and confidence inspiring dynamics with or without the safety net of stability control. Coupled to the six-speed auto box, the six feels immediately more responsive and more refined.

On a particularly enjoyable stretch of gravel uplands road somewhere between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie we were able to let the car have its head and experience the good work the chassis boffins have done. If there have been any tweaks they are minor. Levels of electronic assistance via the stability control (DSC in Ford's terms) are appropriate for a vehicle of this type -- you'll have to be completely hamfisted to get into trouble.

We also drove a Ghia Turbo. Though the ride was a touch sharper on its 18-inch rims and lower-profile Fortera rubber, even sharp-edged bumps were easily dealt with.

Suffice it to say, if Ford Australia had been able to build this hi-po version in left-hand drive and Euro-compliant versions the Brits and Germans would not have been able to buy enough of them. Like hot BMW X5s and similar, the feats this 'softroader' achieves in its stride would embarrass many dedicated sports sedans. Amazing... But not for those with an aversion to CO2 output.

Though the changes are minor on paper, the 'new' cabin presents a fresh feel right through the range. The Turbo is differentiated enough (just) to help its hefty price premium and the volume-selling TS has a classy feel especially in the Cashmere/Charcoal offer. It's just a shame the light-coloured cloth trim will suffer at the hands of families -- extending the option of leather further down the model range might be a good addition to the all-new line-up.

As our test route was almost entirely rural, we can't much comment on how the MkII performs in its natural environment -- the school run. Little has changed in practical terms but we'll offer a thumbs up for a standard rear camera and sensors at TS level and their availability right across the range.

Change and progress is the automotive media's stock in trade. We like nothing better than informing you of the myriad changes a company has wrought on new models -- and, conversely, holding up for ridicule examples that have soldiered on too long for their (and your) own good... The SY MKII Territory, it might be argued, is a stop-gap model that has probably arrived six-12 months late.

Fact is, however, it's far from an object deserving of ridicule -- indeed, it's as competitive in its segment as it ever was...

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