The arrival of the new Territory heralds Ford’s latest offering in the five-seater sport utility vehicle segment with a stylish and compelling package that provides exceptional space, comfort, smart technologies, and safety.
The Territory is built to handle whatever life throws at you. Whether it’s shuttling your family from one activity to the next, long road trips, or the daily commute, its versatility is endless.
Bigger
The Territory fits into the Ford line-up, slotting between the compact Puma and seven-seater Everest. Think of it as Goldilocks in the Ford stable: just right for any occasion. And first up on the ‘just-right’ list, is space.
Inside, there’s plenty of space. The higher roofline means there’s more headroom for passengers. The sizable wheelbase allows for generous rear legroom for second-row occupants, and the added legroom doesn’t compromise on space in the luggage compartment either.
The luggage compartment boasts 448 litres with all seats in an upright position - that’s enough for two large luggage bags, gym bag, and the full monthly grocery shop. Need a little more space for the trip to the garden emporium or a spot of interior decorating? The second row of seats fold in a 60:40 split, providing the option of transporting goods while still seating a passenger in the second row. Need even more space? Simply fold the rear seats flat and there’s 1 422 litres of utility space available. Voila!
If cavernous space is not at the top of your priority list, and you’re looking for cozier spaces to stash things, fear not, the Territory has 20 different storage binnacles dotted around the cabin. Perfect for storing your parking coinage, lip balm, charging cables, or snacks on the go.
Bolder
Ford’s not afraid of bold designs; the Ranger and Everest are testament to this with their muscular silhouettes and eye-catching C-Shape daytime running lights (DRLs). And the Territory is no different, featuring Ford’s ‘Progressive Energy in Strength’ design philosophy, which is based on the rich heritage of the brand and its iconic designs. It embodies three fundamental design principles: Commanding, Agile, and Responsive.
There’s the integrated honeycomb grille up front and full LED headlight arrangement with distinctive DRL signature. Innovative LED lighting technology gives this model a unique and distinctive identity, creating a powerful presence on highways and byways of Mzansi.
Inside, all Territory models get a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen operated by the user’s finger or a rotary controller on the center console. This helps simplify the cabin environment by locating many vehicle controls on the screen. Standard is the Bluetooth audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity, complemented by convenient steering wheel-mounted audio controls. Three USB ports are provided up front, along with an additional USB port at the rear, and wireless charging is included on the Trend and Titanium derivatives, so you can leave your charging cable at home without having battery anxiety.
The entry-level Territory Ambiente is equipped with dark Domino fabric trim for supremely comfortable seats, while the Trend features high-quality Domino vinyl trim. And the top-of-the-line Titanium stands out with eye-catching two-tone Peacock Blue and Domino full leather trim that reinforces the Territory’s sophistication and upmarket appeal.
On the luxurious Titanium model, a powered twin-panel Panoramic Moonroof bathes the cabin in natural light for front and rear-seat occupants, further enhancing the sense of space and freedom. This is complemented by upmarket multi-colour LED ambient lighting, allowing the occupants to set the colour theme and mood according to their individual preferences.
Individuality is further expressed through the Territory’s broad exterior colour palette, available in seven choices: Star White Tri-coat (solid), Panther Black Metallic, True Blue Metallic, Ruby Red Metallic, Lustrous Grey, Moonstone/Moonlight Blue Metallic, and Crystal Pearl White Metallic Tri-coat.
Best
Built on a new platform, the Territory is designed to take you places, and fit seamlessly into your life, becoming an extension of your family. The Territory is powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost petrol unit that delivers a superb blend of performance and efficiency. It produces 138kW of power matched to a substantial 318Nm of torque - more than enough to handle the daily run-around, and very economical on longer drives.
The Territory features four Selectable Drive Modes, namely: Normal, Eco, Sport, or Mountain to optimise power, torque, and fuel efficiency according to the driving conditions. When it comes to gearboxes, Ford is once again streamlining the process with a seven-speed automatic DCT (dual-clutch transmission) that delivers exceptional responsiveness and performance while maximising fuel economy.
One of the ways the Territory saves every drop of fuel possible is through Auto Start Stop, which comes as standard across all three spec levels. Another standard feature is the Hill Launch Assist and Hill Descent Control, which provide optimal control on steep gradients.
On the safety front, the Territory has a full complement of active and passive safety features, all built into the price, therefore leaving no surprises at the till. These include driver assist and collision mitigation features, such as Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Hill Launch Assist, Hill Descent Control and Ford’s Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). A total of six airbags are provided, comprising dual front side, and curtain airbags. Vehicle security is taken care of with the smart key Passive Entry and Passive Start (PEPS), supported by a Thatcham-grade alarm system and immobiliser.
If you opt for the range-topping Titanium model you get the additions of Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Change Assist. It also boasts a Traffic Jam Assistant, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Adaptive Cruise Control.
What we know about Ford’s new Territory so far, we like. It looks the part and has all the bells and whistles. There are safety and technology features aplenty, and no complicated options lists that require a PHD to decipher. We can’t wait to drive it at launch at the end of April 2024.
As Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa says, “The Territory is a modern, spacious and very well equipped five-seater SUV, regardless of which trim level customers opt for. It is perfectly suited to young, smart and connected customers, and especially those with growing families who will appreciate the spaciousness, comfort and convenience provided by our exciting new addition to the SUV segment.”
| Derivatives | Recommended Retail Price (excl. optional Service plan) | Recommended Retail Price (incl. optional Service Plan) |
| Territory Ambiente 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT | R576 000 | R590 000 |
| Territory Trend 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT | R632 600 | R646 600 |
| Territory Titanium 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT | R707 000 | R721 000 |
Included as standard is Ford Protect comprising a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first. In addition, over the counter parts (OTC) and service parts warranty (SPW) are covered for two-year/unlimited distance.
Customers have the option of purchasing an extended Ford Protect Service or Maintenance plan upgrade. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.
