Five years on and it’s still just as fun to drive.
Model Tested:
- 2010 Ford Territory Ghia Turbo; 4.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbo-petrol; six-speed automatic; SUV: $66,820*
Addictive straight line performance, features, versatility.
Fuel consumption, outdated.
CarAdvice Rating: 
Launched in 2004 as Australia’s take on the all-road going station wagon, Ford’s Territory was an immediate success with the public.
It wasn’t until late 2005 that Ford decided to go down the forced induction path with the Territory. Ford took the engine from the XR6 Turbo and moved the front-mount intercooler to a top-mount unit, giving the Territory a new-found snarl and design.
The Territory has remained largely unchanged since 2004, likewise with the Turbo model. With the latest SYII upgrade, Ford announced that it would only offer the Turbo model in Ghia guise, leaving us with the car pictured above.
The concept of the turbocharged Territory is great – in theory. The inherent issue lies with the car’s weight, some 2.1-tonnes. We will talk about the impact of this more later.
Inside the cabin, the Territory is still a great place to be, despite its age. The Ghia specification picks up leather seats, colour TFT screen, six-disc CD-player, electric driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control and a flip-down Apline 10.2 inch DVD player with wireless headphones to entertain the kids.
The seating position is quite high, giving the driver a feeling of power over other motorists. The Turbo model also picks up a sports steering wheel that sits snugly in the hand and lends to effortless cornering.
The generously sized boot is great for transporting kids to and from sporting events, likewise with the weekly shopping. The in-house built cargo blind is a total disaster though. The cheap, folding cargo blind doesn’t sit flush with the edges of the boot and is a nightmare to use, it certainly looks like a Territory afterthought.
Visibility out the front and rear is excellent. The Ghia comes with a reversing camera and one that Ford should most certainly be proud of. The reversing camera is crystal clear during daytime and exceptionally bright at night time (one point that dogs many of its competitors). The night time clarity also helps due to the privacy glass fitted to the Ghia.
Seven seats can also be optioned on the Ghia Turbo. Our test vehicle was fitted with the seven seats and they proved to be very easy to erect and drop back into their flat folding cubby hole. Don’t expect to fit anyone older than 10 in the third row though, it’s a pretty tight squeeze.
The dual-opening tailgate is a great idea (with one button for the main tailgate and one for the glass section), but the glass on our test vehicle always felt like it wasn’t closed properly and was flimsy.
Sitting at the top of the Territory tree, the Ghia Turbo retails for $66,820, with the third row of seats a no-cost-option. While the Ghia model is the most expensive, the Territory range starts at $39,890.
Behind the wheel, the Territory Ghia Turbo is an extremely versatile vehicle. It feels well balanced on the road and takes all bumps with aplomb. The steering is more on the heavy side, but works well with the whole package. The only let down is the brakes. The pedal feels very spongy, with most of the braking occurring at the latter end of pedal travel.
If you didn’t think the naturally aspirated Territory had enough power, you are sure to be gobsmacked with the Ghia Turbo. Packing 245kW of power and 480Nm of torque, the turbocharged 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine is keen for a play whenever a boot load of throttle is thrown at it.
The induction noise, along with the menacing exhaust note leaves a smile on the face each and every time the throttle is flattened. Torque is channelled through a six-speed ZF Sachs automatic transmission that does an excellent job of managing the whole package.
A tiptronic mode can be selected, along with a sports mode that aggressively holds gears and shifts down high in the rev range of the previous gear as required.
While the Ghia Turbo hauls in a straight line, it’s left in the lurch when it comes to cornering. There is an exceptional amount of body roll and when it has had enough, it throws in the towel and understeers with intent.
Luckily, the Ghia Turbo isn’t marketed as a corner tearing sports car (it leaves that for the likes of the doubly priced BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, et al.).
The only downside to this exhilarating package is the fuel efficiency (or lack thereof). Our test car didn’t see an average fuel consumption under 14.5L/100km, despite spending over 60% of the time behind the wheel on the highway.
At highway speeds, the engine seems to be teetering on boost, meaning the lightest throttle application sends the turbo into a haling flurry.
It’s hard to imagine how anybody could afford to pay for the amount of fuel this car consumes, especially when you consider it will spend most of its time in city style driving conditions.
The SYII Territory meets Euro IV emissions, so won’t see any changes until the new model arrives for the 2011 model year.
If you are interested in buying a diesel SUV, I would hold off until Ford releases the diesel Territory. If it’s anything like the current model, it will be exceptional value for money and the type of thing we love to see coming out of Australian manufacturers. It’s likely to pack the same amount of torque as the turbocharged petrol Territory, but will consume far less fuel.
If, on the other hand you’re after cheap thrills, it’s hard to go past the Territory Turbo. If it wasn’t for the ludicrous fuel consumption, I’d recommend it in a heartbeat.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Road Test the Rivals:
Specifications:
- Engine: 3984cc inline six-cylinder
- Power: 245kW @ 5250rpm
- Torque: 480Nm @ 2000rpm
- Induction: Turbocharged
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Driven Wheels: All wheel drive
- Brakes: Four wheel discs
- Top Speed: N/A
- 0-100km/h: N/A
- CO2 Emissions: 337g/km
- Fuel Consumption: 14.2L/100km (ADR)
- Fuel Consumption: 14.6L/100km (As Tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 75 litres
- Fuel Type: Unleaded
- ANCAP Rating: Five star
- Airbags: Six airbags
- Safety: ABS brakes with EBD, BA. ESP.
- Spare Wheel: Full size spare
- Tow Capacity: 2300kg/750kg (braked/unbraked)
- Warranty: 3-years/100,000km
- Weight: 2127kg
- Wheels: 235/55R18
*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include dealer delivery, on-road or statutory charges.
Funny comment about the handling……..the Territory is widely known as the best handling med SUV bar none. Fuel consumption is heavy but no more so than a pushrod GM V8. I ahd the pleasure of driving a Territory around New Zealand for 2 weeks and believe me they have some extremely twisty roads over there……and the handling\steering was fantastic. It was a non turbo and the overtaking performance was phenominal ! Put the ZF 6 speed into performance mode and the acceleration was simply stunning. Fuel economy worked out at 10.7l\100 over 2450k…….not bad considering the amount of hilly drives and 3 people and luggage\camping gear.
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Shak,
An SS comodore is a family hauler.
A Territory Turbo Ghia is a family hauler
Both of those vehicles offer a lower spec engine for those worried about consumption.
When you get a performance engine, it will drink more fuel.
Both Ford and Holden fit performance engines to “Family Haulers” and I think its a bit harsh to say one is more excusable than the other.
Bottom line is if you purchase this (or an SS Commodore) fuel consumption wasnt your priority to start with
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Care to explain the SS Commodore sport wagon then??
Shak,
An SS is a sporty version of a commodore which is commonly a shopping hauler
A Terry Turbo ghia is a sporty version of a Terry which is commonly a shopping hauler.
Are you trying to say high fuel consumption isnt acceptable unless the vehicle isnt practical
How about the Calais V8 Sportwagon then? That isn’t really in the same league as the SS.
I had a 6spd n/a Territory for a week around the north island of NZ. Id agree that for its height and heft, the Territory is a brilliant handler, the steering especially confidence inspiring.
However, consumption averaged 13.5L/100km, and 75% of the drive was open road – (we saw ~18 in town). Performance was sufficient, but id hardly use a phrase like “phenominal”, a good prod of the throttle often required, hence the fuel consumption.
People in the front were really confortable, however people who used the back seat complained long and hard about the lack of seat comfort – to the point there was a scramble for the front seat everytime we stopped.
Build quality was patchy, the Sante Fe we had soon after was much better put together – come to think of it, so was the FG Falcon we rented…
Just needs an update with a good diesel, and a better quality interior (about 3 years ago ;0)
For a performance SUV, you really need to post performance figures.
0-100 ect. please.
Haha. Sorry, but I dont see the relevance of performance figures here. You say ‘Performance SUV’ as if that is some kind of category of car. It’s not. What this is, is not sporty, nor does it have ‘performance’, because a vehicle like this, (that was originally conceived as, essentially, a family-hauler with slightly increased ground clearance and the option of all-wheel-drive) with a mass of more than 2.1 tonnes and a raised centre of gravity, is never going to have interestingly rapid acceleration, nor will it be interestingly stable and dynamic around corners at speed. Here, physics dictates. Also, what is this obsession with 0-100km/h times? Are you one who enjoys open throttle from 0-100 regularly? Is it important in your life? If you could afford this mediocre people mover for your family, would you ever find yourself thinking how you’d really like some more performance? If I know you as well as I think I do, the answer is probably yes. That is why a sensible person would go and buy a base model Territory, before then buying themselves, for instance, an MX-5; a 911, or a veyron. Yes, what I am suggesting is that while the Territory is meritorious of its apparent popularity; true ‘performance’ is simply not within the realm of its potential.
why not put ford ranger v6 turbo diesel in the new 2010 FG version territory that replace xr6 turbo engine
then you should not worry about fuel thirsty !
I had a 06 Turbo Ghia and it certainly had plenty of go but I could not stand the thumping and creaking in the suspension.Also the interior trim just fell off every time some one touched something. I also think this car is at least $5K over priced and I can tell you from experience there is no way you will get anywhere near 10L/100 out of a turbo,15 is about the best you could hope for.
I agree with the above post. I have a non turbo Ghia SYII and the handling is stunning for a 2 tonne SUV. VERY fun to drive.
Not sure about your comments on the third row or cargo blind however. The cargo blind is not only sturdy enough to take a load of considerable weight on top of it, but does a great job of almost eliminating noise from loose luggage in the boot. I love it and it’s the strongest cargo blind I’ve ever used.
The third row takes adults more comfortably than any other SUV I have tested and is a big reason I got the Territory. It isn’t weight limited and seats adults if needed for short trips. If you’re taking 7 people everyday, clearly a Territory is the wrong car but as an every now and then option, I have found it excellent. it could do with some air vent and speakers for third row occupants but I guess since it really isn’t an everyday 7 seater then it wasn’t a deal breaker.
Mine is a rear wheel drive with the 4 speed which is surprisingly smooth, although the 6 speed is nicer, I can’t really complain about it to be honest. It doesn’t do anything badly.
What is the reviewer and a lot of the general public for that matter on about with the fuel consumption. Compare it to Mazda CX7 with a 2.3 litre (read nearly half the capacity) turbo’s real world consumption. I’d like to see a CX7 turbo better 14.6 litres! I’d like to also see a naturally aspirated Mazda CX9 or Toyota Kluger match or better the Territory Turbo is real world fuel consumption.
The reviewer touched on the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne. Again, I’d like to see them better 14.6 litres in their Territory Turbo comparable 245kw models.
Great Post.
Problem is that people tend to turn a blind eye to the Japs and Euros when it comes to fuel consumption…
A friend had a 3.0 X5, avg fuel consumption? 18.7 per 100km and his wife drives it.
I know! The fuel consumption on the X5′s is just woeful! Even on the 3.0L Diesel.
My mother’s Mercedes-Benz ML 320 CDI (diesel) gets about 16 L /100 km in 95% city driving. Most of the trips are under 15 minutes though in the North Shore of Sydney.
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You must have the only CX7 that came off properly built
Everyone I know that has one complains bitterly of fuel usage, 15-20L+, and all have had some sort of problem
But real life comparatives would be the (and are in the true market place) the CX9, the Prado, Pajero, Pathfinder and the Grand Cherokee. Subaru would also like the Tribecca to be thrown into that mix as well.. Compare those vehicles fuel figures, drivability, towing capacity etc the Tezza isn’t that bad on Fuel.
Paul is that the turbo 2.3l CX7… or the NA 2.5l one?
Not even Mother Teresa could get a turbo CX7 to average 10.4 litres
Let alone sit 7 people
Apples v Apples people
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You should head straight to a CX7 forum and tell every other CX-7 driver they are all driving wrong and you have found the Holy Grail with the CX-7 and got “realistic” fuel economy out of it
Yours must be one of those journo editions
Driven sensibly a Bugatti Veyron can achieve 10.4 litres as well. But isn’t the allure of the car to not drive it sensibly?
In your case if you drive like such a grandma that you get that fuel figure in a turbo CX7, why didn’t you just bother with the N/A model as you would never need to use the turbo anyway?
Are you related to James May?
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Completely agree.
Our NA AWD 6 speed averages 11.2L/100km. It seems the glove only comes off for local product….
It is a fantastic product. Its ride/handling balance is superb, the motor very torquey, reliable, and begins to howl north of 3000 revs. It loves to cruise in the 1000-1500 revs mark, and the key to getting decent fuel economy out of them is to reach your cruising speed and be gentle on the throttle. If you grew up with torqueless cars that you had to thrash to get up to any decent road limit, you will have to modify your style. It’s worth it. Score +1 interest for the next Territory.
I am a relatively recent arrival to this country and was stunned that you have such a competent home grown SUV. Yes the fuel consumption is bad but otherwise it is good to drive, comfortable and one of few cars that can fit three baby seats across the second seat.
I still find it mystifying that the Captiva is so popular, it is less comfortable, the diesel is almost as thirsty as the Terry and it sounds like a tractor. Why would anybody buy an inferior product made in South Korea over an Aussie made Territory?
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haha, thankfully these days companies don’t tend to get away with that sort of stuff, just look at all the Wikipedia scandals. Nevertheless I genuinely believe what I said, what don’t you agree with? And don’t suggest I’m an Aussie Ford fanatic, I’ve had golfs before coming to Oz but you can’t fit 3 kids in a golf ;)
Perhaps I should balance what I said by saying I think the interior needs an update and the interior quality is not what it should be, hopefully we’ll see a new Terry in the next year or so which will fix these issues….
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Price and advertising, Captiva does that better
Checking out the Holdens yesterday. Being in Melbourne all of the demos had hail damage but it was amazing to note the difference between the VE’s and the rest of Holden’s Korean lineup. It was barely visible on any VE but the Cruzes and Captivas had huge amounts of damage due to lower strength steel.
The Daewoo Holdens are just terrible, the Cruze isn’t bad but definitely not a class leader. They all have bad interiors, none are good looking and the quality of them is shocking. To anyone that thinks that a Captiva is better than a Territory, I pity you. As Andrew said the only thing better about it is price. But why not just buy a year-old Territory if that’s what you’re worried about? It’ll be a much better investment because you won’t want to get rid it a year after you buy it.
@ Bentboy: So the resident rabid Holden fanboy can’t help himself when Ford gets a good wrap, and has to chime in with his usual anti-Ford tripe.
Mate your credability is already zero, why bother?
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… but you always do! You are a Holden fanboy who, through juvenile jeaolosy, hates Ford. You obviously find it very difficult to deal with the simple fact the Ford product is superior, both the current quality ridden Craptiva and the half-baked local attempt AWD wagon (so forgettable I can’t even remember what they called it).
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Too the two posts above – These would have too be two of the most idiotic comments i have ever read.
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I still love the Terry. Its still fresh outside,but inside it really needs an FG style makeover. Why has there never been a V8,manual or diesel up to now? Extra choice will help sell extra cars. I can see the Terry easily filling the gap left by BF wagon,but more choice between options is needed. I actually feel a Territory ute would do wonders in the bush…..just a thought!
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Since when was the Falcon ute available in AWD with 4 doors???
And then there is the ground clearance thing
The Falcon ute did have the ground clearance with the RTV…
Whilst it wasn’t AWD it was more capable “in the paddock” than the standard ute with the extra ground clearance and diff lock etc.
Yeah mate,
I know the RTV had a lift and difflock along with extra under body protection, but its no longer available, and never had 4 doors nor AWD
Terry stole BF Wagons market to start with, and what was/is left is only fleet.
Im sure fleet will jump on a base model Terry now, nothing else really makes up the lost space.
Terry ute……
I’d be in on that
It would be about time a good looking, powerfull, great handling and safe dual cab ute came to market to shake up the japs
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Why does every 4WD/Crossover review become a Hyundai/Kia Appreciation Group?? Enough already, we get it, the Koreans are doing well.
I would hardly say a $45k 2.2 Diesel is a rival for a $60k 4.0 Turbo. Regardless of HOW GOOD the Hyundai is…
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I think that is a ridiculous statement Ford makes a great range of vehicles – the territory needs to be updated that is obvious but australians need to be educated about the products ford has currently that are superior to those that top sales charts it is just a shame
Not really bud.
They’re cheap and nasty.
As a tax payer I want my investments to at least have matching trim lines.
The price of not using slave labour I suppose….
And also as shak says, the import taxes arent what they used to be, so get with the times.
Oh and Hyundai doesnt have a Terry competitor. The Models I assume you are talking about are smaller
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Not at all to my way of thinking. The size alone is enough to dismiss it.
Yeah your right, a 7 seat 2 tonne AWD SUV Santa Fe is not a direct competitor to the Territory, what would you prefer to compare it to, a Landcruiser?
I would not buy the current model Terry, hopefully next one will have the Land Rover AWD running gear and with the T/Diesel should be a great car, Ford would have trouble keeping up with demand I think, as long as quality issues dont get in the way.
Jim Goose….i agree…..the chance is now there for Ford to make more versions of the Territory. I would like to see a high ride version with the diesel engine to give it more off-road capability. This would take sales away from Toyota. I think a ute version would be great but i think it would be too costly to develop. I also think a low ride version would be good for people who want the interior flexibility and load space without the higher ride.
oh…….theres the Realist being un-real again!! You stick with your crappy Subaru and I will enjoy my new Territory……a great vehicle designed and built in Australia……….well done Ford. Oh.and well done to Ford with their Bosch contract…….may there be more to come.
I’ll stick with my M5 thanks.
Enjoy your Territory. Remember, we all paid for it. ;-)
@Realist
…and German taxpayers assist you to pay for your M5! Nearly all automotive manufacturers are protected by their respective governments via policy, direct payments, trade sanctions, tarriff walls, currency manipulation – why do you just not seem to get this point?
If Australia gives the IMF money, and the IMF gives it to Europe to save German and French banks who unwisely invested in PIIGS welfare states’ bonds, then *indirectly* some of that might assist your next BMW purchase!
Sorry (un) Realist …i meant Hyundai not Subaru…..
Reverse Cam,I certainly hope the Territory can return to its No.1 spot on the sales charts. Fingers crossed eh?
Not before a diesel donk lands and they do away with crayon drawings for adverts
I couldn’t buy one – needs updating, significantly…
And those dashboard graphics – they looked crap when they were new, but in 2010 – major URGH…
Resale value of a Turbo ? – don’t look into it as you will run a mile…
This just goes to show that Australian engineers can design great cars. It’s just too bad the Falcon/Territory platform might be dumped in 2015.
As good as this car was when it first came out, and even now somewhat competitive in certain areas, as if you would part with 60-70000 for it!!! I couldn’t pay that much money for something that looks so tired inside and out. Come on Ford, a model cycle should never stretch past 6 years, even though its had a facelift, its still the same territory from 2004. When push comes to shove and Aussies have to part with their real hard earned money, they may baulk when they think about what they are buying.
Thing you forget that regardless of how long the cars been around for it is still competitiv if not class leading?
Many people buyin this car realise that and even with a mild facelift I reckon majority would be repeat customers….. for a reason. The kluger has however provided the biggest competition to this car and would have taken majority of the sales it has lost….. captiva isn’t a competitor in my eyes, more comparable to smaller suvs like crv??
Jerry,
Dont pay attention to RRP’s, everyone is playing the driveaway pricing game now, and they advertise their discounts unlike before.
Model cycle not past 6 years??
Someone better tell Toyota or even Hyundai. Both of those have vehicles 6 or more years old, and if I think about it Im sure there would be others.
I do agree the makeover needs to come, but I dont think it looks that bad to start with. Its just become very “Familiar” which makes it seem boring, not so much that is is really that outdated
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In our case, the balljoints were replaced under warranty at 100,000km (so are brand new now). Were checked every service. In the SYII Territory there is a different balljoint design to our SY, and the balljoint issue does not occur – have a look underneath the two models side by side to see this.
Rust in the tailgate (5c piece size, surface) has occurred after 3 years living in coastal areas and surfing a lot, and is to be fixed.
Brake hoses were done as per recall.
Overall, none of this detracted from our ownership experience of what is a great value for money, enjoyable, comfortable car to own.
If you are stressed by an 11.2L/100km fuel consumption, you more than make it up on the cheap servicing, parts and insurance, IMO.
The turbo Territory never had the brake hose problems as it brakes are different to a normal Territory
It honestly pays to read, but if you cant or just enjoy bashing Australia built cars, I hope you don\’t have kids or plan on living here long
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And the brand of car you drive has never had a recall or a problem?
Its almost funny to read your message
Its good to point out problems and criticize isn’t it ??!?!?!
Ball Joint design on new model (SY2) is different to SY on all models and build quality on all local made fords has improved considerably in last six or so months under new MD and the new policy of not producing too many cars and forcing sales as was the previous policy. Paint quality seems considerably better than on older cars (2 to 4 year old cars) and this will fix the rust problem as they didn’t paint them properly previously.
I simply asked a legitement question in regards to quite frankly serious safety issues about the vehicle. I doubt anyone would want put themselves or their family in a car that had these problems.dlunn 64 has been good enough to answer the question,cheers.
My brother in law just traded in his 2003 Territory Ghia for a Volvo XC90.
I could list a litany of issues with it starting from repeated breaking electric windows (all four), four replacement front brake hoses – vehicle was never in for any recall – they just failed, and rust that has consumed the seam which the tailgate rubber conceals.
It was a no brainer getting out of this vehicle – sorry Ford, your Aussie build construction does not match current world best practice.
Your either trolling or never done any research
The XC 90 has been subject to major recalls as well many owners having very expensive gearbox problems that should have been covered under warranty
The grass is always greener on the other side
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Just wait until something fails on the volvo once its out of warranty. You WILL be sorry.
You don’t always have to go to the dealer once out of warranty – there are some good ‘european’ garages that can offer a more cost effective alternative. I know – also ran a Volvo 244 manual with overdrive which never went to the dealer. The only issue is diagnostics – by the same token my 18mth Nissan Xtrail had a complete ECU failure which would have cost a lot to do out of warranty.
The point I make and repeat is that the quality issues on the Territory are not good – dreadful is the word I would use. I think what really irks is the repeated failure of items such as brake hoses, window winders etc. And the rust – we should not even see it here in the West.
window winders….. they dont break, they need to be loooked at every service, same as the falcons… if you truely know and like fords, you would know the window tracks need to be greased regulary to work properly. i bet you people are just talking about slow windows.. not that actual unit breaking. (yes ive owned a couple of fords and am laughing at the garbage some of you write)
try broken winders that leave the glass down particularly when its raining.
Its pretty obvious from the responses I have had to the quality issues I have raised that many of you refuse it could be that bad – believe me it is.
Note I did not comment about the handling or the packaging concept which is excellent. Its just a damn shame it rusts and falls apart.
I would not waste my money even on a second hand one.
The Turbo Territory dies after July. The exisiting Turbo engine is NOT Euro IV complient. It uses a different motor from Falcon, which will be uograded. Such is the power difference 245kW vs 270 kW.
The new Territory due Q1 2011 looks fantastic and will have Diesel power. And the new Interior looks great.
Just looks at X5 fuel consumption figures before slamming Territory. There are a 2 tonne plus, AWD SUV not Fiesta’s.
And for the morons out there, the Territory is a SUV, not 4WD. It has fully independent suspension and does not have a ladder frame chassis as 4WD’s do.
Not designed to be an off road vehicle.
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I think most people nowadays consider a 4WD to be vehicles like a Land Cruiser Land Rover, Patrol or similar heavy duty vehicles. They also think of AWD as SUVs such as the Territory, Subaru Outback, Craptiva etc. SUV is a commonly accepted term now and the motoring bodies and the governmebt use it to classify vehicles.
That is all road capable but not off road. Using your logic a Lamborghini is a 4WD vehicle because they drive all wheels. I know which I would prefer on the racetrack or out in the Simpson Desert.
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They do not need Bullbars, except in near total outback use. I should know, I have used them for hundreds of thousands of km all over the country.
The real tragedy occurs when the 4wd ute reaches the city, and a school kid falls in front of it on a busy highway near one’s home. It’s tragic. I removed the bull bar from my Cruiser and was much happier, and the time it collected a roo it made no difference.
‘Real 4wd’s have bullbars’. What rubbish. They have ladder frame chassis, live axles, articulation, low down torque, controlled chassis twist, and are simple, easy to fix in remote areas. What a poor comment.
Exactly what i was going to say!!
Love this car but it’s getting a little long in the tooth. When will ford update this so the car is at the front of the pack instead of running at the back like a over weight ginger step kid
Its not so bad Marc-Falcon ute buyers had to wait 20 years for the AU!
I have owned X5 Diesels for 240,000 km, and don’t know where those who quote mileage get their figures from.! The single Turbo averaged 8.9L per 100 over several years running. My current twin turbo uses a little more, can get into the 11′s around town but goes like a V8.
Have had a bit to do with the Terry and feel they are far ahead of their price opposition in handling and design, all they need is that diesel.
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I like the Terry and gave a turbo one serious consideration last time I updated three years ago, that said, its very long in the tooth now and badly in need of a complete makeover.
What something of a mystery is that Ford seem to be talking about the forthcoming 2.7 litre diesel, a somewhat anemic unit by latest 3.0 twin turbo european standards, so by the time it eventually arrives in 2011 it’ll be comprehensivly outdated allready ? Why not update to the latest 3.0 litre Range Rover twin turbo engine and give us the 180 KW and 600nm unit ?
Would that be the Peugeot engine then? ;-)
My dad currently has a Territory Ghia Turbo – it\’s the main family hauler. Having driven it, I must say the handling is very good for a tall car but for a car that rides so stiffly, I reckon there\’s a bit too much body roll.
The Turbo\’s power is excpetional – a bit of turbo lag under 2500rpm but past that, you\’re off into the horizon pretty quickly! Fuel consumption is unimpressive but not unexpected either… it\’s a 2+ tonne SUV with a 4L turbo petrol engine – it\’s hardly going to turn in Prius levels of consumption. For the record, the avg consumption displays 18.4L/100km, that\’s mostly around town. That figure is no worse than my mom\’s Lexus GS V8, which is much lighter and more aerodynamic.
We really appreciate the spaciousness of the Territory in general. The third row seats aren\’t commodious but a lot better than pretty much everything else on the market bar the Land Rover Discovery (and that\’s way more expensive). Build quality on the other hand like others have noted – I would personally say it\’s pretty shocking. Rough plastic edges, seats tracks that don\’t glide smoothly, poor panel gaps – just something unbecoming of a car that asks over $60K.
The Territory\’s a keeper! (Until dad\’s work stops paying for petrol, then he\’ll have to consider something more economical!)
So, what is the latest on diesel terry??
Lauched March 2011. WIth 2.7 litre Single turbo Diesel Engine
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As far as the new Turbo Diesel engine goes, Jaguar charge $7000 more for the 3.0 T/Diesel motor than the standard V6 Petrol motor. Do you think that the average Territory buyer would pay $7000 more for the T/Diesel than for the petrol?
The 2.7 T/D V6 has got heaps more grunt than the Captiva T/Diesel(approx 445nm vs 320nm) and the other so called Korean competitors and if it’s only a couple of thousand dollars more than the petrol well maybe then it might make good marketing sense. The 2.7 would have to be thousands less for Ford to buy as it is the outgoing, non current motor.
By the way where is the Kluger in this discussion? Nowhere to be heard of I see. Is it even available in a Diesel? I don’t think so.
Bye the way, I noticed that there are no performance figures mentioned. The whole reason that someone would pay an extra $9000 for the Turbo over the regular Ghia Awd, when essentially they are the same car apart from the motor, is for the extra grunt. I recall figures like 0-100kmh in the low 6′s and 400m in the mid 14 sec bracket being quite commonplace. This is in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo-BMW X5 4.8 league at less than half the price and with similar if not better fuel economy.
Why then are cars like the Captiva and Santa Fe etc. even in the same blog? Its like people talking about their Camry’s,Epica’s and Sonata’s on a HSV/FPV article.
“Why then are cars like the Captiva and Santa Fe etc. even in the same blog?”
For the same reason you bring up Porsche Cayenne Turbo-BMW X5 in the same blog…
Low 6s? Stock? you may be right but I find it hard to believe. The only info I have found, albeit after a quick online search indicates low 7s. I’m dissappointed CA didn’t time it and 80-120.
Release the 2.7 and have the 3.0l TTD ready in the wings with 255/55/18 tyres, 8.5″ wheels and 20mm suspension lift. A 1/2 price RR Sport with 500 kg less mass – I’ll have one and so will thousands of others unless Ford are presently aiming a rifle at theit left foot – think bum-dragging Falcon to book end the Absolutely Ugly of 98. We live in hope.
It might even make a big dent in the Prado sales as well – every second driveway in WA seems to have one – and industry has replaced most Landcruiser wagons with diesel Prados.
Failed to make any dents in Prado sail when it was new, let alone when dated!!
this is a completly different class of vehicle anyway!!
Thomas79 your pro German bias is coming to the fore. Imagine even mentioning the Territory Turbo in the same blog as BMW & Porsche. I reiterate that the Turbo is Ford’s performance model of the Territory and as such it deserves to at least be mentioned in the same blog as the abovementioned German performance SUV’s.
Don’t forget that the Territory set the benchmark for SUV’s when first released in 2004 and still drives better than most similar SUV’s 6 years later.
Bye the way check out you tube and see the 11 second Territory Ghia Turbo. The owner uses it as his every day driver and sure it’s not standard under the bonnet but it only cost a few thousand more than stock and I am sure that it has embarassed more than a few unsuspecting drivers. I wonder which Captiva or Santa Fe would compare to this Territory Turbo?
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Territory Outsold Prado for a while and whilst the Territiory has as much chance keeping up off-road as a Prado has of keeping with the Ford on-road, they ARE direct competitors as most of them do the school run + light 4WDing.
The company I work for has a stack of well liked Prados that only have to travel the odd dirt road. A TTD Territory on decent tyres could easily do the same job for cheaper. Ford just has to do the job properly which is the worry – even for the true believers.
It’s not a true Competitor to Prado, as it is not a true offroader..
I never seen any of the 4wd mags do a comparo on the Prado and a territory!!
You dont seem to grasp that ‘SUV’ is a broad church and manufacturers just want a big slice. Customers dont necessarily read 4×4 mags but do want diesel these days and will compromise on many other aspects
As far as the 0-100 sprint goes, Wheels magazine tested the F6X(270KW vs 245KW) at 5.9 secs in April ’08 and the 400m sprint in 13.9 secs, so I don’t think that low 6′s and mid 14′s are too hard to achieve especially when both the Territory Turbo and the F6X share the same engine,transmission, gear ratio’s,weight etc. The only real difference is the less restrictive exhaust and the slightly different computer mapping of the F6X.
I know of plenty of owners who have had the $125 exhaust modification(remove exhaust bung) and bang they’re up to almost 270kw with slightly better fuel consumption than before and a nicer exhaust note.
A SZ Territory Ghia Turbo(petrol)with Liquid Gas Injection(if you could find somewhere to put the rear seat?) would be a hell of an SUV and Tow Wagon wouldn’t it?
Thomas79, just a few things please.
Build quality.I have had 3 Territory’s as company cars, an 04 Ghia AWD, an 06 Ghia Turbo and an 08 SYII Ghia AWD. All of these cars were wonderfull family wagons and I had so few problems with any of them that it’s not worth mentioning. The build quality whilst not in the same league as the German SUV’S, was definitely better than the average local or Korean car.
SUV Benchmark. Whilst you are right about being local built, don’t forget that it was not only compared to other local SUV’s, as there aren’t any, but it was also compared to all other SUV’s that were sold in Australia of which they’re plenty of.
No off road ability. Well I wouldn’t drive one to Cape York or use one to cross creeks but they perform admirably on sand, snow and mud, not to mention they are great for pulling your big boat out of the water or towing your caravan around the country.
I’m glad CA managed to get the seats folded up and down without any problems! Unlike the last time when they tested a Territory. They must have RTFM!