Marking its Territory on roads of Manila is Ford’s very own compact crossover – the Territory Titanium+. It arrived right on cue with the current crossover craze. Being number one in its segment, one might ask what the hype is all about. So, what exactly makes it stand out in this space? Find out in this review.
Exterior
The Territory has its own charms that can definitely turn heads – most of which have something to do with the wedge-shaped side profile and Range Rover Evoque-looking rear end. What about the front end compared to the aforementioned? It’s notably tamer. It draws its character from its sleek LED headlights and uniquely shaped DRLs.
It only starts to get more interesting on the sides and back. Adding to its sporty and premium feel are the chrome accents – from the door handles all the way to the LED taillights.
And finally, you have the machine-finished 18-inch alloy wheels with some metallic shine.
Interior
As expected, its appeal extends from the superficial to its interior. The design speaks a minimalist yet fashionable language. Just take a look at the neat dashboard, wooden accents everywhere, panoramic moonroof, and ambient light.
Seated on the dashboard are the 10-inch fully digital cluster and 10-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Initially it felt like a chore navigating the 10-inch touchscreen and the control buttons. You’ll eventually get the hang of it, but it might take some time to be instinctive.The feeling is similar to when meeting someone for the first time and you’re just waiting to break the ice. Once you cross that bridge, you’ll start feeling comfortable.
For those who love going on road trips or playing sports, involving bulky luggage and equipment, respectively, I highly commend the spacious cabin of the Territory. Even back passengers can take delight in the generous legroom. Not to mention the overall ride is pretty much relaxing and comfortable with its leather seats and plenty of soft-touch materials. Notably, drivers get the advantage of having 10-way power adjuster seats.
Performance
The Territory is powered by a 1.5L EcoBoost engine that’s mated to a CVT, producing 143hp and 225Nm of Torque. This translates to a smooth day-to-day drive amid the stop-and-go traffic in the city. The same is true when pushing your speed further while driving along the highway. Cruising at a constant speed was smooth and relaxing; but getting there, you might have to anticipate some fleeting delay. Nonetheless, it was intuitive for the most part given how easy it was to modulate both the brake and the throttle. The light yet effective steering wheel is just a bonus.
Safety features
Like it or not, we can all agree that roads in the metro often feels like braving a battlefield. That’s why having an advanced suite of driver-assist features to back you up can be quite handy. Thankfully, the Territory offers just that and labels it as Ford Co-Pilot 360.
There’s the 360-degree camera so you have a better grasp of the vehicle’s surroundings. I find this very beneficial; although with the default settings, you’ll be bombarded with alerts when something comes close to your vehicle, and it can be irksome.
Maneuvering in tight spots can be challenging; this is when you can reap the full benefits of having the Enhanced Active Park Assist. It can swiftly parallel park for you, as well as help you with perpendicular parking.
Other safety features include six airbags, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Blind Spot Information System, among others.
Verdict
It doesn’t come as a surprise that the Ford Territory Titanium+ is the sales leader in the bunch. First of all, you can’t deny that it has a strong appeal, embodying the quality and sporty demeanor the brand is known for. Inject its comfortable ride, spaciousness, and smart and safety features, that’s more than enough to entice practical and everyday drivers.
Prices start at PHP1,310,000.
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