The Ford Territory: An excellent all-in-one SUV for the everyday go-getter

Throughout Ford’s existence, it has long established itself as a very durable, reliable and even rugged type of carmaker whose trucks and SUVs are able to conquer pretty much all kinds of terrain.

Enter Ford’s exciting new crossover, the Territory, which, at first glance, may not necessarily give off the “macho” vibe that many other Ford trucks give off, but is still a very reliable and enticing automobile, nevertheless.

The Ford Territory comes in 2 variants; the Trend priced at P1,277,000, and the Titanium+ at P1,310,000.

Exterior

Although the Territory may not be under the same classification as other notable and more muscular Ford products, it is still cut from the same cloth and hence has that Ford appearance, nonetheless.

From the front, the Territory looks sleek due to its slim hood, but as you make your way behind the car, its bulkier side appears, conducive to better passenger and cargo space. In comparison to other crossover SUVS, I’d say the Territory is slightly larger and wider.

Overall, the Territory’s size and design make it quite the practical vehicle, while still showcasing those signature Ford qualities and characteristics in appearance.

Interior

At first glance, I was impressed by the relatively clean and simple layout of the interior and dashboard, which can be attributed to its large 10” infotainment system. Since almost everything is controlled on the screen– from the audio, air conditioning, ambient lighting and settings –there are pleasantly only a minimal number of actual buttons. However, since essentially everything is to be controlled through the infotainment system, it did take me some time to get fully acclimated in navigating through its various functions.

Its infotainment system is also both Apple CarPlay- and Android Auto-compatible, and I found the connectivity between device and car to be seamless and hassle-free, which is always a big plus especially when on the road. Adding even more to its overall practicality and convenience, the Titanium+ variant boasts wireless charging as well.

The Territory has sufficient space all-around for a relaxing ride. Its surprisingly vast panoramic moonroof, leather seats, wooden accents and ambient lighting work hand in hand to give off a comforting and homey feel.

Legroom (specifically at the front seats) may feel a bit cramped for those on the taller end of the spectrum, as the driver seat’s furthest placement from the pedals was just right for me (5’5).

Its trunk space, on the other hand, is fairly impressive and is well-suited for the on-the-go lifestyle; not only can it fit a relatively large load, but can secure different types/shapes/sizes of cargo as well. Personally, I greatly enjoyed the generous trunk space playing golf on the weekends.

Performance

When not on fast-moving freeways and instead stuck in the dreaded Manila traffic, the Territory still retains its pleasant drive. Its 1.5L EcoBoost Engine is paired with CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), tailor-made for urban driving.

The Ford Territory, equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost Engine with maximum outputs of 143ps and 225Nm, offers an excellent balance between performance and fuel economy. I was able to truly test out its capacities for both aspects during those aforementioned weekend golf trips. Playing in courses on the outskirts of Metro Manila, cruising along the Skyway and SLEX with the Territory was a pleasant and impressive ride all throughout. Admittedly, there would be a very slight delay when initially stepping on the acceleration from slow speeds, but once the vehicle really gets going, both the gas and brake pedals are very responsive and smooth.

Whether traversing out of town with a car full of golf bags or getting through points A through D within the city in a short amount of time, the Territory maintains its solid fuel economy.

Safety

One of, if not the most impressive aspects for me personally was the plethora of safety features present. Not only was it the sheer number and capabilities of such, but how the vehicle truly made you and your passengers feel its presence.

An essential cog in the Territory’s safety package is Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 which boasts driver-assist technologies. Lane Change Assist, Enhanced Active Park Assist (that locates a suitable parking space while you simply control the gears and brake), Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning and 360 Camera (for the Titanium+ variant) are just some of the features the Territory is peppered with.

It was when I was traveling at 10-15kph over the speed limit and an alarm started beeping on the instrument panel that would only shut off once going back down to the limit is when I most notably experienced its safety features. (Sorry, Skyway!)

Verdict

As an all-in-one SUV that is safe, smart and stylish, the Ford Territory is the ideal car for the on-the-go city-dweller. With the various exciting features that this vehicle has to offer, and most especially being in the P1.3M range, the Ford Territory has been and will continue to turn heads.