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COTY 2011: Ford Territory diesel

  • By Carsguide team
  • Carsguide
  • 06 December 2011

At last there is a diesel engine in the Territory ...

Few cars polarized Carsguide opinion like the Ford Territory turbodiesel.

Comments for the big SUV were all over the road, from "dated, but effective" to "it's a bus".

The 2.7-litre engine takes a moment to overcome more than two-tonnes of mass either from standstill or when accelerating around town. Get it up to speed, though, and it's hard to criticise the ride.

There's some body roll when it is pitched into a corner ... but few drivers are going to drive the seven-seater that hard with their family on board. The SZ range also has an anti-rollover function linked to the stability control, so tipping the Territory should take some doing.

The features in the Titanium model are extensive, from a hi-res touchscreen for the satnav, sound and Bluetooth functions to an Alpine DVD player with a pair of headphones for the first row of rear seat occupants.

There are more efficient turbodiesels on the market but you will also pay more for them in this segment.

The Territory is the grand old lady of the Ford fleet and continues to defy its age (it was launched in 2004) by selling strongly. That appeal earned it a spot in the field, but it couldn't keep up with the smart young things it was stacked up against.

Ford Territory Titanium AWD

Price: $63,240
Engine: 2.7-litre turbodiesel, 140kW/440Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Thirst: 9.0 litres/100km, 236g/km CO2.

Model tested: Territory AWD Titanium diesel - $63,240
Model tested: Territory AWD Titanium diesel - $63,240

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 4 comments

  • I have just bought the rwd titanium and it is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. 930 kms out of 72 litres in it’s first drive!! I have towed a 2 ton boat and averaged 13.5lt/100kms. The build quality is excellent coupled with a brilliant motor and transmission. To those knockers of ford I suggest you go and drive the new diesel, you will be pleasantly surprised.

    Adam archibald of melbourne Posted on 02 January 2012 8:38am

  • JACKO S., Territory isn’t the only fish in the sea. Take the $80,000 Mercedes Viano for example, an 8 seater people mover. It has a 5 star safety rating, and the AIR-BAGS don’t extend past the front windows! There are many cars like this, and I agree fully with what you’re saying, but it’s not only the Territory. Apart from that, it’s an awesome car.

    herb Posted on 14 December 2011 4:19pm

  • This is such a farce! It is so obvious that Ford needs rescuing!

    Daniel of Perth Posted on 12 December 2011 11:50am

  • Let me start of by saying I am a BIG BIG Ford man, and I would buy and drive a Chery J1 before I would even dream of thinking of looking at a Holden. How can the new Territory be in the top 10? I also do not understand how it has a 5 star safety rating. The territory has 3 rows of seats but the AIR-BAGS only cover the front 2 rows! So, what I see Ford Australia saying by not putting the AIR-BAGS throuh to the 3rd row is that ‘those who are sitting in the very back, their lives are not as important as those in the front 2 rows, and the people who have more than three kids, you have too many kids so we will not give the extra kids any protection’. Its so hard for me to openly admit that Ford Australia need to take a good hard look at them selves, and so do you guys if you think it is ‘COTY’.

    M. "JACKO" S. of Wyndham Vale Posted on 10 December 2011 4:51pm
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