Ford Territory Titanium diesel 2011 review

We turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want the answers.

Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering would you buy one?

What is it?

This is Ford's new top of the range Territory diesel with rear wheel drive (also available with all wheel drive). The engine is out of Europe, the chassis is out of Falcon, the design and build is all Aussie.

How much?

This is second from top of the range and goes for $58,240 but you get heaps of kit and really don't need to spend any more.

What are the competitors?

Tick them off, heads on them like white mice. Toyota Kluger is probably the main one, Mazda CX9, Mitsubishi Challenger etc.

What's under the bonnet?

This is the "new" 2.7-litre turbodiesel V6 built in Europe and designed by PSA (aka Peugeot). Has seen duty in Jags, Land Rovers, Range Rovers Peugeots, Citroens and others. Has a Variable Geometry single Turbo (VGT) and is good for 140kW/440Nm - a lot less than Mercedes' 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel for example.

How does it go?

Really well though not as good as the twin-turbo model and certainly nothing like the new version, upped to 3.0-litres last year. This engine has been around for yonks but is still a goodie. Has plenty of pull, a bit of lag off the line but is smooth, quiet and economical. A pleasure to drive aided by the slick changing six-speed auto transmission.

Is it economical?

Ford claims 8.2-litres/100km but we actually saw 7.1 on a freeway run and the average with mixed driving is hovering around 8.0 - very impressive for a 2.1 tonne SUV.

Is it 'Green'?

Greenish aided by low fuel consumption but only rates 2.5 stars on the Federal Governments Green Car Guide. Is it safe? Gets five stars thanks to seven air bags, stability control, rollover mitigation and a host of other safety stuff. Has reversing camera.

Is it comfortable?

Superb, great leather seats, just about everything you could reasonably want or need when driving. Quality fixtures and equipment except for the hard surfaces that predominate around the dash and door areas. Wafts along like a limo. Has seven seats with folding third row, sliding middle row.

Tailgate has opening glass, numerous storage options in cabin, DVD system in middle row. Climate control, clever satnav, interior command centre.

What's it like to drive?

Like it a lot, has a distinct European feel to the dynamics, corners well for a big, heavy "truck" responsive on the move, comfortable driving position. Women spoken to particularly like the driving position - high, light and airy.

Is it value for money?

Yes, compared with similar models, right on the money. Best looker in the class, plenty of kit, seven seater with style. Has 18-inch alloys, attractive colour palette, six speed auto only.