Ford Territory 2005 Review

It's called the TS and it is a level of equipment, comfort, safety and driving ability most people could live with and afford.

It seems odd that this vehicle which had such a long gestation period should finally be released in only base and luxury models without a mid-spec to satiate the masses.

Now it's arrived, it has staked its claim as an equal proportion seller, according to Ford chief Tom Gorman.

Like all Territory models, the TS comes in five and seven seats, AWD and RWD, powered by a Barra 182 4-litre six-cylinder engine, sequential sports shift automatic transmission, and those handy (footsy maybe?) electronically adjustable pedals.

What the TS adds is better driveability, thanks to the Ford Acutrac handling system with Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension and the Falcon's Control Blade IRS.

The TX is no slouch in the handling stakes, but the TS drives even better. Close your eyes – no don't, but if you did, you would swear you were driving a family sedan, not a big off-roader wagon. That's a big tick in the box for primary safety.

TS also adds to its secondary safety levels sharing the Ghia's claim to be the only Australian-built vehicles with locally manufactured side curtain airbags.

I had the TS for a week of pavement pounding rather than bush bashing, but if that's your thing, the AWD has an optional hill descent control.

After my week with the TS, plus two weeks driving the TX through Victoria and three days with the TX and Ghia on our Car of the Year testing last year, the only complaint I can raise is that the TX seats look like a 1970s velour couch with ugly orange contrast stitching.

The TS velour and cloth seats are much more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable.

Creature comforts are also improved with dual zone climate control airconditioning, a premium quality sound system with six-stack CD, and cruise control with convenient switches on the steering wheel.

Outside, the TS sports spunky five-spoke alloy rims and accent coloured bumpers.

For all this you pay an extra $5800 over the base model. You would need to fork out an extra $4700 for the Ghia for such luxuries as auto headlights, a touch of leather on the steering wheel and gear shift, bigger wheels, power seats, fog lamps, reverse sensors and a few other bits and pieces.

Plus there are numerous optional gadgets, trinkets and bells and whistles you can add to this highly versatile vehicle to mould it to exactly what you want and need.

That is just one of the many reasons it has deservedly won a host of awards: Wheels Car of the Year; the recreational four-wheel-drive section in the Australian automobile clubs' Best Cars; two categories and the outright award in The Courier-Mail Queensland Car of the Year Awards; and the News Limited Star Car for 2004.