Ford has announced a significant expansion of its local lineup, and among the earmarked lot is the Blue Oval’s midsize SUV, the Territory. Slated for a return to our market, what will it rival once it lands?
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While they have confirmed that the Territory will return to South Africa, its due date and its inner workings have yet to be revealed. However, Ford Philippines offers a comprehensive specs sheet for this generation of Territory. The Ford Territory is an archetypical five-door SUV, and within the firm’s global lot, it features Ford’s highest global quality standards regarding design and performance. The Phillipine-spec Territory features a 1,5-litre inline four-cylinder EcoBoost engine offering a maximum output of 117 kW and 248 N.m. The pint-sized powerplant is affixed to a seven-speed automatic transmission operated via a rotary-style e-shifter. In terms of its form factor, the Territory is 4 630 mm long, 1 935 mm wide, 1 706 mm tall and sits on a 2 726 mm wheelbase. Additionally, the American SUV has a 190 mm ground clearance.
Keeping all of this in mind, here are some models available locally that it will likely compete against.
Kia Sportage
The Sportage is Kia’s golden midsize SUV and recently underwent some changes that have elevated the five-door SUV’s appeal. In the latest rendition, the Sportage range benefits from a greater variety of standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems across the model range and the addition of a new powertrain configuration. Characterised by a plush interior, commendable on-road performance and a slew of technological treats, the Sportage lacks in terms of size when compared to the Territory.
- Starting price: R637 995
- Model: Sportage 1.6 CRDi LX
- Powertrain: 1,6-litre turbo-diesel, inline four-cylinder
- Power: 100 kW @ 4 000 r/min
- Torque: 320 N.m between 2 000 r/min and 2 250 r/min
- Claimed fuel consumption: 4,9 L/100 km
Volkswagen Tiguan
Needing little introduction, the Tiguan holds a firm position in the five-door SUV segment, and the recent revisions introduced in the latest generation have only improved on the VW-badged people-carrying SUV. A comfortable driving experience accentuated by welcomed amenities and VW’s refinement standard, coupled with competitive sticker prices, results in the Tiguan elbowing its way past its segment’s contenders.
- Starting price: R686 700
- Model: Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110kW Life
- Powertrain: 1,4-litre, turbocharged, petrol, inline four-cylinder
- Power: 110 kW between 5 000 r/min and 6 000 r/min
- Torque: 250 N.m 1 500 r/min and 3 500 r/min
- Claimed fuel consumption: 7,7 L/100 km
Related: Ford to Invest R5,2 Billion into Local Silverton Factory For Ranger PHEV
Nissan Qashqai
The Qashqai has one of the most noteworthy driving dynamics in its segment. Atop its commendable driving experience is a well-constructed cabin laden with enough technology, and a competition-clobbering price tag allows it to be propped up as one of the better options in the mid-size SUV segment.
- Starting price: R568 200
- Model: Qashqai 1.3T Visia
- Powertrain: 1,3-litre, turbocharged, petrol, inline, four-cylinder
- Power: 96 kW at 5 500 r/min
- Torque: 240 N.m at 3 500 r/min
- Claimed fuel consumption: 6,4 L/100 km
Toyota RAV4
Toyota’s Rav 4 is one of the most venerated nameplates in the mid-size SUV segment. The RAV4 is distinguished by its no-nonsense, no-frills design that has garnered the popular SUV a reputation for being reliable, practical, fuel-efficient and comfortable to drive.
- Starting price: R698 600
- Model: Rav4 2.0 GX-R AWD
- Powertrain: 1,4-litre, naturally-aspirated, inline, four-cylinder
- Power: 127 kW at 6 600 r/min
- Torque: 203 N.m between 4 400 r/min and 4 800 r/min
- Claimed fuel consumption: 6,7 L/100 km
Related: Ford Australia Announces First Plug-in Hybrid Ranger Available from Early 2025
Haval H6
Chinese automakers have begun flooding various segments of the market with products that can rival and even surpass established titles and the H6 is the mid-size SUV segment’s example. The H6’s main draw is its comprehensive list of offerings and amenities atop a significantly smaller sticker price compared to the rest of its segment’s contenders.
- Starting price: R484 750
- Model: H6 2.0GDIT Premium
- Powertrain: 2,0-litre, turbocharged, inline, four-cylinder
- Power: 150 kW between 6 000 r/min and 6 300 r/min
- Torque: 320 N.m between 1 500 r/min and 4 000 r/min
- Claimed fuel consumption: 7,4L/100 km
Related: A Brief Walkthrough of Ford’s History Ahead of it’s 100th Year in SA
Excited for the arrival of the Ford Territory? Will it find a high-ranking spot in the mid-size SUV segment? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
