The Territory isn’t a brand-new SUV to South Africa as it was first launched in 2005. At the time it gave customers a bigger body option alongside the Ranger bakkie, Fiesta and Ka models.
The last two have long been discontinued locally, with the Ranger currently serving as the brand’s best-seller. Ford launched a new generation of the Territory SUV in 2024, adding another option to an increasingly competitive market.
While the older Territory was manufactured in Australia, the current version is assembled in China, built in partnership with Jiangling Motors Corporation. The model is positioned in the C-segment SUV market to fill a gap in Ford's passenger vehicle line-up after the discontinuation of the Fiesta and EcoSport models. It slots in between the smaller Puma and the larger Everest.
While the Territory model was launched in 2024, Ford introduced a special Dark Edition model that replaced the existing Titanium version. It comes with a number of changes, both inside and out.
What’s new?
New to the Dark Edition is a satin black grille, high-gloss black treatment for the skid plate, foglight accents and mirror caps. The package also includes the fitment of 19-inch Ebony Black alloy wheels, high-gloss black finishes for the roof, roof rails, lower guard trim strip, window trim and the distinctive black "Territory" badge at the rear.
The model is also available in a limited amount of colours which consist of Star White, Panther Black, Lustrous Grey and Ruby Red. Our test vehicle was coated in Panther Black, and we must say that the black-on-black combination wholly elevates the presence of the SUV, combined with the sleek LED daytime running lights.
The inside has also been tweaked with leather seating that features Cyber Orange stitching, which is very reminiscent of Wildtrak models. The Dark Edition already comes with a whole scope of standard convenience and safety features but also adds a 360-degree camera which is great for parking situations.
The drive
Still serving as the source of power is the 1.8 litre four-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine that is available in the rest of the Territory line-up. It produces 138kW of power and 318Nm of torque and is matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Ford claims the SUV has a combined fuel consumption of 7.0 litres/100km. However, in our case, we didn’t manage to get close to that reading, with consumption readings between 8.2 and 8.7 litres in mixed and highway driving.
Despite that, the engine is a pleasure once it gets up to operating temperature and seamlessly transitions between the gears. The engine is much better suited to cruising on the highway where it can stretch its legs and turn the SUV into a moving living room.
Hats must be tipped towards the interior because there is more than enough space for rear occupants. Up front too, where the driver and passenger benefit from heightened seating positions and comfortable seats – both with electronic adjustment.
Spec, pricing and aftersales
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Ambiente - R593 500
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Trend - R650 500
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Dark Edition - R733 000
The retail price includes a four-year/120 000km mechanical warranty, four-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty.
Customers have the option of purchasing Ford Protect service or maintenance plan upgrades up to eight years or 165 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the roadside assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.
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