Image: Haval
New ModelsBy: Ryan De Villiers
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?
Image: Ford
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
Image: Kia
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
Image: Volkswagen
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
Nissan Qashqai
Image: Nissan
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
Image: Toyota
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
Image: Haval
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.
Keyword: Ford is Bringing the Territory to SA – Here is What it Will Rival