Sunday fun day with Ford Territory

The sun was shining brightly, it was nearing lunchtime and our stomachs were grumbling. Fortunately, we had the Ford Territory with a full tank of fuel at our service… a perfect setup for a Sunday lunch run from Pretoria to Silver Orange Bistro near Hartbeespoort Dam. It didn’t take much convincing to get my husband to agree to a summery drive that, thanks to the Territory, felt like a mini getaway.

As we pulled onto the N4 and settled in for some highway cruising, the Territory’s 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine came to life. With 110kW of power and 248Nm of torque, it’s by no means a speed demon, but it has enough pep to keep up with highway traffic and power up those occasional hills. We activated the adaptive cruise control, which worked flawlessly, making highway stretches a breeze. Ford claims an average fuel consumption of around 8.1 litres/100km – pretty respectable for a midsize SUV, but our steed achieved slightly higher than that.

Inside, the Territory surprised us with a level of refinement that’s not always expected at its price point, which starts around R560 000. We had soft leather seats that were ventilated (a nice touch on a warm day), dual-zone climate control, and a spacious, modern cabin with just enough room for the two of us to feel comfortable without being lost in a sea of space. In fact, the Territory’s spaciousness has been one of its main selling points and even passengers in the rear won’t have any reason to complain. It’s also worth mentioning that the Territory offers a generous 420 litres of cargo space, so its perfect for weekend getaways with the family.

Soon, we left the highway and took a turn toward the rural roads leading to Harties. The Territory’s 180mm ground clearance and its fairly capable suspension soaked up the bumps without fuss. It’s not exactly rugged, but it handled gravel roads and patches of uneven terrain smoothly. The Territory’s higher ride height gave us just the right vantage point and SUV confidence as we took on the twists and turns of the countryside. I’ll admit, it was tempting to take a detour and explore further, but our tummies were still rumbling, and the promise of lunch was calling.

Rolling into the gravel lot at Silver Orange Bistro, the Territory’s reversing camera and parking sensors came in handy, helping us park with ease on the patchy surface. It’s the kind of tech you don’t think you need until you’re parking in a busy spot with people looking on. We stepped out feeling all smooth and composed, just as the warm breeze carried the enticing smells of the culinary delights that awaited us towards us.

Lunch was a summery feast bar none. The bistro’s vibe was perfect, the food was indulgent, and we lingered well into the afternoon. Eventually, we moseyed back to the Territory and heaved our overfilled bodies into the front seats and headed home.

The drive back was pure relaxation mode. It felt like the Territory had a setting just for post-lunch bliss, keeping the ride smooth and peaceful as we headed back through rural roads and onto the highway. A glorious way to spend a lazy, indulgent Sunday afternoon!

While our experience was positive on every level, the Territory has faced mixed reviews in the South African market. Competing against local favourites like the Mazda CX-5 (starting around R580 000) and the Toyota RAV4 (starting around R650 000), some have felt that the Territory falls short in areas like fuel efficiency and overall refinement. Manufactured in China in partnership with Jiangling Motors, the Territory’s build quality has sparked debate, especially among buyers who are accustomed to traditional Ford models produced in other regions.

That said, for us, the Territory struck a great balance of comfort, style, and just enough adventure to turn a simple Sunday outing into a memorable mini holiday. It may not be the top performer, but it’s a solid choice for those who prioritise comfort, tech features, and good looks in an SUV.

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