The new Ford Territory is going on sale in South Africa this month, giving the Blue Oval an answer to the ever-popular midsize SUV segment.
The Territory is available in three specifications with prices ranging from R576,000 to R707,000, making it nearly identical in price to the Hyundai Tucson, one of the most recognizable players in the space.
Ford has a considerable following in South Africa; as such its new model has the potential to be a big hit given the recent Puma crossover is targeting a niche audience whereas the seven-seater Everest is a more expensive vehicle competing in the adventure SUV segment, so it’s only natural to see how it stacks up against its rivals in terms of price, performance, and features.
Engines
All three versions of the new Ford five-seater are powered by the same 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine putting out 138kW and 318Nm.
The entire range is front-wheel drive and features a seven-speed automatic gearbox, which results in an average fuel consumption of 7.0l/100km.
The Hyundai, on the other hand, relies on a 2.0-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol block with a lower potential than its rival at 115kW and 192Nm due to the lack of forced induction.
A six-speed automatic transmission is used to connect the motor to the front wheels, and despite the small output, the Tuscon registers a higher average fuel spend of 8.9l/100km.
It’s worth noting that the Tuscon is also available with a 2.0-litre, turbocharged diesel powertrain and even an all-wheel-drive N-Line variant, but these units are considerably more expensive than the Territory and are therefore not being considered in this comparison.
Features
Standard kit on both the Ford and Hyundai encompasses manual air conditioning, a touchscreen infotainment hub with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, LED daytime running lights, a multifunction steering wheel, fabric seats, cruise control, rear parking sensors, ABS, hill assist, and six airbags.
The base Territory Ambiente then boasts 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, keyless entry and start, a 12.3-inch media screen, and a 7.0-inch driver display; whereas the entry-level Tucson Premium is fitted with 17-inch alloys, heated front seats, automatic headlights, front parking sensors, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a reverse camera, and a wireless charging pad.
Those who upgrade to the mid-range Territory Trend will gain access to light-sensing headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, vinyl upholstery, a leatherette steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a wireless charger, a rear camera, and an electronic tailgate.
The mid-spec Tucson Executive, meanwhile, offers LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, artificial leather on the seats and steering wheel, an electric driver’s chair, 18-inch alloys, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot detection.
Looking at the top-end offerings of both carmakers, the Territory’s Titanium derivative comes with 19-inch rims, front parking sensors, full leather upholstery, electric front seats, a twin-panel panoramic moonroof, ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster, and eight speakers.
It also features the brand’s advanced assistance package that includes adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, lane-change assist, and traffic jam assist.
The Tucson Elite, in contrast, is kitted out with a panoramic sunroof, 19-inch wheels, a 10.25-inch digital driver screen, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and start, a tyre-pressure monitor, driver attention monitoring, lane-keep assist with road-edge detection, lane-following assist, adaptive cruise control, and a forward-collision avoidance assistant.
The Korean also has the bigger boot with space with 539 litres of luggage space compared to the American’s 448 litres.
Pricing
The South African pricing for the new Ford Territory is as follows:
- Ford Territory Ambiente 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT – R576,000
- Ford Territory Trend 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT – R632,600
- Ford Territory Titanium 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT – R707,000
This includes a 4-year/120,000km warranty and 4-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance plan. A service or maintenance plan is optional with the most affordable 4-year/120,000km option clocking in at R14,000.
The local pricing for the Hyundai Tucson is as follows:
- Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium – R598,900
- Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Executive – R655,500
- Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Elite – R729,900
Each purchase carries a 5-year/150,000km warranty with an additional 2-year/50,000km drivetrain warranty, a 6-year/90,000km service plan, and a 7-year/150,000km roadside assistance plan.
Ford Territory
Hyundai Tucson
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