2025 Ford Territory 1.8T Titanium 7AT tested

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The Blue Oval’s 2025 Ford Territory nameplate has traveled a fascinating journey over the years. We’re showing our age here, but the Ford Territory many South Africans will remember was born in the wide-open spaces of ‘Stralia, mate. Hence the rather memorable name – Territory. You can just imagine the red dust and heat haze of a fair-dinkum outback adventure, can’t yah? Back then, the rugged-yet-comfortable SUV gained a devoted following for its pragmatic approach to family motoring.

That was then, and this is now. And as global automotive tides have shifted, the Ford Territory nameplate has undergone a similar transformation in parallel. As we mentioned in our first-drive report on this new Blue-Oval SUV, today’s 2025 Ford Territory emerges not from Australian assembly lines but from China instead. This latest global joint venture comes courtesy of Ford’s work with the Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC).

2025 FORD TERRITORY

The 2025 Ford Territory is big on space and practicality for the whole family. Image: Ford SA

Naturally, this evolution raises an immediate question. Can the reborn 2025 Ford Territory forge ahead with a new identity and gain wholesale market acceptance in the process? And does it uphold the practical spirit of its forebear in an increasingly competitive family-SUV landscape? Well, spend time with the 2025 Ford Territory and you quickly realise it’s all about making positive impressions.

The design language incorporates contemporary Ford styling cues with a distinctly upmarket execution. The frontend features a bold hexagonal grille flanked by sleek LED headlights. The side profile shows-off just how large its dimensions truly are, while still boasting some pleasant character lines. Overall, the aesthetic strikes a balance between assertiveness and refinement – handsome without being ostentatious, you could say.

FAMILY SPACESHIP

Ample rear space means both adult and child occupants are perfectly catered for. Image: Ford SA

Hop aboard and the 2025 Ford Territory reveals perhaps its greatest strength: space, and plenty of it. The cabin dimensions provide genuinely comfortable accommodation for five adults, with rear passengers enjoying particularly generous leg and shoulder room. The panoramic sunroof available in this Titanium spec bathes the interior in natural light, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. Impressively, for a product alighting from the Far East, quality materials line all major touchpoints. And the seats are sturdy and comfy, too.

Beyond that, clever storage solutions abound throughout the cabin. We especially approve of the deep center-console cubby that can hold even pretty bulky items. Likewise, the 2025 Ford Territory boasts impressive boot capacity: 420 litres with seats in place, and a cavernous 1 593-litres utility space when the rear seats are folded. It’s this cargo-carrying capacity that families with active lifestyles will love. We took full advantage by packing surf boards, mountain bikes, you name it.

SEMI-AUTONOMOUS SKILLS

The dashboard and all its high-tech function operate seamlessly through twin digital displays. Image: Ford SA

The next 2025 Ford Territory USP that deserves a special mention is the technology package. The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system features crisp graphics and responsive operation. Something which cannot be said about all Chinese-derived vehicles lately. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity benefits from seamless integration. We genuinely found nothing to complain about in the user-interface department. Except, perhaps, for the air conditioning, which would benefit from separate displays.

Furthermore, the 2025 Ford Territory and its semi-autonomous driving aids prove genuinely useful in daily driving. The adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking all function with reassuring competence. We particularly appreciate the display within the driver’s binnacle that tells you how many metres the car in front of you is. Better still, Ford used to reserve this sort of tech as an expensive extra, but here it comes standard on the top-spec Territory Titanium.

TURBO-PETROL PUNCH

Versus newer, unproven rivals, you cannot beat Ford’s long-earned brand cache. Image: Ford SA

Under the bonnet of the 2025 Ford Territory, you’ll find a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine. 138 kW and 318 Nm delivers adequate performance in this family-SUV application. While not particularly sonorous, it provides sufficient motivation for driving in urban environments. The zero to 100 km/h sprint is complete in less than 9 seconds and maximum torque is delivered at relatively low rpm without noticeable lag.

However, this powertrain arrangement is not without its compromises. During our test period, fuel consumption averaged in the 9.0 l/100 km range. This is higher than Ford’s claimed figure of 7.0 l/100 km and not exactly a standout for a vehicle in this class. At the heart of this is the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It generally performs its duties in a smooth, unobtrusive manner. However, it could be more efficient on the overrun or coasting phase. Often the gearbox will hold onto a too low a gear, even when coasting downhill. And because there’s no manual shifter, there is no way to override this, leaving you at the mercy of the transmission’s programming. A simple fix to reduce fuel consumption – most likely by as much as 10% – would be paddle shifters or a manual mode.

THE VERDICT

This Titanium-spec Ford Territory has all the possible options boxes ticked.

Nevertheless, in a marketplace increasingly populated by ambitious Chinese rivals, the 2025 Ford Territory has one critical USP. When you buy a Ford you have the reassurance of the firm’s long-established dealer network. The Blue Oval comes with brilliant brand equity and that’s something the phalanx of new players in the market wish they could claim. For any family prioritising space, practicality and a comprehensive features list, the 2025 Ford Territory makes a convincing case for itself. Moreover, its blend of comfort, technology, and everyday usability ensures it excels at its primary goal: contemporary family SUV. And that is why, ultimately, it’s the one we’d recommend above all others over the Chinese.