In January 2021, when Ford closed the factories in Taubaté, ended production of the national Ka and EcoSport compacts and started selling only imported ones, the recently launched Territory gained a sudden prominence in Ford dealerships. brand.
The medium sports utility vehicle imported from China, which had been presented in five months earlier, began to share Ford’s showrooms only with the Argentine Ranger pickup truck and the North American Mustang sports coupe.
Criticized for the decision to close its factories in after more than a century of production in the country, Ford’s subsidiary returned to profit in 2022, something it had not achieved since the last century. It is in this calmer environment and with a broader line-up – now it also includes the Bronco Sport medium sports utility vehicle (launched in 2021) and the Maverick intermediate pickup truck (in 2022), both imported from Mexico, and the Transit van, coming from Uruguay since 2021 – Ford brings the new Territory.
Reduced price
One of the highlights of the medium SUV, which continues to be imported from China and is sold in more than 60 global markets, is the price of $39,990 – the model only comes in the “top” Titanium version, without options.
A range below the main competitors highlighted by Ford – the Jeep Compass Series S, which starts at $37,190, and Commander Limited, at $49,190.
The price is even lower than that of the previous generation of the Territory, recently offered for R$ 219,390 – with the launch of the new generation, the remaining examples of the old one will receive significant discounts.
And the optimism of the North American brand finds motivation in the product.
Marketed in China as the Equator Sport and developed together with the Chinese company JMC, the new Territory is, literally, another vehicle – the previous model was an adaptation of the Yusheng S330, also of JMC origin. In the Ford line, the Territory is positioned below the Bronco Sport, which starts at $52,790.
Measurements and aesthetic details
The model has grown compared to the previous one – it is 4.63 meters long (five centimeters longer), 1.70 meters tall (three centimeters longer) and with a wheelbase of 2.72 meters (one centimeter longer). ), maintaining a width of 1.93 meters.
In terms of length and wheelbase, the Territory is already among the largest in the segment. The Compass, the country’s best-selling medium SUV, with its 4.40 meters in length, is 23 centimeters shorter than the Chinese SUV, and the Commander, with its 4.77 meters, is 14 centimeters longer.
In terms of height and width, the newcomer is larger than Compass and Commander. The Territory’s trunk has also grown compared to the old model, from 420 to 448 liters, with electric opening and closing.
Aesthetically, the new Territory is closer to the brand’s current global identity. The grille is wide and the headlamp scheme is divided into two, with “day light” with a new LED signature, as is the optical assembly. The rear has thin horizontal taillights.
The amount of chrome has been reduced, something that helps reinforce the elegance of the set. The 19-inch wheels wear 235/50 tires. The model is offered in Metallic Blue, Qatar Gray, Bariloche White, Roma Brown, Toronto Black and Vermont Red (the model tested), with no impact on the price.
Inside, the digital instrument panel is 12.3 inches, with the multimedia the same size.
There is wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six airbags, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, blind spot monitor, electronic parking brake, AdvanceTrac stability and traction controls, hill start and lane keeping assistant, camera 360 degrees, parking sensors and autonomous emergency braking with warning of imminent frontal collision.
1.5 turbo engine with new cycle
If the new Territory is impressive in appearance and equipment, the engine has also evolved. The 2024 Territory’s engine remains the 1.5 EcoBoost gasoline turbo, but it now uses the Otto cycle instead of the previous model’s Miller cycle and has been completely recalibrated.
It gained power and torque – it went from 150 horsepower and 22.9 kgfm of the previous generation to 169 horsepower and 25.5 kgfm in the current one. And the old CVT transmission with 8 simulated gears is replaced by an automated dual-clutch gearbox with 7 speeds.
Due to the lower price and the evolution of the product in all aspects, cost/benefit is the basis for Ford to have good expectations regarding the new Territory. Not even in the days when it shared the brand’s showrooms with just the Ranger and the Mustang did the previous generation of the Territory sell much.
There were 1,512 registrations in the five months of supply in 2020, 2,232 in 2021, 976 in 2022 and just 635 in the first seven months of 2023. Now, as usual, Ford is not advancing its sales projections for the new Territory.
Obviously, it cannot imagine reaching the current monthly average of 5 thousand registrations of the segment leader, the Compass – but, with justifiable conviction, it intends to go well beyond the 148 monthly units obtained by the previous generation.
Experience on board – Level above
Inside the Territory 2024, the good traditions of Ford interiors are worthily represented. In addition to being beautiful, the medium sports utility vehicle has a technological atmosphere and reveals an improved finishing and assembly standard compared to the previous model, which was already good.
The brand claims that the new sports utility vehicle is a leader in internal space and passenger comfort. In fact, the perception of space is good in any of the seats, especially in the rear ones.
The front seats are ventilated and have electrical adjustments (ten positions for the driver and four for the passenger). The standard electric panoramic sunroof increases the feeling of spaciousness on board.
Connectivity is a topic valued by consumers of medium SUVs – and the Territory couldn’t do badly in this regard. Its Sync multimedia center has a 12.3-inch screen, personalized display modes and wireless connection with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is a wireless charger for your cell phone in the console.
The customizable digital instrument panel is also 12.3 inches and is brought together in a single frame with the multimedia, giving the impression of forming a single screen.
First impressions – Dynamic grandeur
Itu/ – Impressing Seattle consumers and making them forget their old prejudices against cars “made in China” is Territory’s challenge.
Such prevention seems anachronistic in times when China has become the main reference in the most dynamic and technological segment of the global automotive industry – electric cars. In car production, the Chinese follow the same logic of continuous improvement and importing talents and ideas from other places, applied for decades in the electronics and telecommunications sectors – where the Asian country took the lead in the markets.
Developed in a global partnership, which included Ford South America Engineering, the new Territory proves to be a beautiful automotive product, which is unmatched by its competitors, both those manufactured in EUA and those imported.
To “wake up” the Territory’s turbocharged 1.5 EcoBoost gasoline engine, simply press the start button, which fortunately is now to the driver’s right. While the previous generation engine – with a power of 150 horsepower and a torque of 22.9 kgfm – was more focused on energy efficiency than on sportiness, in the new model the conversation is different.
The current 169 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 25.5 kgfm from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm are capable of moving the 2,025 kilos of the average SUV with more dynamic and thought-provoking performances. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h, according to Ford, can be done in 10.3 seconds. The “turbo lag” that characterized the previous model has practically disappeared.
Accelerator responses are much smarter, with the “luxurious assistance” of the 7-speed DCT automatic transmission, with oil-bathed double clutch, which replaced the CVT automatic with 8 simulated speeds of the previous model.
The gearshift control is rotary, automatic changes are extremely smooth and sequential changes on the steering wheel and the “Normal”, “Eco”, “Serra/Hill” and “Sport” driving modes can adapt responses to different demands.