YOU HAVE TO BE LOADED
So Ford’s top-spec SUV has all the fruit — but so do cheaper rivals with more seats AT A GLANCE
Ford Australia would like us not to call its new five-seater Endura SUV a Territory replacement. I can’t understand why. The Territory was a brilliantly designed and packaged wagon, ahead of its time when launched in 2004, and for a while there it was the best Ford SUV anywhere in the world.
It sold in big numbers and, although it had a few problems early in life, most Territory owners seem to have been pretty happy. I’m surprised Ford Australia didn’t keep the name and bank its goodwill. But that’s why they sell cars and I test them. Endura it is.
VALUE
One reason Ford may be keen to avoid comparisons with the Territory is price. The Endura is a lot more expensive, especially at the top of the range.
The Endura Titanium, with 2.0-litre fourcylinder turbo diesel, eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, costs $67,990. That’s $10,250 more than its 2016 Territory equivalent, the 2.7-litre V6 turbo diesel with six-speed automatic and AWD.
A much more upmarket SUV, says Ford Australia, the Endura is a “premium offering” for those who want something “special and opulent”. It’s well equipped, spacious and very comfortable but opulent it ain’t. A Bentley is opulent.
The sole Endura engine, the 2.0 turbo diesel is shared with the Everest seven-seater and Ranger Raptor dual-cab one-tonner, though with twin turbos in those applications.
The Endura’s outputs, 140kW/400Nm, are substantially down on the Everest/Ranger’s 157kW/500Nm, turning a 10-speed auto in both.
The base Endura Trend starts at $44,990, the mid-spec ST-Line is $53,990 and Titanium is $63,990. These prices are for front-drivers, AWD adding $4000.
For a diesel-powered all-wheel drive sevenseater SUV of this size, it’s expensive. Hyundai’s Santa Fe Highlander, at $60,500, costs $7490 less than the Endura Titanium tested here, and Mazda’s CX-8 Asaki, at $61,490, is $6500 cheaper.
COMFORT
You’re hardly slumming it in the Titanium, which has a luxurious, leather-wrapped, heated and cooled driver’s armchair, power adjustable steering column (with memory for both, plus side mirror settings), heated second row seats, full-length sunroof, automatic parking and adaptive LED headlights.
The ride is deluxe, too, even on the Titanium’s 20-inch alloys. It’s smooth, comfortable and quiet, assisted by active noise cancellation, which effectively mutes the diesel to silence in cruise mode.
I tested a new BMW X5 straight after the Endura — and the Ford was just as comfortable and refined as the BMW.
The austere dash is easy to navigate and you’re well supplied with covered storage, plus two USBs and one 12V outlet. Ford’s touchscreen infotainment is fast and intuitive, with stand-alone voice control plus Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity and automatic emergency services dialling (via your phone) if you have a crash.
Wireless phone charging is a notable omission.
Rear seat legroom is expansive, thanks to a longer wheelbase than some seven-seaters, the firm bench is wide enough for three and the adjustable backrests split 60-40. Centre console vents, plus 230V and 12V sockets, are also fitted.
You don’t get seven seats but the trade-off is a cavernous boot. The titanium gets a poweroperated, hands-free tailgate.
SAFETY
The Trend and ST-Line have most of the requisite crash protection and driver assist safety tech as standard, apart from blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, which should be included but are exclusive to the Titanium. Ford’s MyKey allows you to program functions such as disabling incoming calls, restricting top speed and audio volume, into a specific key which you can then give to the young, inexperienced driver in your family.
DRIVING
The 2.0-litre is one of the most refined fourcylinder turbo diesels I’ve driven. It makes easy work of shifting two tonnes, using the absolute minimum of revs required, though it doesn’t do it in a hurry, even in Sport mode. Maximum towing weight is 2000kg.
The eight-speeder, operated with a rotary dial on the centre console, does its thing in a smooth, timely manner as well, and you can usually leave the paddles alone.
It’s a fuel-efficient set-up for a big, heavy SUV, returning 6L-7L/100km on the highway and 9L-11L/100km in town.
In everyday driving, the Endura is safe and secure. Torque vectoring minimises understeer but in tight corners it’s a cumbersome beast.
Handling can get a little loose if you push it, FORD ENDURA TITANIUM $67,990 (expensive) 6.7L/100km (frugal)
HEART SAYS HEAD SAYS
5 years (avg), $1196 for 4 yrs/ 60,000km (cheap) Space-saver (not good)
ALTERNATIVES VERDICT
2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 140kW/ 400Nm (below avg) 800L (huge)
especially when a few bumps are involved, because its suspension is tuned on the comfort side of the ride-handling compromise and is slightly underdamped.
It has no off-road pretensions at all — there’s no off-bitumen traction control mode selection or hill descent control, even with all-wheel drive.
I wish I could buy another Territory but I can’t. Wait a minute. Yes I can.
I want a big, luxurious SUV with a small thirst and all the fruit. This fits the bill and Ford’s deal on warranty and servicing costs is attractive. Unbeatable value if you’re looking for a highquality, fully loaded SUV. Runs a 147kW/ 440Nm 2.2-litre turbo diesel/eight-speed automatic. Tighter dynamics than the Endura but a bit thirstier too. Seven seats.
Haven’t yet driven this but if you’re shopping the class you should. Runs a 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre twin turbo diesel/six-speed automatic with class-leading fuel efficiency. Also has seven seats. The Endura Titanium is a luxurious, loaded, refined SUV but top-spec turbo diesel rivals have stronger performance, better handling, comparable equipment and seven seats for a lot less money.