High spec upgrade for Endura
There were small gains and losses earlier this year when Ford gave its madein-Canada Endura SUV a mid-life refresh and widened its appeal by replacing a single upmarket model with four grades of specification and significant value improvements.
Original Endura ST Line models were priced at $73,990 during 2018 and were powered by a 2.0-litre twin turbocharged diesel. Now there’s 2019 line-up of Trend, ST Line and Titanium models priced between $53,490 and $69,990 with power from a 2.0-litre single turbo diesel.
On paper the loss of one turbo costs 14kW and 50Nm but in large part it’s countered by the 2019 Endura gaining two extra gears with a new eight-speed automatic becoming standard across the range. The 1995cc single turbo diesel develops 140kW at 3500rpm and 400Nm of torque from 2000-3000rpm. That shifts a twotonne SUV in a relaxed style with modern low effort diesel urge and fuel-efficiency.
A little of the initial acceleration punch of the twin turbo has been dulled but the eight-speed provides closer ratios, a lower first gear and improved shift refinement. More gears across a wider ratio spread keeps the engine in the strongest part of its torque curve.
The 2019 Endura is most easily distinguished by a refreshed version of the signature trapezoid grille which brings it inline with other Ford models. There’s a
$4000 price reduction (compared to last year’s ST Line) to $69,990 for the flagship Titanium plus the addition of entry level Trend models at $53,490 (front-wheeldrive) and $56,490 (all-wheel-drive) with the mid-grade and sports themed ST Line at $64,490.
I drove the Titanium and immediately enjoyed its diesel muscle and efficiency which delivers highway comfort.
Diesel isn’t the immediate choice for a large SUV these days but it makes the Endura a relaxed
highway tourer with Coromandel roads showing the focus is on grip and wide-track assurance rather than handling agility. Ford drivers looking at the Endura as a Territory replacement will find the moderately nose-heavy stance is a significant contrast to the reardrive bias of the Territory.
The Titanium model rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and the Hankook Ventus S1 tyres put a 245/50 R20 footprint on the road and at all times the Endura felt secure through the highway turns and undulations. It also copes well across sharper bumps and corrugations at open road speeds.
The Endura Titanium has official combined cycle fuel consumption rated at 6.7L/100km and my Coromandel run combined with Tauranga city running achieved a 7.3L/100km road test average.
A towbar is included as standard equipment and diesel torque gives a towing advantage to the Endura which is rated to 2000kg for a braked trailer.
The Endura offers a five-seat SUV solution where most rivals of similar format and size — the Holden Acadia, Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Highlander — are sevenseaters. The comfort and packaging strengths include supportive front seats and a widebody design which adds shoulder and elbow space to the rear passenger accommodation.
There is still reasonable headroom front and rear in spite of a powered dual panel sunroof being standard in Titanium grade.
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The cabin provides some handy concealed storage behind the centre console/fascia along with a large centre console storage box/ armrest and good size door bins and a 220-volt power outlet. There are remote releases for the 60/40 split fold rear seats and there’s also a powered tailgate with hands-free function that reveals a roomy 602 litres of load space.
Current Ford model nomenclature applies Titanium as the identifier for the premium level of specification. The flagship Endura delivers both technology
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1995cc, 16-valve four-cylinder in-line, direct injection and turbocharged diesel 140kW at 3500pm 400Nm at 2000-3000rpm 4834mm 1928mm 1741mm 2848mm 2017kg 64 litres Alloy, front 8.0 x 20-inch Hankook Ventus S1 245/50 R20 radial
and luxury content with its equipment highlights including heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a 12-speaker B&O audio system, the dual panel sunroof, micro-perforated black leather seat trim with silver stitch highlights and a leather steering wheel, dual-zone air conditioning, privacy glass and a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat.
Keyless entry and push button engine start is standard and the 8.0-inch SYNC3 display features satellite navigation along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A Titanium highlight is the dual screen rear DVD entertainment system that will keep children occupied.
Adaptive Bi-LED headlights with automatic high beam control are among the leading features offering excellent range of road lighting and responsive high beam control. Endura has a 5-star ANCAP (2016) safety rating and is equipped with seven airbags plus ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Roll Stability Control.
The roster of Ford Co-Pilot 360 active safety technologies for all Endura models includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with PostCollision Braking and Evasive Steering Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection and Lane Keep Assist.
There’s also a rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, Traffic Sign Recognition and tyre pressure monitoring on all models.
ST Line and Titanium models also get Enhanced Active Park Assist and exclusive to the Titanium grade is blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and a 180-degree front view camera that proves useful pulling forward into tight parking spaces.
The Endura fits in the Ford SUV range between the Europesourced Escape mid-size contender and the tough Ranger ute-based Everest seven-seater. Having only five-seats will scratch it off a few shopping lists and it’s more accurate to think of the Endura as Ford’s modern alternative to the large family sedans and station wagon — that don’t exist anymore — than a three-row people mover solution.
Weighing up the gains and losses while factoring the new entry point price and enhanced value for high-spec models has made the Endura a fully-fledged part of the line-up rather than a premium-only niche contender.
THE NUMBERS
Engine
Maximum output Maximum torque Length .. .. Width .. .. Height .. .. Wheelbase .. Kerb weight .. Fuel tank capacity Wheels .. .. Tyres .. .. ..
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THE ENDURA FITS IN THE FORD SUV RANGE BETWEEN THE EUROPE-SOURCED ESCAPE MID-SIZE
CONTENDER AND THE TOUGH RANGER UTE-BASED EVEREST SEVEN-SEATER.
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