Exploring the Ford Territory Dark Edition: a family SUV that redefines style
Image: supplied
Special edition vehicles have always been a hit in the South African market, with Ford having launched a number of them successfully over the years, particularly with their double-cab bakkie Rangers and have now added the Territory Dark Edition to the mix.
The family-oriented SUV, launched last year, has been a welcome addition to the Ford stable while also providing a boost to their monthly sales.
The Territory focuses its attention on being a family-friendly SUV with a comfortable and spacious interior.
The Dark Edition aims to capitalise on that by adding interior and exterior additions to make it stand out from the crowd.
It's now on top of the Territory pyramid, replacing the Titanium model.
Exterior
On first glance at the launch drive, it certainly looks like Ford has done a good job, making it far more eye-catching than the outgoing Titanium.
The front gets a satin black grille, the front skidplate receives high-gloss black treatment, and additionally, there are fog lamp accents and mirror caps.
It stands on 19-inch Ebony Black alloy wheels, obviously, the roof gets the same high-gloss black finish as do the integrated roof rails, lower guard trim strip, window trim and the black 'Territory' badge at the rear.
It's available in Star White, Lustrous Grey, Panther Black and Ruby Red.
The Ford Territory Dark Edition is aimed at buyers with a family.
Image: Supplied
Interior
Inside, there's been a metamorphosis over the standard interior, and the impression we got was that it looked and felt a lot more premium.
The headliner and pillars are charcoal black, as are the leather perforated seats with Cyber Orange stitching, which is also present on the door trims, steering wheel and instrument panel inserts.
A black painted strip frames the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that's wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
There's loads of room for rear passengers while 448 litres of luggage space (1 422 litres with the rear seats folded) will swallow a lot of holiday baggage.
Power
The Territory has a strong Chinese connection, with it being manufactured in Nanchang by Jiangling Motors Co., more commonly known as JMC, as part of a joint venture with Ford.
However, the engine is Ford's tried and tested 1.8-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost turbocharged petrol producing 138kW and 318NM.
It's mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with Eco, Normal, Sport, and Mountain modes driving the front wheels.
The Ford Territory Dark Edition's interior gets Cyber Orange stitching on the door trims, steering wheel, instrument panel inserts and seats.
Image: Supplied
Driving
Ford had come up with a unique way of launching the Territory Dark Edition for the local launch.
Punting it as a family vehicle, they had invited the media and their 'tribe' to experience the car and spend time at Gold Reef City.
In the hurly burly of everyday life and responsibilities, you forget how much fun and exhilarating the various rides provide for your inner child.
Midweek, my 'tribe' was one, but there were obviously other larger families.
In the last two years or so since going to university, my son has come around to appreciate cars more. As a youngster, it made no difference whether I arrived in a small entry-level runabout or a R3-million sports car.
So when we climbed into the Territory, he noted that the interior looked and felt a lot nicer than some of the cars I've had on test.
Important too was the fact that it has wireless charging, three USB ports up front and a USB charging port at the rear because listening to music and constantly being on WhatsApp and social media drains batteries.
The seats are rather on the stiff side and could become uncomfortable after a while, but they are fully electrically adjustable.
The steering wheel is rake and reach adjustable, so finding the perfect driving position is easy.
As with previous Territories I've driven, the brake pedal is harsh when first applied, and it takes a while to adjust your foot pressure, especially when driving slowly in traffic.
Unlike Ford products like the Rangers, Everests and Pumas, the Territory lacks some of the nuances associated with them.
The throttle calibration is a way off from what we've become accustomed to from the brand, but it's still substantially better than some of the other Chinese SUVs we've driven.
There's a bit of hesitation on takeoff, but once it's in second gear, it's smooth sailing.
However, given the Territory's target market and its application, this is not a deal-breaker.
Using the adaptive cruise control, I found it to be overly sensitive, with warning sounds and lights appearing for no apparent reason.
On the highway, it effortlessly switches cogs when needed and settles down to the speed limit comfortably.
I floored the accelerator once or twice, and the Territory is no slouch and will easily attract the attention of traffic police.
Talking of the cops, they were nowhere to be seen on the drive back, much of it along Malibongwe Drive's gauntlet of potholes, broken traffic lights, homeless men directing peak hour traffic, taxis disregarding every road rule, pedestrians and generally a microcosm of everything that's wrong with our driving.
It has a myriad of safety features that warn you of impending danger, and with every rule of the road being disregarded for close to 20 kilometres between the warning lights and chimes, it looked like an 80s disco inside.
No doubt, though, as an owner over time, you'll figure out how to override most of them.
On our return, consumption figures stood at 7.9l/100km, which is not bad at all considering most of our driving was done in heavy traffic.
The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen has crisp graphics and is easy to use.
Image: Supplied
Safety
It comes with a slew of safety features, including Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Change Assist.
It comes with six airbags, comprising dual front and curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Hill Launch Assist, Hill Descent Control and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
The Territory Dark Edition adds a palette of good-looking style changes to the range.
Positioning it strongly as a comfortable SUV for families and everyday driving is right on the money, and with the reassurance of an established dealer network, it will provide many years of happy, uncomplicated driving.
It comes with a six-year/90 000km Ford Optional Service Plan, four-year/120 000km Ford warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty.
Customers have the option of purchasing Ford Protect Service or Maintenance Plan upgrades up to eight years or 165 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.
Pricing July 2025
Territory Ambiente 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT: R593 500
Territory Trend 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT: R650 500
Territory Dark Edition 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT: R733 000
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