Ford Territory 2004 review

It is an interesting question given the amount of research and planning that went into the Falcon-based all-wheel drive wagon, but like a shark it needs to keep moving forward.

The answer, we'd suggest, is not much after clocking up more than 1000 quality "kays" behind the wheel of Territory on one of the great Australian 4WD treks – the famous Gibb River Road between Broome and Kununurra through the Kimberleys in outback Western Australia.

This, close on the heels of two weeks behind the wheel of two- and four-wheel drive versions of the car around town.

It wasn't quite the Territory, the Northern Territory that is (and boy did Ford cop flack for not launching the car there), but it was damn close.

The Gibb River Road is a good test of any vehicle, let alone a so-called soft roader such as Territory, with hundreds of kilometres of hard, unforgiving corrugated dirt road.

However, the wagon managed to soak up the bumps and odd patch of bulldust with nary a protest.

While a procession of Patrols and LandCruisers moved warily forward, the Territory flew across the corrugations, remaining poised and confident at speeds of up to 140km/h.

There was none of the bone jarring ride that you normally associate with 4WDs either, although it did start to drum badly above 120km/h.

As well as all-wheel drive the wagon boasts stability control which helps straighten it out when traction is lost in corners.

The only scars from four cars – one flat tyre and a bolt that worked loose on the lower mounting point of a rear shock absorber.

And we still speak in hushed tones of the moment the car became airborne after hitting a hump in the road at close to 120km/h.

The Territory hardly missed a beat.

But getting back to the question at hand...

A little more ground clearance wouldn't go astray, say another 20mm.

That would give the wagon close to a regulation 200mm and help lift the nose clear of larger rocks and other obstacles.

Because with just 178mm to offer, there is little margin for error, especially exiting dips in the road and traversing rocky sections.

Ford might worry that this will compromise the car's excellent road manners, but it should at least be offered as an option.

There's also room for a centre differential lock, to lock the distribution of torque 50:50 between the front and rear wheels – especially handy during dirt driving.

At present torque is biased 65:35 towards the rear wheels which Ford says customers prefer.

A sports model with Ford's oh so sweet turbocharged six would also be nice, but we're sure that one is already in the pipeline.

We'd also like to see consideration given to a diesel model that would offer better fuel economy and stronger performance for towing a van or boat.

A diesel could find a ready market in rural areas where the fuel is widely used.

Many farmers require a family car with all-wheel drive for getting in and out of muddy properties after heavy rain and for this reason Subarus remain popular.

After that, any changes are largely nit picking.

The Territory is a good thing and one that offers a more versatile package than a family wagon or full blown 4WD.

We clocked up some 1300km during the course of our three-day trip which took us from Broome to Willare, then on to Barnett River Station and El Questro wilderness park before reaching Kununurra.

Fuel economy ranged from a low of 13.1L/100km sitting on the blacktop to a high of 16.9L/100km hammering along the dirt.

It gives the wagon a range of about 400km, enough to make it between fuel stops.

For those considering a trip down the Gibb be prepared to pay through the nose for fuel which costs up to $1.58 a litre in parts.

Diesel was even more expensive at $1.73

Ford has hit on a successful formula with Territory and should be wary of straying from that formula.

Sales have been strong and the TS version should help things along.

The mid-spec TS models offers many of the benefits of the higher grade Ghia, except for leather upholstery.