Ok, this may annoy some of our more dedicated Ford fans. However, in today's Sydney Morning Herald Drive section, there is a comparison between the Ford Territory AWD, Holden Adventra, Toyota Klugar, Toyota Landcruiser and Mitsubishi Pajero.
The comparison left the Drive journos wondering if Ford (and Holden) had failed to produce a 4WD capable of handling any sort of off road work. While the comparison noted that on smooth surfaces, "the Territory verges on brilliant - agile, quiet, smooth, comfortable and inspiring confidence.", but they went on to note that "it seems built for a quieter life than the unforgiving area of Australia after which it was named". Over any sort of rough surface the Territory was handicapped whenever its ground clearance was challenged. The said that, "thankfully, the Territory had a Ford accessory sumpguard but this didn't prevent a wire coming loose from a rear-wheel sensor, disabling the traction control and anti-lock brakes, which are crucial to the vehicle's all wheel drive system. A stray stone dislodge the sensor...the incident highlighted to the testers the risk in relying on electronics to conquer rough conditions." The Drive testers suggested that if you want to head to the outback in either the Territory or the Adventra, then you should go with more capable vehicles.
The editorial in the same issue of Drive noted that "we happily acknowledge that most customers will rarely venture of the beaten track. Indeed, Ford expects half of all Territory sales to be of the tarmac-only two wheel drive version....but after our exhaustive 11-day jaunt through the centre of Australia, we wondered if Territory was a suitable name for this vehicle. We also wondered if its inability to handle Aussie dirt roads was the reason behind hosting the media launch in New Zealand, for the Territory is more at home in the city than the country, let alone the Northern Territory."
Off the three soft roaders in the comparison, the Adventra was rated last, with criticisms of its low stance, huge thirst and long rear overhang which is prone to damage. It was also criticised for a reliance on using electronics to control its AWD system.
The Territory was rated second, with criticisms of its poor ground clearance and off road ability.
The Kluger, was perhaps surprisingly, rated 1st of the soft roaders. "Quiet, comfortable, refined and efficient, the Kluger was also reliable when the going got tough, but more crucially, had the ground clearance to ensure it could travel safely on rough roads without being nursed along. And, unlike the Aussies which rely on fragile electronics, it has the mechanical hardware to conquer the rough stuff."
It shouldn't surprise to see the Kluger rated well. The Landcruiser was rated best of the two heavy duty off roaders for off road work.
The comparison showed the following: if you want a city/highway vehicle which carry loads and tow a boat, or want the best looking of the five - buy a Territory. But the RWD version will probably be adequate for these needs. If you want a heavy duty 4WD and aren't planning any city driving, buy a Landcruiser. If you want a heavy duty 4WD and need to occasionally drive in the city buy a Pajero. But if you want a compromise best of both worlds, good in the city and on the highway, able to tow a boat, family and load of gear, and go on rougher stuff, then the Kluger is the vehicle to buy. And buy a Commodore wagon instead of an Adventra if you want a Holden...
Now, any comments on these results?
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