Territory Titanium 1.5L EcoBoost Titanium+

What an achievement it has been for this model. Just two years after its launch, it’s already the country’s best-selling crossover, capturing 55% market share while going up against the stiff competition in arguably the busiest segment in the Philippine auto industry.

One of the things it has going for it is its size. It’s big for a compact crossover, which is probably one of the reasons why Filipinos like it.

Ford Australia made this large body look handsome, and to be honest, they did a great job. It’s a little high-waisted for my taste, but everything else is on point.

The top half alone carries plenty of swag with that panoramic moonroof and glass D-pillars (for a ‘floating’ effect). Add a couple of roof rails, a shark fin antenna, and a rear spoiler, and that’s plenty of major plus points.

For a China-made model, the body was shaped pretty good with a highly angular bumper, a sharp character line streaking across the door handles, and it sports very muscular fenders. I wish it had a flatter nose so it looks like its siblings in the Ford lineup.

The grille mesh seems to be a rehash from the second-gen Escape, so there’s nothing much there, but the fog lamps and that silver front underbody garnish more than makes up for it. Plus, having LED headlights, daytime running lamps, and taillights is such a bonus for this variant.

Most of its exterior features express finesse, so it’s nice to see a touch of toughness with wrap-around body cladding and front and rear underbody garnish that enhances its size and makes it look more formidable.

Its wide squatting stance is a unique look for a crossover that makes it easily recognizable on the street. Designers also did a superb job in mixing and matching elements to keep the cost down while keeping its look modern and up to date.

Another thing it can brag about is its smart key and Push-Start button, which makes access and daily use so much easier and more convenient.

Inside is a spacious cabin (with excellent ceiling height) and noticeable perforated leather seats and leather door panel trim. The steering wheel (with mounted controls) is also leather-wrapped, as is the center console lid.

It comes with a couple of 10-inch displays, one for the configurable instrument cluster and the other for the touchscreen infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay is available, and there are four USB ports for charging. The automatic climate control system is controlled digitally, so when the system is initializing (after startup), it takes a while to access. It’s tedious, especially if you’re getting into a hot cabin parked under the sun at midday. There are second-row air vents, CN95 cabin filters, and an ionizer.

For a P1.310 million unit, it feels very premium inside partly because it uses good leather. There is visible stitching, plenty of soft-touch surfaces, and storage spaces, all of which make the layout look great and functional.

That 1.5L engine it has is also called an EcoBoost, but this is not the same one you’ll find on the Focus, Escape, and Fiesta ST. This one is from a crossover made by Ford and Chinese brand JMC that used a four-cylinder gas turbo engine. It comes with only a CVT (continuously variable transmission) with Sport mode.

It feels punchy even with minimum throttle pressure in the low gears. Steering feedback is very light, which makes it an easy drive in the city. Turbo lag is there, especially at high speeds, so expect a slight delay before the 225 Nm of torque kicks in. 143 PS lets it maintain 100 km/h without straining, revving under 2,000 RPM. The average fuel consumption is 10.2 km/l.

I was impressed with the suspension. Compared to China-made crossovers, it does not bottom out when coming down from tall humps. I did not feel thuds, noise, or vibration.

This top-of-the-line model comes with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Enhanced Active Park Assist System, and Blind Spot Information System. It is probably one of the reasons it has sold more than the entry-level unit.

It has been more than an excellent debut for Territory. It is stylish, comfortable, and stocked with creature comforts the young (and even Gen X) market will appreciate. The drive is fun, and the performance of the powertrain is praiseworthy.