2025 Ford Territory: First Impression

Marking its GCC debut in late 2022, the Territory is currently Ford’s most affordable compact crossover SUV in the region. Closely related to the China-specific Ford Equator and built on the same platform, the new Territory caters to markets like Mexico, South Africa, and the GCC. In the latter, it comes as a direct replacement for the old Ford Escape.

There are four variants of the 2025 Ford Territory: Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, and Dark Edition. Interested customers in the UAE can buy the new Territory from either Al Tayer Motors or Premier Motors. The 2025 Ford Territory costs between AED 113,295 and AED 138,495, with its rivals being the Honda ZR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, Hyundai Tucson, and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Exterior

The almost derivative styling of the 2025 Ford Territory is modern yet somehow familiar, being neither outstanding nor too bland. Its front fascia features bumper-integrated headlights and the now-ubiquitous full-width LED light bar plus tri-element DRLs. The black finish on the grille and optional 19-inch alloy wheels add some much-needed contrast, with the former featuring active shutters for improved aerodynamics.

Bringing some premiumness is shiny chrome trim on the door handles and window surrounds, plus silver garnish on the doors, roof rails and bumpers. In the Dark Edition, this chrome is blacked out for a stealthier but sporty appeal. Ford has tried to make the design fancier by adding an extended roof spoiler and stylistic vents to the rear bumper.

However, these design choices do not make any radical changes to the way the new Ford Territory looks. What does stand out are the sizeable dimensions of this crossover SUV. The Territory is wider and longer than the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Tucson – it is taller than both. Moreover, its 60-litre fuel capacity is more than its rivals, too.

While design peculiarities cannot, the relative size advantage of the Ford Territory helps it stand out from the rest. The Territory’s 448-litre boot is bigger than that of the Toyota Corolla Cross but smaller than the Hyundai Tucson’s. However, the square shape of the boot makes loading larger items far easier in the Ford.

Interior

One reason its boot is so practical is because the 2025 Ford Territory is only available as a 5-seater. This has allowed Ford to make the seating arrangement across the two rows more spacious and comfortable. The feeling of space is aided by the neat and mature design of this interior, which manages to look modern and premium.

Ford has upgraded many of the touchpoints by involving squishy leatherette with faux wood veneer and metallic accents. The piano black trim on the center console and textured metallic knobs has a minimalistic vibe, while the smooth but flat dash design and sleek AC vents are soothing to the eye. Meanwhile, the optional Peacock Blue trim is vibrant and unique.

The available twin-panel sunroof floods the cabin with light while the ambient lighting system creates a sense of calm. Where there is space for three adults in the back, the front seats come with multiple adjustment options for optimum comfort. A 12-inch center touchscreen is standard, though the 12.3-inch instrument cluster is only reserved for the top variants.

The 2025 Ford Territory is offered with a wireless charger, an 8-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control, automatic LED headlights, a motion-sensing tailgate, and a 10-way powered driver’s seat. Ventilated front seats are optional, while keyless entry with push-button start, up to four USB ports, and split-folding rear seats are standard.

The cabin NVH of the new Ford Territory performs much better when compared to the older Escape. It remains reasonably quiet, especially when riding on the standard 18-inch wheels. However, the large wing mirrors do mean that a fair bit of wind noise will creep in when cruising at highway speeds.

Engine and performance

The 2025 Ford Territory is only offered with one engine in the UAE. It is a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit that is capable of developing 188 hp and 320 Nm of torque. This EcoBoost motor communicates through a 7-speed automatic transmission with the front wheels since there is no all-wheel drive option.

The automatic gearbox is operated using a rotary knob located on the center pedestal. While it is easy to use, the lack of paddler shifters means you can’t take over manual control of this gearbox. Having said that, the Ford Territory will be easy to drive, with decent ride quality, despite its above-average size for the class.

The compact crossover can also be easy on the wallet. Ford claims a fuel economy of 15.9 kmpl or about 6.2 L/100 km, which is decent for this type of vehicle. Getting from naught to 100 kmph in the new Territory should take around 9 seconds – decent but far from exciting. You get four drive modes to choose from, though.

Safety

The new Ford Territory gets an auto-dimming IRVM, electronic stability control, traction control, TPMS, ISOFIX anchors, automatic door locks, and 6 airbags. The standard fitment further includes disc brakes with ABS, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, height-adjustable front seatbelts, child-safe door locks, and hill-start assist.

If that weren’t all, Ford has also equipped the 2025 Territory with driver-assist technology as well. This ropes in 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, auto-emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot alert. All but the base variant comes with a ‘Follow Me Home’ function for the headlights, which can be useful in the dark.

Conclusion

The base Ambiente is the cheapest variant of the 2025 Ford Territory, but it misses out on some crucial items. It not only lacks side & curtain airbags, but it also doesn’t get collision warning with emergency braking. Also, spending well over 100,000 dirhams on a car with manual AC and no wireless charging is difficult to justify.

The Trend variant is a slightly better proposition as it gets 4 airbags, dual-zone climate control, and automatic headlights as standard. However, the best value proposition here would be the penultimate Titanium variant. It comes with not only the expansive twin-pane sunroof but also leather upholstery, wireless charging, a better audio system, and a large digital driver’s display.

Upgrading to the Titanium also means the Territory now comes with 6 airbags plus the whole driver-assist technology package. The larger 19-inch wheels are standard too, along with the slightly harsher ride. Regardless, the new Ford Territory is a far more competent product than its Escape predecessor.

Also read: 2025 Ford Explorer: First impression