THIRST and a lack of gears were the only two things that held the SX Territory back from greatness. And while the rear-wheel drive (RWD) models must do with a rehashed version of the old Ion four-speed automatic in the SY facelift, the all-wheel drivers (AWD) benefit from a trick new ZF six-speed auto gearbox. Its effect on performance and driveability is immediate. Combined with small but equally obvious advances in the 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine’s efficiency and operation, the only true all-Australian SUV is even better than before. If you’re sitting inside a Territory tossing up between going AWD or RWD, then maybe the decision is lying right beside your left kneecap...
Territory
Released: May 2004
Ended: September 2005
Family Tree: TerritoryFORD Australia’s turnaround from the also-rans of the local new car market five years ago to a progressive and dynamic player might have started with the 2002 BA Falcon, but the SX Territory two years later signed, sealed and delivered it on an SUV platter of impressive dynamics, refinement and versatility. Both all-wheel and (cheaper, lighter and more fuel-efficient) rear-wheel drive variants brought world-class family car motoring in a 21st Century package that can hold its head up high even in the company of the much-vaunted BMW X5. But high fuel consumption from the 182kW 4.0-litre twin-cam in-line six-cylinder engine married to an old-fashioned four-speed automatic gearbox has held the SX back – be it in base TX, sporty TS or luxury Ghia guise – from world-beating greatness.
Super Test
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