/ News

Worth the switch? Early adopters share what they love about the Ford Territory Hybrid

Want to jump into a hybrid? These stories of Ford Territory Hybrid owners might convince you.

Jerome Tresvalles
Ford Territory Hybrid

Launched on August last year, it did not take long for the Ford Territory Hybrid to make its mark. Less than a year after hitting Philippine showrooms, the full hybrid crossover has already surpassed 1,000 units sold within its first three months, a figure that serves to remind us of just how ready local buyers are for electrified vehicles, particularly young professionals and growing families stepping into hybrid ownership for the first time.

Related: Ford Philippines names finalists and special judges for 25th Henry Ford Awards

Two of those early buyers are fitness coach Zach Peña and Cat Triviño, an environmentalist and mental health advocate. Both come from ICE vehicle backgrounds, and both have a lot to say about how the switch has worked out for them.

Zach Peña

Peña, who also owns a Ford Everest, was not entirely new to the brand, but the Territory Hybrid was a different experience altogether. "The silence really stands out," he said. "The fuel efficiency is a huge win, so if you want to be smart about your daily costs, a full hybrid vehicle is a no-brainer."

Under the hood, the Territory Hybrid runs a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with a two-speed dedicated hybrid transmission and an electric motor. The combined output figures are solid: 148 hp and 230 Nm from the engine, and an impressive 215 hp and 315 Nm on the electric side. Fuel economy is rated at up to 19.6 km/L, and the system handles its own battery recovery through regenerative braking and energy capture during normal driving, so there is nothing extra the driver needs to do.

Cat Triviño

That last point matters a great deal to buyers like Triviño, who upgraded from a Ford EcoSport. She was drawn to the Territory Hybrid largely for environmental reasons, but the practicality sealed the deal. "Sustainability is one of my advocacies," she explained. "The fact that I can use less fuel and reduce emissions on my everyday drives without sacrificing comfort and performance is what made me go for it."

She also pointed out something that many prospective hybrid buyers in the Philippines wrestle with: charging infrastructure. Living in a condominium without EV charging provisions, a plug-in vehicle simply was not realistic. A full hybrid, which charges itself, removed that barrier to entry entirely.

On a full tank, the Territory Hybrid can cover up to 1,000 km which takes a lot of the range anxiety out of longer trips. For Triviño, who regularly moves between the city and to remote areas for community work, that reliability has been a consistent reassurance. "I've found my Territory Hybrid to be very reliable, with safety features that keep my mind at ease on the road," she said.

Peña points to the cabin as one of the more underrated strengths of the vehicle. The second-row legroom, he says, tends to catch passengers off guard. "It's actually more spacious and comfortable than many SUVs in its class." For someone who is frequently ferrying family and friends around, that translates directly into fewer complaints from the back seat.

One practical feature both owners appreciate is the inclusion of a spare tire, something that is not a given in the hybrid segment, where repair kits are often substituted instead.

The Territory Hybrid starts at P1,399,000 for the Trend variant. This April, Ford is sweetening the deal on the Titanium X, with a P50,000 cash discount or an all-in downpayment option starting at P89,000. For buyers who have been sitting on the fence, the current offers make a compelling case to finally make the move.

Get the best deal - Choose multiple dealerships to compare offers!

  • Select up to 5 dealerships and compare their offers
  • Over 70% of dealers reply within 1 hour
  • 100% hassle-free with no obligation to purchase

Latest News

View More Articles

Popular Articles