First Drive Impressions Territory Hybrid

The Ford Territory has been with us for five years now, and it has been a steady seller for the Blue Oval brand since it debuted in 2020. Now, the next-gen Territory has been updated to keep it fresh, but the updates are more than skin deep this time. 

If you haven’t been following Ford news (or missed the headline), the Territory has gone hybrid. With its new powertrain comes a fresh set of expectations for Ford’s compact crossover. Having spent time with the previous model, we had a few shortcomings in mind that we hoped this update would address.

Ford handed us the keys to the new Territory Hybrid for a short drive, giving us a chance to explore the revamped cabin, test out the latest tech additions, and, of course, experience the upgraded drivetrain. Spoiler: it feels like a completely different machine—in a very good way.

Ford Territory Hybrid Front

An update wouldn’t be an update without changing a few things on the outside. For this refresh, Ford gave extra attention to the front fascia while keeping the rear and overall silhouette of the Territory the same. 

Ford Territory Wheels

What’s new up front is the design of the grille, which is now much smoother and less angular than before. Ford has decided to combine the DRLs and headlights in the same area, which smoothens out the sides of the bumper. The grille has also been elongated and flattened a bit to give the Territory a more chisel-jawed look. 

On the sides, the Hybrid Territory’s 19-inch alloys get a fresh design with a machined two-tone look with a pinwheel-like design. If you prefer a much tougher, butch look, the smaller 18-inch wheels on the Trend are also quite appealing. 

Ford Territory Hybrid Rear

At the rear, the tailgate design remains largely unchanged, except for the slimmer reflectors flanking either side.

Overall, the new Territory Hybrid’s styling feels like a tasteful evolution of the pre-facelift model—fresh and refined without going overboard.

Ford Territory Hybrid Interior

The interior of the Territory Hybrid also got some TLC. The interior has two-tone leather upholstery, zest stitching, new headrests, and multi-color ambient lighting. Soft-touch materials are still included in the interior, making it quite pleasant to be in. The biggest upgrade in terms of the interior in the new Territory, though, is the inclusion of front acoustic glass, effectively cutting down wind and road noise, keeping the cabin hushed and composed even at speeds of up to 120 km/h. 

Ford Territory Hybrid Infotainment

Remember when we said that the upgrades were more than skin deep? Ford has also overhauled its infotainment system and added more features to the top-trim Territory. Beginning with the 12-inch infotainment system, Ford has upgraded the hardware and software, making phone pairing quicker and easier compared to the previous Territory. Ford’s new Human Machine Interface (HMI) lets passengers adjust the A/C settings without exiting phone projection. Meanwhile, the new Arkamys SoundStage audio system is said to deliver a richer listening experience, but since we haven’t had much time to fully experience it and adjust it, we’re saving our verdict on this for the full review.

Both the Trend and Titanium X come standard with electronic stability control, traction control, hill launch assist, hill descent control, rear parking sensors, and up to six airbags. An improved 360-degree camera system with split-view functionality is also included. Ford has also added a Comfort Braking feature that controls how the vehicle dives forward during intense, emergency braking.

The Titanium X takes things further, offering advanced driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane keeping aid, blind spot information system, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also adds autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning with lane centering control as standard. For its price, which we’ll mention later on, the Titanium X is loaded with features, which could give it an edge over the competition.

Ford Territory Hybrid Engine Bay

Now, to the part we’re most excited to talk about—the way the Territory drives. Previously powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with a seven-speed DCT, the new Territory Hybrid now features a 1.5-liter Dedicated Hybrid Engine mated to a two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission, along with a 1.83 kW lithium-ion NCM high-voltage battery.

In the old DCT-equipped model, the driving experience could feel a bit overzealous at low speeds, especially in stop-and-go traffic. While it settled down nicely on open roads, dealing with the DCT in Metro Manila’s daily congestion often became tedious. The new Territory Hybrid, however, tells a different story—its hybrid powertrain delivers a level of smoothness we’ve never experienced in this model before.

As for handling, the Territory Hybrid felt compliant in this area too, though we couldn’t fully assess Ford’s suspension upgrades given the smoothness of the closed road provided for our test.

Ford Territory Hybrid Rear

Given the extensive upgrades and the new hybrid powertrain, you might expect the Territory to move into a higher price bracket, but that’s not the case. The Ford Territory Hybrid starts at P1,399,000 for the Trend and goes up to P1,599,000 for the Titanium X. If the Titanium X price sounds familiar, it’s because it remains unchanged from before.

Overall, considering the new powertrain, added features, and stable pricing, the Territory feels like a significant step up from its predecessor. With these improvements coming at no extra cost, it presents a very compelling option in the crossover market.


Specifications

Engine

1.5 L

Fuel Type

Hybrid

Performance

148 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name Ford Territory Titanium X 1.5 EcoBoost 7-Speed AT
Body Type Crossover
Price ₱1,599,000
Transmission Category Automatic

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology


Colors

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