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2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
 
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Ford Territory TX AWD
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Ford has hit its target of making Territory part sedan, part sports utility vehicle (SUV) and part people mover. The AWD tyros are the best Aussie prospects in years and as such has taken out an ABC award at its first try. Territory had to be something special to usurp the Subaru Forester, the only unbeaten champion in ABC's first four years. The TX is a triumph of packaging with plenty of space for passengers, trinkets and cargo, while drivers of all dimensions can adapt the layout to their liking. The sole ergonomic error is a teeny left footrest in a country of daunting distances. Its combination of broad, supportive and comfortable seats and a cosseting but controlled ride makes a mockery of even rugged roads. Additionally, the big Ford soothes like a luxury SUV in smoothness and quietness terms. On road it stops, turns and grips with an authority that belies its size. Inevitably, though, its height hands the handling mantle to the low-slung Subarus. Even for a local, Territory is cheap to service and repair while the standard fitout is comprehensive. It is plenty practical and impressively built. Performance from the robust 4.0-litre engine and smart sequential `box remains strong despite the vehicle's weight. Territory does have weaknesses. Chief among these is fuel consumption. And its Green Vehicle Guide-derived environmental score trails many in the class. A high price tag hurts while Glass's Guide predicts harsh future depreciation costs. Territory also lacks many of the pre-requisites for true off-road exploits, a trait common to the class. The steadfast Subaru siblings falter in running and repair costs, redeem themselves with peerless safety showings and stand alone on the handling summit. Datadots help their domination of the security stakes. Forester is a better value-for-money proposition, trails marginally in design designations and relies on off-road ruggedness to share the spotlight with its big brother for driveability. The Outback's seats surpass expectations while its ride, noise/vibration suppression and build quality are first class.
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