Dilema - New Everest or New Territory

**pwr4ce** · 25-11-2015, 09:37 PM

We are starting to look at options to replace the wife's 2008 SY Territory next year.

Not sure if we want to go another Territory or try something else.

We like the versatility that the Territory offers and with two small kids and a dog it comes in useful. We also do a bit of camping and being able to put all the gear in the back is great too.

I think the Everest would be a good step forward, but worried if it will be too large for the wife to drive.

Anyone else doing similar comparisons?

bernbo · 25-11-2015, 10:06 PM

Having a quick look as they had the two side by side at the local dealer i would only go the everest if i had something big to tow, needed the third row to take teenagers or bigger and needed something a little more serious offroad. Anything else i would go the territory. If it's two kids and a dog going to regular camp grounds you don't need the everest. It doesn't drive as well and doesn't feel as good quality as the territory. Interior in the everest is a little longer but not as wide. That's my 2 cents, but organise a drive to see what you think. We will be keeping our territory longer as it is still one of the best family cars and goes great even as an 8 year old car.

**pwr4ce** · 25-11-2015, 10:22 PM

Know what you mean - our terry has been a great car. Infact I was so impressed with the wife's car that i bought one myself in 2010.
Now that the wife's car is getting towards 8 years old we are looking at our options. I'll organize a drive of the Everest to see what I think.

outback_ute · 25-11-2015, 10:30 PM

Do you need the extra off road or towing capacity or mostly drive on road? The Everest Titanium has lots of safety tech but at a price. The Territory diesel could be a good compromise.

bernbo · 25-11-2015, 10:45 PM

I don't want to start the anti diesel war again but unless your towing or doing huge kms pretty year there is no advantage in going diesel but you lose a lot in driveability. Having driven both types i always feel i need to check the hand brake on the diesel as it feels like i left it on.

Brazen · 25-11-2015, 10:52 PM

I think the cabin in the Everest isn't as tall as rear seat headroom doesn't seem to be as good as Territory from memory, but seeing as kids will be in the back it may not make much of a difference anyway.

Have you considered a Kuga Titanium?

Top_Ghia · 25-11-2015, 11:22 PM

I'm the worlds biggest Territory fan. I had an AWD SX Ghia for 9 years and just bought a new SZ II TX petrol. I love how versatile it is and how it sits on the road. The new petrol engine and 6 speed is light years ahead of the old one.

However, I've just spent 2 days driving and playing with the Everest. It's a better car. I drove it in heavy traffic in the city. I drove it on the highway. I drove it off-road. It's really nice on the highway and very quiet at speed. It has a bit of diesel rattle at idle and on take off but it quickly goes away. The seats are far better particularly the middle row. There's loads of room in the middle row even for large adults. Third row would be kids only. I only drove the Titanium so I'm not sure if the seats in the lower spec models are as comfortable as the plush leather lounge like seats in the Titanium. The seats are far softer than Territory seats. The adaptive cruise is probably worth the price of admission to get into a Trend. It's brilliant.
If your wife is happy in the Territory(mine loves ours) she would quickly adapt to the Everest. It only feels a little bigger when trying to get into small car parks which I had to do a few times. The reverse camera really helps here which of course is on both cars.
I'm almost sad to say but the Everest rides better than the Territory. It does second rate rough country roads very well. The Territory probably steers better as the Everest just feels a little light and disconnected when at speed. The Everest feels solid and well built. The Terrain Management System is easy to use and works well. It's better off-road than a Ranger. It just handled the bumps better and made better traction on the steep stuff.
The petrol Territory would be faster and probably better if you like fanging it through twisty mountain passes but I'm pretty much over that kind of thing and prefer to keep my passengers lunch inside my passengers.

If I was in the market again and has the money I would buy the Everest and I've only ever bought Aussie built cars.
However the Everest is pricey and I could buy a new Territory and a Fiesta ST for the price of base model Everest.

FGX008 · 25-11-2015, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwr4ce

We are starting to look at options to replace the wife's 2008 SY Territory next year.

Not sure if we want to go another Territory or try something else.

We like the versatility that the Territory offers and with two small kids and a dog it comes in useful. We also do a bit of camping and being able to put all the gear in the back is great too.

I think the Everest would be a good step forward, but worried if it will be too large for the wife to drive.

Anyone else doing similar comparisons?

Just an observation, except for the Harley motorbike detailed in your entire list of vehicles that you own (as referenced in your signature block profile) they are all Australian made vehicles which is very impressive!

If you have been very happy with what you have previously brought why not continue with the Territory tradition and own one of the last Australian made vehicles. They are good quality and very well priced for the technology they contain including all round power and performance.

I have had an external look at an Everst in a dealership yard and at a $50k plus listed price tag it was a bit of a surprise especially when the vehicle seems to be roughly about the same size of a Territory. In fact I think they may be a little smaller but please don't quote me (or anyone else for that matter) because there was no Territory nearby that I could compare against.

I haven't had a chance to review what's inside an Everst yet but in IMHO it had better be full of lots of bells and whistles to be worthy of the $50k price tag.

Cheers , Brent

Brazen · 25-11-2015, 11:36 PM

Both biggish vehicles. There is a width difference as can be seen by the Territory body grafted on the back of an Everest mule.

new2ford · 26-11-2015, 06:33 AM

They're different classes of vehicles, I wouldn't cross-shop them myself. Territory is an outstanding highway vehicle, in which respect Everest doesn't match it. It's only replacement is a BMW or Porsche. If I was looking at off road work then I'd choose the Everest.

**Polyal** · 26-11-2015, 07:40 AM

The Everest better be a better car otherwise Ford just spent alot of money doing nothing..LOL

We are in the same position, my eldest is 7 so his starting to get to the point where being right in the back is getting tight. This is were the Everst will win out as it looks massive.

But you can get a MY15 TS for $35k! So your saving some coin getting the Territory.

simon varley · 26-11-2015, 08:08 AM

just go and drive them both back to back

vztrt · 26-11-2015, 08:10 AM

Unless you need the off road capability then there is no point to it.

Top_Ghia · 26-11-2015, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new2ford

They're different classes of vehicles, I wouldn't cross-shop them myself. Territory is an outstanding highway vehicle, in which respect Everest doesn't match it. It's only replacement is a BMW or Porsche. If I was looking at off road work then I'd choose the Everest.

Have you driven the Everest on the highway? I have and it's good. And the better seats would make it an outstanding long haul tourer.

new2ford · 26-11-2015, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

Have you driven the Everest on the highway? I have and it's good. And the better seats would make it an outstanding long haul tourer.

Yes it is, but have you included some quick rallying around the bends of a few typical Australian country roads in that drive?! Unlike Territory it's not really designed for that (and that's not a criticism).

malazn mafia · 26-11-2015, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Both biggish vehicles. There is a width difference as can be seen by the Territory body grafted on the back of an Everest mule.

image

That looks tuff. Better than the final product .

whitelion65 · 26-11-2015, 10:18 AM

It's not a bad dilemma to have!!!

GRANT ED · 26-11-2015, 10:22 AM

I own a 2013 TX terry and had a look over the Everest at the latest 4wd show. If I was in the market I'd consider one but I did think it was quite a bit narrower than the territory. IMO the biggest hurdle is the price. The Everest is significantly more expensive. Finding value in the Everest is a personal thing but I think I'd struggle to get one over a territory considering how much extra they cost. If they were the same price or at least closer I'd get the Everest.

Vesper Martini · 26-11-2015, 10:32 AM

Great review from TOPGHIA and Brazen makes a good point with the width.

I went with the Territory because of the internal space, car like feel & and overall the price.
If you are considering both you & the missus need to drive them back to back

But to me they are Chalk & Cheese

**Polyal** · 26-11-2015, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Great review from TOPGHIA and Brazen makes a good point with the width.

I went with the Territory because of the internal space, car like feel & and overall the price.
If you are considering both you & the missus need to drive them back to back

But to me they are Chalk & Cheese

There both cheese, just different styles.

**pwr4ce** · 26-11-2015, 01:58 PM

Some really great points have been made here.

As FGX008 points out - apart from my harley, all of my vehicles are locally made - and in the past this has been a conscious effort to make it that way.

Originally we were decided on buying a 2016 Territory and being done with that.

I guess out of curiosity on seeing the Everest has stirred the interest and looking at it, appears to be based on the Ranger platform which I quite like.

Will we be towing anything - a box trailer and possibly a caravan in the future.
Will we be taking it off-road? - Only onto the footpath to wash it
Do we use the 3rd row seating - yes from time-to-time - usually when extended family come to visit - the 3rd row in the Territory is good for kids not so for adults and we loose considerable luggage space with the seats up (usually when we need the space) - this is where I think the Everest would excel.

Diesel vs Petrol ? My wifes driving habits return an avg of 18l/100km in her Territory so we get a range of around 380-400km/tank around town and much better when we travel. So over and above the initial cost of a Diesel, either Territory or Everest would be cheaper to run week to week which is something to consider.

My local dealer has offered to let me take one of his demonstrators home for a night to see how we like it - which is good of them to do that. Ill probably take it for a drive beforehand to see what it is like and whether to take it further.

SumoDog68 · 26-11-2015, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new2ford

Yes it is, but have you included some quick rallying around the bends of a few typical Australian country roads in that drive?! Unlike Territory it's not really designed for that (and that's not a criticism).

It is all relative - Territory is great for an SUV but SUVs are not great handlers to start with . Height and weight work against them . That means that you will be outpaced by pretty much any other (non SUV) car on something like great ocean road.
For the purpose of this exercise difference in handling between Everest and Territory at a legal speed limits is a non issue.
Space, fuel economy , quality , purchase price etc. might be of more interest.

Vesper Martini · 26-11-2015, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

It is all relative - Territory is great for an SUV but SUVs are not great handlers to start with . Height and weight work against them . That means that you will be outpaced by pretty much any other (non SUV) car on something like great ocean road.
For the purpose of this exercise difference in handling between Everest and Territory at a legal speed limits is a non issue.
Space, fuel economy , quality , purchase price etc. might be of more interest.

Have you driven a Territory? or an X5 BMW SUVS can handle very well.
I can assure you my Territory handles better than a lot of sedans -I did have to fit 20" wheels & tyres to do so.
Hence my Chalk and Cheese comment you wont get this from the Everest nor should you expect to.

Sprintey · 26-11-2015, 05:15 PM

Lots of good answers from both perspectives. OP we are in similar boat, 2007 Territory petrol AWD 6sp and wondering what comes next. We took our Terry when new with a 1600kg caravan (quite loaded!) around Australia when the kids were both under 12 and it was a fantastic vehicle for the travels we did. Compared to my previous Landcruiser, being able to accelerate while towing up some of the hills near Cradle Mountain was an absolute revelation. To be able to detach and then move quickly and safely up mountain roads with that handling balance has been a joy.

When the family is not in the car, I often find I can reel in non-SUV cars on the corners of the GOR when looking for a wave. The balance through the corners is impressive, and I don't think a ladder frame chassis will come close. New2Ford is right, it would be X3 X5 or maybe F-Pace or Porsche that replaces that particular feeling.

Going off road further, say Fraser or north of Lancelin, that's when the Terry really reaches its limits. And that's where an Everest would shine.

So for us, if lots of money is available, Terry gets replaced by RRS. If not so much money available, probably Suby Outback base model. If a petrol AWD Territory was available with full time AWD, that would be the logical replacement, and TS at $35K would be deal of the decade.

SumoDog68 · 26-11-2015, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Have you driven a Territory? or an X5 BMW SUVS can handle very well.
I can assure you my Territory handles better than a lot of sedans -I did have to fit 20" wheels & tyres to do so.
Hence my Chalk and Cheese comment you wont get this from the Everest nor should you expect to.

Question is will it out handle equivalent Ford sedan , say XR6 ( instead of a base model ) to account for your tyre upgrade . I don't believe it would purely because physics of cornering ( territory is probably weighs 350kg more and has higher centre of gravity).
Territory is a great handler for an SUV and not much comes close even at much higher price point.

new2ford · 27-11-2015, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Question is will it out handle equivalent Ford sedan , say XR6 ( instead of a base model ) to account for your tyre upgrade . I don't believe it would purely because physics of cornering ( territory is probably weighs 350kg more and has higher centre of gravity).
Territory is a great handler for an SUV and not much comes close even at much higher price point.

Comparisons with sedans are irrelevant, the question is how well does it handle for an SUV? A very tiny handful of SUVs on the market achieve almost car-like handling, but everybody expects that there will be some compromise. Everest isn't in this league.

I have the pleasure of regularly driving a 3 series and an X3 around the Kiama bends and the X3 gives very little away to its low-slung sibling. The Territory is not far behind, just a bit more lean on it (yet lower and with firmer suspension, go figure!). I don't think I'd feel confident doing the same with an Everest, I don't want to earn the distinction of being the first to roll a dealer demonstrator!

One clue is that Everest has a very high step-in compared to the Territory. I find it uncomfortably high and I'm 1.9 metres. Territory you can slide your backside onto the seat sideways. That's me - smaller wives and children have to do some real mountaineering to get into the appropriately-named Everest

So it suggests to me - high centre of gravity, not a comfortable family road car to get in and out of, which the Territory is. Otherwise Everest is an excellent vehicle if you accept those compromises.

vztrt · 27-11-2015, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new2ford

I have the pleasure of regularly driving a 3 series and an X3 around the Kiama bends and the X3 gives very little away to its low-slung sibling. The Territory is not far behind, just a bit more lean on it (yet lower and with firmer suspension, go figure!). I don't think I'd feel confident doing the same with an Everest, I don't want to earn the distinction of being the first to roll a dealer demonstrator!

I'm always surprised how well it takes a corner....wet or dry.

**Polyal** · 27-11-2015, 10:29 AM

But they are not really designed as handling machines, it just happens to be a stronger point of the Territory.

Vesper Martini · 27-11-2015, 11:18 AM

I cant find the article but in 2004 Fords objective was to build an X5 at half the price.
Ford put a lot of work into the independent suspension and steering to give it car like handling, yes it had its shortfalls with some of the components wearing immaturely, but I think they achieved their Goal.
Everest is designed for comfort and off-road, not for cornering.
Its heavier, taller has a solid rear axle.

Maybe not quite Chalk & Cheese, and its ok to cross shop them. but with my criteria I was able to rule out the Everest quite quickly.

SumoDog68 · 27-11-2015, 11:29 AM

There is no way around physics but good engineering helps some SUVs handle. BMW (and Audi ) uses long wheelbase - short overhangs , wide track , wide low profile tyres ( run flats for their stiff sidewalls) , driveline as low as possible for low cog , chassis bracing and suspension tune on a firm side . First Gen X3 had a ride quality that was described as if the axles were welded to the body :-)
Apparently new X3 rides better , personally if higher driving position not needed I would prefer a wagon for driving fun.
To return to OP question , there are a few Everests on the road in Melbourne already. Looks better than in photos , fairly imposing vehicle that appears larger than Teritorry.