Glamping with the Ford Territory

Unless you have been living under a rock, glamping is now a thing. Campsites have come up all over suburbs and near countryside. If you’re from Metro Manila, the nearest “glamp” site could be the hills of Tanay through the twisty section of Marilaque. The steep, uphill drive with its tight and wide corners also need a trusty companion on the road. To me, it’s none other than the Ford Territory.

The Ford Territory boasts a 1.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 EcoBoost Turbo engine which creates 141 hp and 225 Nm of torque. This powers up the two front wheels of the Territory but it is enough to pull the whole car about. Ford boasts the EcoBoost engine which is known to balance power and performance. The engine also has a turbocharger, and the EcoBoost combines turbocharging and direct fuel injection, so it really provides enough power as well as impressive economy figures.

The engine performance translates to the car performance and ease of driving on the road. Handling is smooth on the Territory, some even say just it’s like driving the Ford Explorer, where potholes and uneven road surfaces have little impact and discomfort, thanks also to its good suspension system. This further translates to how the Territory handles on off-road and dirt road conditions which, surprisingly, can still be found commonly in some parts of the Philippines, especially as activities such as glamping opens up new places across the archipelago.

Going uphill in Tanay, the Territory can easily get up to speed even with passengers and a full trunk, thanks to its powertrain. The rise is smooth and easy because of its CVT. If there is a bit of hesitation, you can easily shift the CVT to a manual mode where you can change gears (or simulated gears, because CVTs have no gears per se) and get the power you think you need. Turning through the tight corners, steering is light and responsive thanks to its EPS. Arriving at the campsite, the crossover nature of the Territory enables it to navigate the perfectly right spot for one to put up their glamping tent and awning.

Having the right amount of power balanced fuel efficiency, the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine of the Territory can surely bring you anywhere, everywhere, not only in recreational activities like glamping, but as a daily driver, as well.