After a gap of too many years Ford Australia finally had an SUV to replace the very successful Ford Territory. The Ford Endura arrived late in 2018 but hasn’t created a lot of waves in the sales race at this stage. We anticipate this changes as potential buyers become aware that it’s here.
Ford Endura is very much set up for American drivers who tend to have different tastes to Aussie ones. see the Driving section of this review to get our opinion after spending a week behind the wheel of an Endura Titanium.
Ford Endura is a five-seater and is offered in three specifications levels, Trend, ST-Line and flagship Titanium. As is pretty well the norm in this market segment in Australia they are wagons designed to provide comfort and refinement rather than to be off-road bruisers.
Ford Endura has a towing capacity of up to 2000kg when brakes are fitted to the trailer or caravan. Trailer sway control makes life easier.
STYLING
A nice shape particularly at the front with we reckon it’s front is dominated beautifully by one of the best grille shapes in the current Ford range.
The sides have neat swage lines, but the side-rear area is rather generic and hard to pick from competitors’. There are some neat touches at the back, with a full width garnish below the window and trapezoidal exhaust covers.
INTERIOR
The dash area is neat and tidy with good correlation between the instrument panel and the central display panel. We also appreciate the way the centre section works its way down to the console – and in particular the circular gear selector. Styling of the seats is good, even in the rear, and they tie in nicely with the door trims.
INFOTAINMENT
An 8.0-inch full-colour touchscreen showcases Ford’s SYNC 3 system and provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. DAB+ radio is part of the infotainment package and powers a nine-speaker audio system.
We would like to see a larger screen, though in its favour the current one is easy to read.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Power comes from a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that produces 140kW and 400Nm. It drives though an eight-speed torque-converter automatic to either the front or all four wheels.
SAFETY
The big Ford has a full suite of crash avoidance technology including autonomous emergency braking if an inattentive driver has not seen what’s happening in front of them.
Occupant injury in a crash will be minimised by eight airbags including driver and front passenger knee bags.
DRIVING
There’s good interiors room for four adults, five without too much of a squeeze if those in the rear seat are on the slim side. The large sunroof that’s standard on the test Titanium takes away a little headroom in the rear, but there are rivals which are less comfortable back there.
Boot space is very good, with a capacity of 600 litres to the window line. This expands to a voluminous 1860 litres with the rear seats folded down and the cargo is loaded to the ceiling.
However, it misses out on being fully flat behind the front seats – a real no-no for us as Bailey, our standard poodle, doesn’t like the way his bed slips back down the sloping load area.
With its American origins the Endura is soft and comfortable on the road, it’s an excellent long distance cruiser it eats up the miles in the Aussie inland hour after hour without making anyone feel cramped.
On mild non-sealed roads such as corrugated dirt, Endura remains pleasant to ride in.
Handling is capable enough but it comes as no surprise this American SUV isn’t intended to tackle enthusiastic driving on your favourite hillclimbs. Feel through the steering is pretty good, though most of the European competitors in this field do it better.
Fuel consumption from the diesel is impressively low, running in the five to seven litres per hundred kilometres range on motorways and gentle country roads. Around town it climbs to seven to ten litres per hundred. Keep in mind that diesel fuel in Australia is often charged at significantly more than petrol, sometimes as much as 20 cent more. Sheer robbery…
SUMMING UP
Ford Endura joins the urban Ford EcoSport, family-sized Escape and the big, off-road capable Everest to provide for all Ford lovers in the SUV market.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Endura Trend FWD: $44,990 (automatic)
Endura Trend AWD: $48,990 (automatic)
Endura ST-Line FWD: $53,990 (automatic)
Endura ST-Line AWD: $57,990 (automatic)
Endura Titanium FWD: $63,990 (automatic)
Endura Titanium AWD: $67,990 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Ford dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Ford Endura Titanium 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.995 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 140 kW @ 3400 rpm
Maximum Torque: 400 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Fuel Type: Diesel
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 6.7 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 176 g/km
DRIVELINE: Eight-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4834 mm
Wheelbase: 2849 mm
Width: 1928 mm
Height: 1751 mm
Turning Circle: Not supplied
Kerb Mass: 2077 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 64 litres
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years / unlimlited kilometres
