2019 Ford Endura Titanium AWD quick review

What is it?

The Endura Titanium is the luxury version of Ford Australia’s first large SUV since it stopped local production of the Ford Territory. Unlike most large SUVs it has five seats instead of seven.

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How much is the Ford Endura Titanium AWD?

The diesel-only Ford Endura range starts at $44,990 for the Endura Trend FWD, with the Endura Titanium AWD featured here the most expensive variant at $67,990. AWD traction attracts a $4000 premium across all three variants, which also include the mid-spec ST-Line.

Standard-feature highlights include full-LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a parking assistant.

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Our Test car also included Ruby Red metallic paint ($600), 12-speaker B&O sound system with split-view parking camera ($1000) and DVD screens behind each front headrest ($1600), which took the total cost to $71,190.

Who is this car for?

Families who like long trips and who are looking for a luxuriously appointed yet economical large five-seat SUV that can tow and carry a lot of stuff.

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Is the Ford Endura Titanium AWD easy to live with?

While new to the Australian market, the Endura is actually a facelifted version of the 2015 Ford Edge meaning the dashboard is similar to older Ford models, though it's less cluttered and bulky than the Ford Escape’s.

The 8.0-inch infotainment screen is located a little low within the dash, but it does use Ford’s latest Sync3 infotainment system with inbuilt sat-nav and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone pairing. You also get a CD player, which is becoming increasingly quaint these days.

The interior fit and finish is a little plain but has a quality feel to it, thanks to leather-appointed power-adjusted front seats that also offer both heating and cooling.

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The rear seats have reclining backrests and will fit three adults, albeit a little snugly. Rear passengers get their own air vents, 12v and 240v sockets and heated outboard seats.

Boot space is a generous 800 litres, which is well above average for large SUVs, though you might have some trouble fitting taller, bulkier loads because of the raked-forward tailgate glass. The boot floor lifts to reveal a space-saver spare tyre and several storage compartments, too.

Does the Ford Endura Titanium AWD drive well?

A well-appointed cabin and a quiet, smooth ride makes the Endura Titanium an excellent companion for long journeys. Despite its size, it feels relatively nimble around town with light but nicely weighted steering.

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Despite its size, the Endura is still manageable in tight spots and is easy to park. It’s quiet, too, with good soundproofing that’s enhanced by electronic noise cancelling.

The 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, matched with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, feels more than adequate, and features a sports mode when you want to get up to speed a little quicker.

Fuel economy is excellent for a large SUV, with an official combined consumption rating of 6.7L/100km, which crept up to around 8.0L/100km while driving around town.

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The semi-autonomous drive mode, with active cruise control and lane-keeping assist, is easy to set and operates smoothly.

Verdict

When Ford announced it was adding the Endura to its Aussie range, it was immediately viewed as a Territory replacement. And while there are differences between the two, the Endura is certainly capable of taking on the family workhorse role vacated by the Aussie-built SUV.

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In its range-topping Titanium AWD guise, the Endura has the upmarket feel to match its circa-$70,000 price tag. It is a lot of money for a mainstream SUV, though, and, while you get plenty to show for it, it could be worth saving a few grand by opting for the FWD version.

Alternatively, you could even look at the Endura Trend or ST-Line variants that come with most of the Titanium’s key features but misses out on the leather interior treatment.