A legitimate hybrid threat emerges

The move to a hybrid powerplant puts the Ford Territory closer in looks with the Ranger and Everest. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

It’s very rare that the Philippines gets the first crack at an all-new model.

Even with last year’s car sales just missing the industry’s 500,000-unit target, we really aren’t a large market – but some brands put a lot of stock in our appetite for automobiles. For instance, the Philippines has the highest sales of Mitsubishis worldwide, while Ford decided to hold the global debut of its all-new Territory Hybrid on our shores in August 2025.

“The Philippines is a key market for us because we’ve made the call of having the entire lineup in hybrid, which means we are all-in,” Ford Philippines managing director told Inquirer Mobility in an exclusive interview during the car’s pre-launch shoot.

“We have trust in the car, we believe in the technology and we believe that the market is prepared and ready for the move,” he added.

But given that Filipinos are technically the world’s “guinea pigs” for the Territory Hybrid, just what can we expect from the “Blue Oval”?

The Ford Territory Hybrid comes with a clean, well-appointed dashboard.

Punchy yet economical

Two variants of this electrified crossover are available, namely the Territory Hybrid Trend and the top-spec Territory Hybrid Titanium X.

Both are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine, now mated to a 1.83-kWh battery and an electric motor. Ford Philippines estimates the combined output to be at least 240 horsepower and over 315 Newton-meters of torque, which are coursed through a new 2-speed dedicated hybrid transmission.

At low speeds, it drives primarily on battery power, with the gasoline engine kicking in when you go on the expressway. The Territory Hybrid can do 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, thanks to substantially improved low-to-midrange performance compared to the previous model, while thee combined maximum range leaps to over 1,000 kilometers.

The handsome Territory styling gets minimal changes after the move to hybrid power.

In Sport Mode, the turbocharged hybrid-electric drivetrain offers strong response, along with making the electric power steering heavier. Combine all these with the powerful and easy-to-modulate brakes and this big Ford can hustle around tight corners and climb steep inclines with ease and finesse.

Although I would preferred stiffer springs and beefier sway bars, the Territory Hybrid’s fairly stiff chassis meant that the handling was predictable, making for a rather amusing experience for keen drivers. And when you’re done pretending to be a racing driver, it quickly reverts into a quiet and comfortable cruiser.

Only the Titanium X gets an active-safety suite with Adaptive Cruise Control with Auto Stop and Go, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Keeping Assist. We were also able to try the Lane Centering Control, which uses road markings to help maintain direction with minimal driver effort.

Cargo space is considerably more generous than in other electrified crossovers.

Plush, uncomplicated cabin

Despite being a highly advanced vehicle, the Territory Hybrid doesn’t have frustrating tech.

All models get a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that is mated to a 6-speaker Arkamys surround-sound system (8-speaker in the Titanium X). We found the screen clear and responsive, along with offering the brilliant option of dedicated climate-control functions on-screen.

The Territory Hybrid also adds flair to the previous model’s absolutely cavernous interior, particularly the funky, neon-green contrast stitching to highlight its more environmentally friendly credentials. But the most notable changes are the seats, which feature additional padding for better support, along with much larger headrests.

All models come standard with leather upholstery, rear parking sensors, tire-pressure-monitoring system and a 360-degree camera. But only the Titanium X includes an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, air-conditioned front seats, front parking sensors, ambient lighting, panoramic moonroof, electric tailgate, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a wireless charging pad.

A large panoramic moonroof makes the cabin feel even more spacious.

Electrified evolution

Externally, the Territory Hybrid doesn’t change too much of the previous Territory’s practical yet handsome styling.

The most notable change is the larger LED headlights that now flank a massive honeycomb front grill, putting this electrified crossover closer in appearance with the highly popular Ranger pick-up and Everest sport-utility vehicle. Out back, the Territory Hybrid has the familiar boomerang-style LED taillights, along with a tailgate spoiler and a pert lower bumper.

Likewise, the Territory Hybrid’s side profile is largely unchanged, particularly the kinked rear-quarter window. The Trend variant sports 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Titanium X gets two-tone, 19-inch alloy wheels and silver accents on the window surrounds, door handles and the lower doors.

Nothing to fear

Overall, the Ford Territory Hybrid is for those who want the fantastic performance and fuel economy that only an electrified vehicle can provide, but don’t want the complication of a plug-in-hybrid system.

Prices for the Ford Territory Hybrid start at P1,399,000 for the Trend and go all the way up to P1,599,000 for the Titanium X.

Put another way, this big Ford a “sit and drive” way to enjoy the electric revolution, all while having the perks that only a Ford can provide. It competes well with Chinese brands by having a substantially less infuriating user interface, along with offering better driving feel and noticeably greater interior space.

Launching the all-new Territory Hybrid in the Philippines may have been a gamble, but it’s one that the Blue Oval can go all-in on as the sales of electrified vehicles soar locally.

Indeed, Ford has found the best contender for the emerging hybrid category.