We have not driven a Territory for a while so it was good to get back into one for a week just to see how the car now stacks up. We recall driving car first at it's launch in New Zealand going on six years ago. We were impressed then with it's capable on road performance, and we're pleased to say in that respect nothing has changed. It still rates highly as a driver's car.

But six years is a long time in the automobile industry. It is becoming cut-throat with excellent product emanating from Korea and Japan. We doubt any product from these markets would exceed the pure driving performance of the Territory for Australian conditions. But, there's a lot more to these wagon-style vehicles than pure performance.

Ford announced last year that Territory is in line for a diesel power-plant – a 2.7 litre turbo-diesel - and we eagerly await our first drive of that variant. Unfortunately, when Ford made the decision to produce a turbo-petrol variant it pulled the wrong rein. It should have been a turbo-diesel and by now the car would be on our roads. As it is the turbo-petrol came and went in the blink of an eye. We have only ever seen one on the road.

Ford, like most manufacturers, no longer talk about future product, so we don't know when Territory diesel will hit the showrooms. Our guess would be later this year. One of the biggest complaints about Territory has been economy. We took calls from new owners complaining of not being able to get below 17 litres/100 km. Ford then dumped the four speed auto transmission in favour of a six speed auto which has greatly helped at petrol bowser.

In our recent road test we returned 13.7 litres/100 km from the 4.0 litre straight six engine. That was in the same week we attended the launch of the new Camry Hybrid and returned 7.0 litres/100 km – almost half the return of the Ford. Bring on the diesel. Okay, we know it's not a fair comparo ... it's an indication through of what is to come as all makers pursue whatever they can to reduce fuel costs and do what they do best: sell cars.

We would also like to see Ford to address some of the other issues with Territory. Six years ago the styling was great. Now ... it is starting to look it's age. A friend pulled up his Mazda CX-7 SUV next to Territory and it was a little like comparing Miranda Kerr with Dame Edna. A Territory facelift is badly needed, even though it had it's mid-life upgrade only early in 2009. This upgrade worked well on interior, but failed to excite on the exterior.

Our test car was the Territory TS AWD and came with seven seats. This was our third seven-seat family wagon test car in as many weeks so we have been able to have a close look at the systems for deploying the third row pew and the ease of entry and exit. Prado wagon had a push-button system while Hyundai Santa Fe used a manual system of a easy-tumble second-row seat. Each had relatively easy access to the third row.

Territory on the other hand is a complicated affair with the end result being third row with not enough foot room for adults and the most difficult entry/exit path we have seen since the first Subaru Tribeca was launched. Being empty-nesters we had no reason to use the third row of seats so we were not affected by either the deployment or access.

What we did enjoy with Territory was the driving experience. It still rates with the best and at a vastly cheaper price. We trust Ford Australia is able to keep on manufacturing Territory in the face of Ford head office's global-car-only policy which has already been stated could see the end of production of Australia's rear wheel drive icon, Falcon which turns 50 in September this year.

2WD

TX 4.0 litre auto $39,890

TS 4.0 litre auto $44,890

Ghia 4.0 auto $52,890

AWD

TX 4.0 litre auto $44,890

TS 4.0 litre auto $49,890

Ghia 4.0 litre auto $57,890