Ford has give its popular SUV Territory a light make-over as uncertain fuel prices and the recession appear to hurting sales of the home-grown product.

While the new car market is down 23 per cent, Territory is down 40 per cent. Ford is unwilling to put a time line in place for new power trains, including a diesel variant.

No mechanical changes have been made to the SY Mk 2 model, although engine management has been fine tuned to give the vehicle improved economy.

At launch our Territory Ghia gave readings of 11.4 litres/100 km over highway and rural roads in the central north coast of NSW.

More than 86,000 Territories have been sold since the SUV was launched in 2004, but in the past 8 months its sales have dropped significantly. Ford has confirmed new engines are on the way – but remains coy on what type or when. Previous Ford Australia president, Tom Gorman, confirmed more than 12 months ago to this writer that planning on a diesel variant for Territory was well underway.

The changes to Territory are expected to be the last until major drive train changes are made and a new model released. Given the current changes this could be as long as 12 months.

“Territory is still extremely competitive,” said a Ford spokesman.

The new look Territory features minor exterior changes, a fresh interior environment, revised model line-up and new equipment levels fitted as standard. The new line-up for SY Territory consists of TX, TS and Ghia models in rear wheel drive and all wheel drive variants, along with Ghia Turbo AWD.

The Territory Turbo model will no longer be available. Design changes include an all-new bonnet with complementary new bumper, upper and lower grilles, new headlamps and fog lamp bezel.

Body coloured bumpers and door cladding, body coloured door handles, new chrome belt moulding, revised tail lamps and body coloured exterior mirrors are also new.

Ghia and Ghia turbo models get a new fender feature, indicators integrated into the side mirrors, side steps and darker glass on rear passenger, rear side and tailgate windows.

Fog lamps are now standard on TS models. Alloy wheels are standard on TX models and each model now has its own distinctive design alloy wheels. The interior has had a significant revival with new seat materials, colour finishes and trim highlights on all models. The TS model comes with the full body colour package, along with reverse parking camera, front fog lamps, leather wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift and a third row seat as standard. Ghia also gains the third row seat along with Alpine rear DVD, side steps, privacy glass and 18 inch alloy wheels.

Territory SY Mk 2 range pricing:

TX RWD 4 spd auto $39,490

TS RWD 4 spd auto $44,490

Ghia RWD 4 spd auto $52,490

TX AWD 6 spd auto $44,490

TS AWD 6 spd auto $49,490

Ghia AWD 6 spd auto $57,490

Ghia Turbo AWD 6 spd auto $66,420