lordricey

I am always amazed when I read about the RWD vs AWD split for the Territory.

Current numbers state that 60% of Territory's are RWD - I would have thought it would be about 20%. Given the benefits of AWD (not only in off road situations) and the prospect of easier resale and higher residual value I thought more people would buy AWD models.

 

Cheech

Ford stated recently that sales of the RWD are taking sales from the Falcon Wagon. So perhaps this is a significant factor in the sales figures ?

Paulv

I wasn't in the market for an SUV or 4WD. It simply worked out that the Terri was a more practical vehicle than anything else available right now. I am not going off road so don't "need" the 4WD.

Yes it's safer, but I'm not willing to pay $4000 for it when Subaru give it to you for free. Nor am I willing to cart around more kilos. I don't think you'll get that $4000 back in resale. Traditionally ANY model above the base model never recoups the extra cost added - so if it's only resale that matters you'd only buy the TX for example.

The RWD Terri is a MUCH better wagon than the BA Wagon - simple as that. Whilst thats gotta annoy the dealers, it's a fact of life. The Terri will drag in a lot regular car buyers that need something better but not neccesarily an AWD/4WD. If I wanted to go 4WD'ing then I'd most probably have gone with the TDI Pajero instead.

Ouzo

As an owner of an AWD Ghia, I'm not entirely convinced that the extra purchase and running cost is worth it. While originally, I had romantic notions of going seriously off road, after 4 weeks of ownership (and a nagging doubt about the Terri's robustness) I really can't see myself doing anything other than token off roading. Also, as the Ghia is such a brilliant road vehicle I can't bear the thought of punishing it off road (not yet at least).

So maybe I should have got a RWD - resale value will be the interesting and as yet untested factor that might change this opinion.

johnydep

I'm always thinking of places to take my AWD Terri.

Before the Terri I was thinking of a 4WD, but I kept deffering on buying one because I couldn't see myself using the full potential of it, just saw wasted dollars.

The Terri was exactly what I wanted.

outback_ute

I would say the situation is that Subaru Australia choose not to sell the cheaper front wheel drive version, it is not "free" (no free lunch!).

I would say many people would be in Ouzo's position, but then many people also buy Battlecruisers thinking they are going to take half their house and the dog through Kakadu. From the significant number of rwd Terri buyers it seems many people realistically assess what they need too, and most people don't "need" all wheel drive, it is as simple as that. Not to mention the way the Falcon wagon is geared so heavily towards fleet use with leaf springs, and the interior flexibility of the Terri and no wonder it is attractive as the family truckster.

Curls

So true, as a BA Futura wagon owner the T only lags in cargo area space but makes up for it a little with greater height. I'm still amazed how a T rear seat with child safety seat fitted in the centre position still kept my daughters feet over 20cm away from the front seats backs while in our BA wagon she rests her shoes "beautifully" on the velour trim, kicking/pushing all the way. And the T is quite a bit shorter then a BA wagon as well.

johnydep

Part of Ford's idea on the Territory was to give people a choice; RWD or AWD, this has been one of the great advantages that has made the Terri a sales success.

The AWD would be almost as safe as the RWD (it is stiil very safe), but the AWD has the advantage of traveling on roads covered in ice & snow, spirited driving on dirt roads and going off road when the urge arises. Not everyones cup of tea, but probably the same people that buy Subaru Liberty's.
So the RWD Terri is taking sales away from the traditional wagon market, and the AWD Terri is eating into the Prado sales.

Quite a while back, I read an article that quoted a researcher for Glass's Dealers Guide that mentioned the resale value of an AWD would be higher in the long term due to buyer perception of safety and also off road capabilities.

And Subaru don't give AWD away free, it is included in the price.

Territory

A few bits of info.
- Wagon sales have remained stable despite Territory.
- All AWD's also get an excellent safety feature, DSC, which is extremely useful in slippery situations, misjudged cornering and evasive manouvers. Next winter, see how secure it is on icy roads and how far it can take you up at the snow vs others!
- Being the first and only RWD SUV, it was always going to be an unknown, but the mix is above our original expectations.

outback_ute

Territory, it's really only the first rwd SUV in Australia, virtually all SUVs in the US are available in rwd or awd (I'm sure you already know this but it's worth pointing out), not to mention the smaller Japanese ones come in fwd or awd.

What Ford has done that is clever is take advantage of their local manufacturer status compared with the other companies where they qualify for lower import duty by meeting certain criteria including drive to all four wheels. So if the other SUVs were imported as 2wd they may in fact cost more than the existing awd because they would have to pay passenger car import duty rates.

Johnydep I would imagine a lot of awd Terri's are bought with one eye on the ski season!