Ford lobs Endura pricing

BY TUNG NGUYEN | 3rd Oct 2018

FORD Australia will offer its new five-seat Endura large SUV in three flavours, which kicks off at $44,990 before on-road costs and top out at $67,990, when the new model lands in local showrooms in December.

Opening the “premium focussed”, diesel-only SUV line-up is the Trend grade, while the mid-tier ST-Line checks in at $53,990 and the top-spec Titanium starts at $63,990 – all in front-wheel-drive form with torque vectoring.

However, an all-wheel drivetrain is also available to all three variants for a $4000 premium.

This places the entry-level Endura about $5000 cheaper than its rear-drive Everest Ambiente stablemate ($49,190), but also slightly more expensive than perceived large SUV rivals with seven seats including the Hyundai Santa Fe ($43,000), Kia Sorento ($42,990), Mazda CX-8 ($42,490), Toyota Kluger ($44,500) and Nissan Pathfinder ($41,990).

Powering the Endura range is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that produces 140kW of power at 3500rpm and 400Nm of torque from 2000-3000rpm, paired to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

Fuel economy in both front- and all-wheel-drive guises is pegged at 6.7 litres per 100km, while maximum braked towing capacity is rated at 2000kg.

As standard, the Endura Trend is equipped with keyless entry, power-folding and heated side mirrors with puddle lamps, 18-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights with automatic on/off and high beam functions, LED tail-lights, integrated roof rails and dual exhaust tips.

Inside, the new Ford SUV sports black fabric seats, 10-way power adjustable driver’s pew, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, electrochromatic rearview mirror and dual-zone climate control, while the infotainment system featured is an 8.0-inch Sync3 touchscreen unit with satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone mirroring, digital radio and nine-speaker output.

The Endura is also fitted with an all-digital 10-inch instrumentation display, rotary shifter and eight cupholders.

Safety systems extend to eight airbags, front and rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active cruise control, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring and lane-keep assist.

Stepping up the ST-Line nets buyers a sports-tuned suspension set-up, bodykit, and blacked-out front grille and 20-inch wheels.

The ST-Line also gains heated and cooled front seats, perforated leather steering wheel, sports pedals, rear cargo net and blind, and a powered tailgate with handsfree operation.

Finally, the top-spec Titanium lifts equipment to adaptive bi-LED headlights, 20-inch bright finish alloy wheels, Salerno leather-accented interior, light-up front scuff plates, automatic parking, blind-spot detection with cross-traffic alert and a dual-panel Panoramic glass roof in lieu of roof rails.

Endura customers can also cherry pick number of options from higher grades, as well as prestige paint ($600), a tow bar ($1000) and rear entertainment system ($1600).

With a wheelbase measuring 2849mm long, the Endura can swallow 800 litres of volume with the rear seats in place, which expands to an undisclosed amount with the split-fold 60:40 second-row pews stowed.

Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Kay Hart said the Endura completes the brand’s SUV range.

“Endura presents Australians with an SUV unlike anything we’ve offered before in terms of equipment, design and sophistication,” he said.

“It builds on our extensive SUV portfolio, which now spans from the urban-friendly EcoSport, family sized Escape and through to the off-road capable Everest.

“Endura sits in its own space as a premium offering that we’ve previously not offered.”