Monchster Chronicles: The Territory Hybrid Experience: Power, Poise, and 20.4 km/L of Pure Brilliance

Words and Images by Monch Henares

The New Ford Territory Hybrid Titanium X

There’s something about early mornings that gets car people buzzing. Maybe it’s the smell of freshly brewed coffee, or maybe it’s the promise of a long drive in something new and exciting. That morning at Seda Manila Bay, the caffeine was strong, the chatter was lively, and the line-up of ten shiny New Ford Territory Hybrid Titanium X SUVs looked ready for business.

Ford Philippines had gathered the motoring media for a two-day Hybrid Media Drive to test fuel efficiency, power, handling, and all the new tech Ford packed into its latest green machine.

Arabelle Jimenez of Motourismo.ph and I from Monchster Chronicles were assigned Car #4 — a number that, as fate would have it, would soon give us bragging rights and smiles for days.

Breakfast, Briefings, and the Ford Family

The day began with a warm welcome at Seda Manila Bay in Aseana, Parañaque. The Ford team was out in full force — Pedro Simoes, Managing Director of Ford Philippines; EJ Francisco, Director for Communications - Asia Pacific Distributor Markets and The Philippines; JL Daez, Communications Manager; Mark Parulan, Marketing Director, and the rest of the ever-energetic Ford Philippines comms crew.

Pedro Simoes - Managing Director, Ford Group Philippines Inc.

“The New Territory Hybrid is perfect and practical on Philippine roads. It delivers on features that we know Filipinos put a premium on – modern design, efficient performance, smart technology and safety features, and comfortable ride and handling,” said Pedro Simoes, Managing Director, Ford Group Philippines Inc., in his send-off speech.

Then came the rundown from George Ramirez and daughter Jacquelyn of Ramirez & Cutter Events, who detailed the route, safety protocols, and challenges ahead. Translation: drive smart, keep it safe, and let’s see who gets the best mileage.

Day 1 Driving Route

Ford execs and the media at Seda Manila Bay

And just like that, the convoy rolled out — ten teams, ten hybrids, one silent (and very efficient) race to Rosario.

Take off from Seda Manila Bay

The lead-car with our safety and convoy master, George Ramirez of Ramirez & Cutter Events, with JL Daez, Ford PH Communications Manager, giving last-minute instructions to the sweep-car driver, Jaime Ramirez.

Day 1: The Calm Before the Climb

Seda Manila Bay to Cleanfuel Rosario — The Fuel Economy Challenge

This wasn’t just a drive; it was a fuel economy showdown. The mission: squeeze every last kilometer out of a tank over 245 km of mixed highway stretches from Seda Manila Bay to Cleanfuel Rosario.

The 1.5-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine (150 PS, 230 Nm) and electric motor (218 PS, 315 Nm) worked together beautifully, whispering down the expressway like a pair of synchronized swimmers. The 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) handled transitions so smoothly that it felt like telepathy between man and the machine.

We engaged the Adaptive Cruise Control as soon as we reached the expressway, and let the computer do all the calculations for acceleration, throttle response, and braking. We both had the same goal in mind, which was to use the least amount of fuel and keep the drive smooth and relaxing.

Adaptive Cruise Control and lane-keep assist in action

When we got to our first stop, the Total Gas Station along NLEX, all 10 cars were required to change drivers. The lovely Arabelle Jimenez took the helm this time. She immediately felt how easy it was to drive and control. She also noticed how quiet it was accelerating up to speed. I told her it was the engine decoupling system taking over at low speeds, allowing us to cruise up to 50 km/h purely on silent electric power.

By the time we reached Rosario, our display showed a solid 20.4 km/L. Based on chatter over lunch and a few “psst” updates from the other drivers, we knew we were among the top contenders. Still, the winner wouldn’t be revealed until the Day 2 awards lunch at Moe & Bel’s Clark, where JL Daez would announce the official results.

At the Clean Fuel Station in Rosario, our meter read 4.9 l/100km, which converts to 20.4 km/l.

I was confident that we had this competition in the bag, because we actually did better than the officially-declared 19.8 km/L combined fuel economy by Ford Philippines. Until then, all we could do was smile, cross our fingers, and quietly hope Car #4 had done enough to earn the crown.

Rosario to Baguio via Kennon Road — Torque Meets Twists

After the eco run, it was time to let the hybrid show its athletic side. The climb up Kennon Road gave us a firsthand feel of its torque, power, and handling.

The climb up Kennon Road

The instant electric response made overtaking easy, while the Selectable Steering Modes let me fine-tune the feel — Comfort for open stretches, Sport for the serpentine climbs. The Around View Monitor became our guardian angel, showing every blind curve, cliff edge, and wayward motorcycle along the way.

By the time we arrived at John Hay Hotels Garden Wing (formerly The Manor), the hybrid had earned our respect. It didn’t just drive efficiently; it drove confidently.

At John Hay Hotels Garden Wing (formerly The Manor)

That evening at the Garden Wing, Ford treated everyone to dinner, stories, and a few friendly debates over who managed to save the most fuel. (We may or may not have dropped a few hints about our 20.4 km/L…)

Our sumptuous steak dinner, courtesy of Ford Philippines

Arabelle and I are all "fed" up

Day 2: Regen, Roads, and the Big Reveal

Members of the motoring media pose for a quick photo op before heading down via the Asin road.

Baguio to Rosario via Asin Road — Brakes That Give Back

Our descent through Asin Road was a masterclass in engineering magic. Each press of the brake pedal activated the regenerative braking system, converting momentum into battery power for the 1.83 kWh lithium-ion NCM battery.

The convoy is seen going through one of the tunnels along the Asin road.

The Comfort Braking System made the trip even smoother, reducing forward pitch during hard stops and keeping passengers blissfully unaware of gravity’s constant nagging. It’s one of those systems that quietly makes you look like a better driver than you really are. That makes it my favorite Territory Hybrid feature.

Rosario to Clark — Cruising and Composure

The next leg to Moe & Bel’s Clark focused on steady 90–100 km/h highway cruising, perfect for testing the hybrid’s balance of power and economy. The four computer-controlled powertrain modes switched effortlessly between electric, hybrid, and combustion power, always chasing that sweet efficiency spot.

At Moe & Bel’s Clark

And as we pulled into Clark for lunch, anticipation was as high as the ambient temperature. This was it, the Fuel Efficiency Award moment.

And the Winner Is…!

Over a hearty lunch and plenty of laughter, JL Daez took the mic to announce the results. One by one, he called out the top-three teams and their fuel economy figures. When he finally said, “And the most fuel-efficient team, with an impressive 20.4 kilometers per liter… Car number 4 — Monch Henares and Arabelle Jimenez!” — the room erupted.

First Place Car # 4 (20.4 km/L)— driven by Monch Henares and Arabelle Jimenez

We looked at each other, half-surprised, half-smug, fully thrilled. The Territory Hybrid had done its job. I'm glad we trusted the Territory Hybrid's steady digital hands, light electronic feet, and its little touch of hybrid voodoo.

Clark to Manila — The Home Stretch

The final drive back to Seda Manila Bay was a victory lap of sorts. The new ADAS package, Selectable Steering Modes, and refined suspension tuning made for a relaxed ride home. The Territory Hybrid felt composed, confident, and quietly powerful, like it knew we’d just proven its worth. I was just waiting for its comfy seats to pat us in the back for a job well done.

When Tech, Torque, and Timing Align

After 500+ kilometers of expressways, zigzags, and eco-battles, the New Ford Territory Hybrid Titanium X came out a clear winner, not just in numbers, but in experience.

It’s efficient without being dull, tech-savvy without being intimidating, and comfortable without being soft. That 20.4 km/L result wasn’t just a statistic — it was proof that Ford’s hybrid system performs brilliantly in real-world Philippine conditions.

Our winning smiles

As we parked Car #4 back at Seda, Arabelle turned to me and said, “We may have driven green, but we sure took home the gold.” And I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes, the sweetest sound on a road trip isn’t the engine roar, it’s the quiet hum of victory.