Ford Endura: the smooth, silent SUV type

Friday, 8 March 2019

**FORD ENDURA

Price range**: $53,490 to $69,990

Powertrains: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with 140kW/400Nm, 8-speed automatic, FWD or AWD.

Body style: Five door SUV.

On sale: Now

Ford launched the Endura here last year with a single high-spec of the previous model. Now it is making its full assault on the kiwi market with a complete range of the newly-updated car, complete with a new engine and even more tech.

Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?

As well as a refreshed version of the previously-released ST-Line model, Ford now offers the Endura in top-spec Titanium and entry level Trend models.

**READ MORE:

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The Endura's new 2.0-litre diesel engine is smooth, quiet and impressively powerful. It does tend to run out of breath higher up though.

While the ST-Line and Titanium are both AWD only, the Trend is available in AWD and FWD configurations. All models are powered by a new 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine and an eight-speed transmission.

The Trend FWD kicks off the range at $53,490, with the AWD version landing at $56,490. The ST-line is $64,990, with the Titanium tops the range at $69,990.

Although it isn't a seven seater, the Endura has extraordinary amounts of room inside.

Where did you drive it?

The Endura was launched at the same event as the Focus at Waimauku, north of Auckland.

While the roads were perfect for the small hatch, the larger Endura didn't exactly embarrass itself, although it did highlight the diesel engine's tendency to run out of breath up in the revs when passing or on hills, much like the last one.

You may have noticed that the Endura's new engine is down on power on the previous ST-Line we got here, which is correct - the last car had 157kW - but it doesn't seem to have dulled the Endura's performance or response and, higher rev-based slight breathlessness aside, the engine was a wonderfully smooth delight, with a broad spread of power across the low and mid rev range. The transmission was superbly quick and almost imperceptible in its operation.

Ford say the Endura is 'mid-size', but that is American mid-size. Which means 'big' here.

What's the pick of the range?

While the 'new' ST-Line is now a not-inconsiderable $9,000 cheaper than the previous one, it is also down on equipment, with the Titanium being more comparable. It too is cheaper than the last car, landing here at $69,990.

While the Titanium is utterly packed with equipment and technology, we can't help but feel the car that wasn't available at the launch may well be the pick of the range - the FWD Trend.

Being around 90kg lighter and still well equipped for its asking price of $53,490, the FWD Trend makes a more convincing value for money argument than its AWD siblings.

Why would I buy it?

You want a fantastically comfortable and remarkably roomy urban crossover SUV, don't need seven seats and like a bit of American character to your cars.

Impressive handling and the engine's responsive and frugal nature add to the Endura's charm, while even the entry level car is extremely well equipped and satisfyingly high tech.

Why wouldn't I buy it?

It's big. While Ford call the Endura a mid-size SUV, that is American mid-size. That does take a toll on the otherwise excellent engine's open road performance too, with that aforementioned breathlessness up in the revs.

Also, while it is arguably good value for money for what it offers, it is not exactly the price leader in its segment.