For the most part, the type of vehicle one owns is a reflection of self, instantly catching the attention of potential customers on the showroom floor.
At other times, purpose and practicality plays the leading role in the decision.
And while multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) play their part for large families, lift clubs and leisurely holiday drives, the new twins in that territory, namely the Ford Tourneo Custom Sport and Titanium X, have very different customers and exterior styling but share the same luxurious allure that is bound to back their sales in the segment.
Time to Torque recently dropped into Durban for the launch of the two vehicles. After landing last, with flights few and far between Gqeberha and Durban, we were welcomed by the striking Titanium X derivative.
The glossy paintwork, coupled with the 19-inch alloys in Pearl Grey, large chrome accent grille, chiselled LED headlights as well as electric-powered and heated folding side mirrors, provided a much more refined design aesthetic than the previous generation and gives the vehicle a lot of presence, irrespective of its size.
Opening either of the electric-powered sliding doors revealed the luxurious lounge-like interior housing eight seats including six configurable leather rear seats that can be manoeuvred or removed completely.
And the rear seat passengers are sure to have few qualms, with multiple USB ports, a power point plug, cup holders and three-zone air-conditioning among the features.
But our turn as a passenger princess was still to come as we jumped into the driver's seat.
Positioning the eight-way electric adjustable heated leather seats, choosing our preferred view on the customisable 8-inch digital instrument cluster and cranking up the music on the 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system fitted with Ford SYNC 4, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, we were ready for our jaunt through Durbs en route to Ballito.
And the Turkey-built minibus, being a short-wheel base as opposed to the long-wheel base Trend model, immediately provided a more subtle and connected driving experience within the well-insulated cabin.
The drive through the Valley of a Thousand Hills exemplified the decision, as the minibus — despite being 5,450mm in length and its 3,100mm wheelbase — felt smooth and balanced in the corners and not lacking power on elevated terrain.
The derivatives offer the same driving experience as we soon swapped out for the eccentrically styled Sport model with stripe decals, 17-inch alloys that can upgrade to 19-inch and sporty split rear spoiler.
The Sport also exchanges the leather interior for a functional blacked-out cloth with dual stripes as well as manually adjusted front seats.
Both vehicles are powered by a healthy, torque-focused 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel, four-cylinder engine that puts out 125kW and 390Nm and is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending the power to the front wheels.
Along the N3 the smooth-shifting vehicle took on the traffic, between the numerous construction sites, gearing up and down effortlessly and providing more than enough power to push the minibus into tight squeezes as we shifted lanes, regardless of the driving mode, which includes Normal, Eco, Slippery, Tow/Haul & Sport.
The additional lumbar support in the seats and positioning of the multifunction steering wheel also elevates the drive.
The vehicle's tow capacity is 2,500kg.
Both derivatives are also fitted with a host of safety features and driver-assist technologies including Collision Mitigation System, Anti-Lock Brake System, Adaptive Speed Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Road Sign Recognition and Reverse Parking Aid, among other features.
And after arriving at our overnight stay at Zimbali Lodge, already impressed with the two vehicles' driving, technology, comfort and aesthetics, we were introduced to the incoming Luxe model, which adds additional suavity to the line-up, most notably through its huge panoramic sunroof.
Unfortunately while the vehicles all sport a plethora of creature comforts, none of models has an electric tailgate, which for an owner the size of my wife, a little over 1.5m tall, could cause frustration.
But peering through the panoramic pièce de résistance feature back to the airport, nestled in the leather seats with phone and laptop on charge while sipping a hot coffee, does provide a unique sense of satisfaction that echoes through from the driving to be being driven.
And the new twins are sure to speak to families, shuttle services and individuals to assist the Blue Oval in trying to capture a bigger slice of the minibus market segment — of which it has 6% — currently dominated by likes of the Toyota Quantum (11%), the Mercedes-Benz V-Class (24%) and the Hyundai Staria (37%).
The Ford Tourneo range is priced at R1,104,500 for the Trend, R1,218,000 for the Sport and R1,264,000 for the Titanium X.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.