Ford Kuga

For:

• sleek appearance for an SUV
• enjoyable to drive in and around town
• frugal diesel engine is refined
• priced well against the majority of its rivals

Against:

• slightly dated interior is disappointing
• not enough practical touches
• off-roading ability is limited

Overview

For a company that specialises in the art of the 4x4 over in SUV-obsessed USA, Ford have been remarkably slow at cutting themselves a slice of a very lucrative mud pie over here in Europe.

Indeed, given cars like the Ford Explorer SUV and Ford F-Series pick-up are motoring folklore in the USA, Ford have otherwise been reluctant to cash in on the success of the Land Rover Freelander and Nissan X-Trail on this side of the pond.

Of course, those in the know will point out that Ford has sold SUVs in the past in the form of the Maverick, but given the first generation was merely a re-badged Nissan Terrano, and the second generation was designed for less demanding American buyers, it isn’t amongst Ford’s finer moments.

Nonetheless, having resisted for several years, it has been getting harder for Ford to ignore the allure of the Sports Utility Vehicle market, the final straw coming when Vauxhall and Volkswagen bowed to public demand and launched their respective Antara and Tiguan models.

Ford’s response is the Kuga. Quite why Ford chose to revive the name of their long forgotten coupe (albeit spelt differently) remains a mystery, but they are very much in the mood for some mud-slinging.

Although some will question the wisdom of launching another 4x4 at a time of significant belt tightening, the Kuga takes Ford back into the sector with their first focused – and much more European – effort.

The Kuga is stumbling into a very competitive sector with plenty of established competitors. Then again, they always say it’s fashionable to join the party late.

Design – 9/10

Having started off with the S-MAX, Ford’s recognisable ‘Kinetic Design’ has very nearly made its way across the entire Ford range, but the Kuga is arguably the best interpretation of the concept so far.

Much of this is down to the fact the Kuga draws very heavy inspiration from the Losis X concept car that has helped form the company’s design direction in recent years.

Although the similarities for the Focus are certainly apparent at first glance, Ford have given the Kuga some essential accessories to make it considerably trendier. Achieving its intention of looking athletic, yet suitably rugged, this car looks at home on the driveway, in the city or in the fields.

The familiar Focus-derived front-end is enhanced by a more rakish bonnet that, together with the silver scuff plates, help frame the sharp headlights and their chrome ‘eye-lining’. Indeed, it is the distinctive detailing around the fog lights, alloy wheels and faux gills that helps give the Kuga a more visually interesting appearance than the majority of its rivals.

A tapered roofline and reverse-angle C-pillar help it look compact too, despite the fact it is actually longer than the Tiguan, which is a testament to designers who have seemingly taken the time to understand the market and have designed, quite possibly, the best interpretation of the SUV concept yet. In other words, a car for all occasions.

Behind the Wheel – 8/10

It is a shame then that Ford hasn’t made more of an effort with the interior, which is merely lifted from the C-MAX MPV. Whilst there isn’t anything essentially wrong with the clean and functional dashboard, it is surprising that Ford have utilised the architecture of one of the oldest designs in their range.

Still, there remains plenty to commend, from the excellent driving position, which is bolstered by the raised gearlever, to the high-quality plastics which put it in a similar league to the more expensive Tiguan and Land Rover Freelander.

Criticisms consist more of niggles than anything else. Firstly, the swathe of silver paint across the fascia – something that is rapidly becoming a Ford trademark – doesn’t make the interior look particularly classy, while the relatively small window area means the Kuga feels slightly claustrophobic too. If you get the chance, opt for the glass roof.

On the Road – 8/10

With its compact proportions and low ground clearance, the Kuga doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t when it comes to swearing its allegiance for on-road, rather than off-road, driving.

Unlike some rivals that appear to have the capability of scaling Everest but can in fact barely clamber up a kerb, the slender Kuga makes good use of its tried and tested Focus chassis to deliver the finest handling of any car in its class.

Naturally, given that the Kuga is larger and heavier than the car it is based on, this is no Focus to drive, feeling slightly less involving and not as fun. Nonetheless, given its size, the Kuga handles better than most hatchbacks, inspiring confidence and still producing a wry smile with every venture down a B-road.

But this is a 4x4, and the Kuga does at least come with some modest mud-plugging ability. Although the four-wheel drive system is very much part-time (95% of the power goes to the front wheels at all times), the Kuga is capable of scaling the odd rock and wading its way through a quagmire with relatively little fuss. Don’t expect hardcore mud-plugging ability though – this is strictly a car for occasional use off the beaten track.

Under the bonnet, Ford’s popular 2.0TDCi engine is the only powerplant on offer for the time being, although a more powerful 2.2-litre diesel is destined to follow, while a 2.5-litre petrol for the more ambitious is also planned.

Although not one of the most powerful diesel engines on offer at 134bhp, the Kuga feels sprightly enough, reaching 60mph in just over ten seconds and going up to a 112mph top speed. More importantly, the Kuga is one of the most refined cars in its class which, together with a smooth ride, makes for one of the more relaxing 4x4 driving experiences out there.

Running Costs – 8/10

The flip side of having an engine that is less powerful than those from most rivals is that the Kuga is surprisingly frugal given its type.

Indeed, a fuel economy return of 44mpg makes the Kuga one of the most economical cars in its class, while Ford are also making bold claims about the emission of 169g/km of CO2 which, they claim, makes the Kuga the cleanest permanent four-wheel drive car on sale today.

It puts a compelling argument to the notion that SUVs are significantly dirtier than their hatchback counterparts and, given the current market trends, the Kuga is likely to benefit greatly.

Value for Money – 7/10

When judging whether the Kuga is good value for money, it is important to consider whether you are comparing it to other Ford products or to its rivals.

Indeed, on the face of it, a price tag of £20,495 for the base Zetec or £22,495 for the Titanium trim (there are only two models in the range), seems pricey given a seven-seat S-MAX is in fact cheaper.

However, Ford’s aspirations to push the Kuga into the classier end of the market means only top-of-the-range trims will be sold for the moment. After all, while the Zetec is the entry-level model, it is still well equipped and compares very well to its direct rivals from Honda and Volkswagen that charge considerably more for the equivalent models.

On the downside, given the Kuga is also targeting buyers tempted by the hatchback/SUV Nissan Qashqai, it does look rather expensive. The launch of cheaper variants will likely solve that problem though.

Practicality – 7/10

Shunning the trend set by the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Outlander, the Kuga is not big enough to accommodate a third row of chairs so it makes do with five perches. Even then, the Kuga is not the most spacious car in its class, despite the fact it is similar in size to the C-MAX MPV.

It’s surprising that the Kuga’s seats don’t do any particular tricks, particularly as the 360-litre boot is bettered by many in its class, including the smaller Qashqai. There are some nice additions in the shopping hooks and cubby holes but at a time when manufacturers are blurring the boundaries between SUV and MPV, the Kuga could have been better thought out.

Verdict – 8/10

While it may go against the current green crusade, there is no denying now that an SUV is a must-have option in any range line-up, and Ford were clearly missing out. Nonetheless, while it may have taken them some time to jump aboard the bandwagon, the Kuga has certainly been worth the wait.

The SUV is all things to all men, needing to be fashionable, discreet, capable both on and off-road and practical, a compromise that few have executed as well as Ford.

So, while it will still be beaten in a race along a rocky road by the Freelander or X-Trail, the Kuga will out-handle them and is considerably cheaper too. More than that, the Kuga stacks up well against the more nimble Qashqai, proving just as capable around town and turning more than a few heads.

A lot of thought has gone into the Kuga and it shows. Its list of rivals stretches all the way up to the top of the SUV spectrum, but Ford haven’t forgotten that more modest offerings, like the Qashqai, are capable of snatching sales off them too. It’s a hard balance to find, but Ford have most certainly found it with the Kuga.

Best Model: 2.0TDCi Zetec - £20,495