Ford Kuga Review: A More Mature SUV

Ford Kuga: a global replacement

The old Kuga did not even receive a facelift. Although most cars are refreshed after four years on the market, Ford instead discontinued it and introduced this replacement. America is to blame: when it was time to supersede the flawed yet popular Escape, Ford looked at the Kuga and decided it fitted the bill. However, new Fords now have to serve global markets, while the Kuga had been very much a European model, so the company opted to create an entirely new vehicle.

Predictably, buyers are lining up to get one. Yet what does that mean for the rest of us? We were fond of the previous model, particularly its styling and its driving manners. As with the new multinational Focus, the latest Kuga has exchanged some of that appeal for rather clone-like looks and a less entertaining drive. In return for its reduced dynamic fizz, though, it offers more room and better value. Depending on the rear-seat angle - the seats now recline - its boot has gained 200 litres. A kick-operated tailgate is available too: wave a leg beneath the rear bumper and it opens itself, which is useful when your arms are full of children.

Safety systems and four-wheel drive

It will also lend a hand when you make a mistake. The Kuga comes with a comprehensive array of safety technology, including lane assist and ‘active nibble compensation’, which counters minor tugs and pulls transmitted through the steering column. Yes, it does reduce those nibbles, but they were what made the car feel alive. We miss them. The former Haldex 4x4 setup has been dropped in favour of Ford’s own torque-vectoring system. You may spot the change on an icy drive, although you would need to be driving rather heroically to detect it at speed; there simply is not enough power to test it properly.

Engines, prices and rivals

We sampled a 161bhp diesel and a 180bhp petrol. The diesel is muscular and refined, whereas the petrol seems slightly mismatched, particularly with its torque-converter automatic gearbox, which kicks down if you so much as glance at the throttle - blame America again. The lighter front-wheel-drive models could feel rather more agreeable, but they come with lower outputs: 138bhp for the diesel and 148bhp for the petrol. Prices begin at about £20,895 for a petrol Zetec and rise to £29,795 for a diesel Titanium X, roughly a grand less than the equivalent old model.

Fair enough. The point, however, is that the original Kuga challenged its more conservative rivals, while this one has matured and bought itself some proper trousers. Ford expects it to keep attracting 10,000-12,000 UK buyers annually. It is difficult to dispute the merits of a safer, cheaper product, but we would inspect the new Mazda CX-5 closely before joining that queue...