The Ford Kuga was the first foray by Ford into the crossover market. These are family-friendly medium-sized SUVs that keep the rugged styling, high driving position and interior space of a traditional 4x4, but do without some of the hardcore mechanical kit needed for extreme off-roading.
That means that while Kugas are available with four-wheel drive (though many are front-wheel drive, especially the later models), they don’t have low-range gearboxes or locking differentials. The benefit of this is the lower running costs you get from reduced CO2 emissions and lower fuel consumption.
Ford was a little late to the party with the Kuga, as it arrived some time after the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan were already lighting up the sales charts. But although the Kuga certainly wasn’t the first to the midsize SUV party, it was immediately one of the best options in the segment.
The first-generation Kuga shared much of its chassis and other mechanical parts with the mk2 Ford Focus and, like its family hatchback cousin, it was a well-equipped and likeable car that offered reasonable running costs and was surprisingly enjoyable to drive.
Early Kugas were available with petrol power, but the five-cylinder turbo petrol was rather thirsty, so most were sold as diesel models. In fact, it’s only with the Kuga plug-in hybrid version in the mk3 model that petrol-powered Ford Kugas really make sense.
Each new model generation or facelift has brought improvements in refinement, engine fuel efficiency and infotainment technology (Ford’s SYNC 3 system in the Ford Kuga mk3 is a world away from the clunky systems in previous models), but every Kuga is an impressive and capable family car.
In particular, the way the Ford manages to combine family car practicality, affordability and a fun driving experience is something none of its rivals can really manage quite so effectively.
Ford Kuga Generations
Ford Kuga mk3 (2020-)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door SUV
Notable features:
- Larger than its predecessor, but 90kg lighter
- Very well specced; even entry-level Zetec models get wireless phone charging and automatic emergency braking as standard
- Choice of mild-hybrid, self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid technology
Kugas have always been fun to drive, and the third-generation model continues that theme, with a range of EcoBlue diesel engines and EcoBoost petrol engines and – for the first time – a variety of hybrid powertrains.
The headline act is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV). This combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver 222bhp and theoretical 200mpg fuel economy. It’s also capable of electric-only zero-emissions driving, with a range of up to 36 miles.
The PHEV is joined in the range by what Ford calls the FHEV, or ‘full hybrid-electric vehicle’ sometimes known as a self-charging hybrid. This can’t roll around on electric-only power for an extended period, and only has official fuel economy of 51 mpg. Both hybrid operate through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic gearbox.
Thanks to a larger body, there's more boot space, too, with up to 526 litres when you slide the rear seats forward. This does impinge on rear legroom, but you can find a happy medium within the travel of the seats.
Initially, there were five trim levels to choose from, starting with Zetec, then Titanium, ST-Line Edition and ST-Line X Edition, with Vignale models capping off the range.
The ST-Line pair offer the sportiest looks – with beefy 19-inch alloy wheels in the case of the ST Line X Edition – and stiffer suspension. The top spec Vignale gets the most toys, including a heated steering wheel and plush Windsor leather seats.
Even the basic Zetec models are well specified, with cruise control, automatic headlights and keyless start, as well as integrated satnav and a heated windscreen. Titanium models and above get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in place of a traditional speedo and revcounter, while all models also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.
2024 saw an extensive mid-life facelift of the Kuga. Not only did the looks change dramatically, but the facelift also saw the introduction of the much better and more sophisticated SYNC 4 infotainment system with its huge 13.0-inch touchscreen replacing the 8.0-inch one.
From this point on, trim levels included Titanium, Active, ST-Line and ST-Line X. The Titanium edition looks good with alloy wheels, LED lighting and silver roof rails, while there’s also keyless entry, cruise control, and park assist in the form of front- and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.
Active adds a jacked up suspension and more off-roader-ish looks, along with a hands-free power tailgate and power adjustment for the driver’s seat and front passenger seat. Era driver assistance come in the form of a 360-degree camera, blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control.
ST-Line trim gets sportier styling, sports suspension and posher upholstery, while ST-Line X gets a powered panoramic roof and heated front- and rear seats.
Ford Kuga mk3 Review
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Ford Kuga mk2 (2013-2020)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door SUV
Notable features:
- Mk1's five-cylinder petrol engine replaced by less powerful but more efficient units
- Facelift in 2016 kept Kuga fresh despite competition from newer rivals
- Luxury-spec Ford Kuga Vignale model was plush but didn't sell well
The second-generation Ford Kuga was a long-lived model, but still proved popular even after eight years on sale. As a result, there are plenty of used Ford Kugas to choose from on the secondhand market.
Inside, all mk2 Kugas feel robust and durable, albeit not as upmarket as something like a Volkswagen Tiguan. Earlier models have quite a cluttered dashboard design.
If you like your gadgets, post-facelift models from 2016 onwards are a better choice than earlier cars, as these get Ford’s 8.0-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment system, with inbuilt satnav. Mind you, even later base-model Zetec cars only get a weedy 4.2-inch non-touchscreen system. There’s still voice control, and a digital radio even in post-facelift Zetec cars, though.
The Ford Kuga mk2 improved on the interior space of the mk1, with 456 litres of luggage capacity (46 more than in the earlier car), rising to 1,653 litres with the rear seats folded flat.
Initially, the Ford Kuga mk2 was available in Zetec, Titanium, and Titanium X trims, while Titanium X Sport was added in 2014. The 2016 facelift brought the sporty Ford Kuga ST-Line trim and a luxurious Vignale model.
Engine choices included 148bhp and 178bhp EcoBoost petrol engines (initially 1.6 litres, but later 1.5 litres), plus TDCi turbodiesels with either 118bhp, 138bhp, 148bhp, 161bhp or 178bhp.
Ford Kuga mk2 Review
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Ford Kuga mk1 (2008-2013)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door SUV
Notable features:
- Powershift automatic transmission can be fragile; ensure it's serviced every three years
- 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine taken from the Focus ST hot hatch
- More economical two-wheel drive option offered on lower-powered diesel models
In the 2020s, pretty much every single mainstream manufacturer offers at least one family SUV focused more on day-to-day practicality than off-roading prowess. But back in 2008, when the new Ford Kuga mk1 was first launched, this was still a fairly novel idea; that you could get a version that was only two-wheel drive was very unusual.
Interior quality in the new car was reasonably impressive, although the masses of shiny silver plastic – a design trait shared with the Ford Mondeo of the same era – wasn’t to everyone’s taste. Three trim levels were available – Zetec, Titanium, and later a range-topping Titanium X – though features like a DAB digital radio, panoramic roof and rear-view camera were all only optional extras. The 410-litre boot was reasonable but not enormous.
As it was based on the contemporary Ford Focus, the Kuga was fun to drive, and felt quite agile despite its tall-sided body, not something every SUV rival could achieve.
Power initially came from a 2.0-litre TDCi turbodiesel with 134bhp, with a 197bhp five-cylinder turbo petrol joining the range by the end of the year, available with a six-speed manual gearbox or a traditional five-speed automatic. December 2008 also saw the introduction of a two-wheel-drive option. This was ideal for those who want the high driving position and looks of an SUV but who didn’t intend to use the car in low-grip off-road situations. It also offered better economy thanks to less weight and less drivetrain friction.
An update in summer 2010 brought a slight power increase to 138bhp for the 2.0-litre Duratorq turbodiesel, along with the option of a new 161bhp version. There was also now an automatic option for the diesel Kugas, a six-speed twin-clutch gearbox called ‘Powershift’.
Ford Kuga mk1 Review
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