Drive with us: Ford Kuga Review

Should you consider a Ford Kuga lease? 

The latest Ford Kuga is a striking example of a well-thought-out family SUV. It has recently been updated to provide it with a new lease of life (no pun intended). 

With the Kuga, Ford has created an even more attractive family car – both aesthetically and financially, with features that will appeal to a multitude of drivers. Read on to get a full breakdown of the engine options available, as well as what we think of the design, infotainment, and overall practicality of this car. 

Engines 

The engine options are fast and vary depending on which model line you go for. For ease, we’ve summarised as best we can. This list includes petrol and diesel options, hybrid (FHEV), mild-hybrid (MHEV), and plug-in hybrids (PHEV).

1.5 Ecoboost (Petrol) 150PS – 6-Speed Manual

• Available on: Zetec, Titanium, ST-Line, ST-Line X and Vignale

1.5 EcoBlue (Diesel) 120PS – 6-Speed Manual

• Available on: Zetec, Titanium, ST-Line and ST-Line X

1.5 EcoBlue (Diesel) 120PS – 8 Speed Automatic

• Available on: Zetec, Titanium, ST-Line and ST-Line X

2.0 EcoBlue (Diesel) 150PS MHEV – 6-Speed Manual

• Available on: Titanium, ST-Line, ST-Line X and Vignale

2.0 EcoBlue (Diesel) 190PS – 8-Speed Automatic

• Available on: Titanium, ST-Line, ST-Line X and Vignale

2.5 Duratec (electric-petrol) 190PS FHEV

• Available on: ST-Line, ST-Line X and Vignale

2.5 Duratec (electric-petrol) 225PS PHEV

• Available on: ST-Line, ST-Line X and Vignale

Hybrid Technology

Those who choose one of the Hybrid Kuga options will benefit from the improved fuel economy that a hybrid has to offer. Depending on your choice of FHEV, MHEV or PHEV, the fuel consumption and emission levels will vary, as will the method of charging.

Full Hybrid

This self-charging hybrid uses regenerative braking to charge, capturing the energy lost whilst decelerating.

The large battery stores the power to aid fuel economy, but short, low-speed journeys can also be completed on the electric power alone.

Mild-Hybrid

The MHEV Kuga gets a self-charging battery to provide extra engine support and improve fuel economy.

Plug-In Hybrid

Combining a battery-powered electric motor with a petrol engine, the result is a combined output of 225PS. The Kuga Plug-In hybrid has a claimed electric range of 35 miles and CO2 emissions of 32 g/km. Charging times will depend on the charging method, but according to Pod Point can go from empty to full in between 4-7 hours.

Design

Look at the Kuga side-on and it seems to be an amalgamation of the Porsche Macan, Volvo XC40, and BMW X3. Three very good-looking cars no doubt, but certainly not ones we’d expect to be comparing to when we looked at a new Ford model. (No offence intended to Ford).

From the rear, the Kuga is big and boxy, flaring out around the boot around the rectangular lights. Strong creases give the car a back an angular feel while the twin exhausts make the car look sufficiently sporty.

Front on, the Kuga has had a serious upgrade that is no doubt symbiotic to the design of the new Puma. A huge all-encompassing grille takes pride of place, with the fog lights cleverly designed to look like sporty air intakes. The overall impression that this Kuga gives is one of great style and imposing good looks.

While a Porsche front end is plausible, to say the same for inside may be a delusion of grandeur. That being said, this new Kugas interior is REALLY impressive, and the contrast materials and red stitching in this ST-line is reminiscent of that in an AMG Line Mercedes.

Technology

Let’s start with the pros, of which there are many.

All models get a responsive 8-inch touchscreen complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and Fords SYNC 3 system with satellite navigation. They also get wireless phone charging AS STANDARD (we know).

All models get wireless charging, USB ports in the front and back, air con (manual or auto depending on the spec), and the infamous Ford Quickclear heated windshield. 

We could wax lyrical about the amount of tech on this car at base, but you can skip to the full Kuga spec list here rather than listen to us ramble on if you like. 

Go for anything above Zetec and you’re treated to the Kuga’s new 12.3-inch digital driver's display. This is such a step up for Ford and really brings the cabin to another dimension, making the driving experience feel that much more premium. 

In terms of cons, we don't have too many gripes. While the equipment list is generous, the tech itself is probably not class-leading and we’d argue that the digital display in a high-spec Skoda looks better. But overall, we’re impressed.

Space and Practicality

Let’s talk about cabin practicality before we move on to the boot. Overall, the cabin is neatly laid out with a good amount of tactile buttons that mean not everything is controlled via the touchscreen.

The driving mode selector is located low in the centre console, and it takes a few attempts to locate the button without taking your eyes off the road for too long. You do however get used to it after a few goes.

This car had decent armrest storage with a handy tray for coins, keys, or whatever you need to hideaway. The armrest in the back row of seats features a couple of extra cup holders, though the armrest itself sits a bit oddly, almost at a 100-degree angle rather than 90 degrees as you’d expect.

The door bins were also a bit baffling, sectioned off into smaller compartments rather than one nice big usable space.

Certain models get heated seats in the front AND rear, as well as multiple USB ports and easy access ISOFIX points making it a hugely practical space regardless of if it's filled with baby seats or tech-loving adults.

Certain models get heated seats in the front AND rear, as well as multiple USB ports and easy access ISOFIX points making it a hugely practical space regardless of if it's filled with baby seats or tech-loving adults.

The car is nice and comfortable, with a good amount of room for three taller adults in the back. While the leg support offered on the rear wasn’t anything to write home about, the amount of room to stretch your legs out really was decent.

Put those seats down and it opens up the boot into a really practical space for luggage or bigger goods with no distinctive lip between the seats and the boot floor. This total space with the seats down is around 1500 litres.

It’s even got a sliding rear bench like that in the Renault Captur, which adds an extra 100 litres of capacity to the boot when pulled all the way forward.

With the seats up the Kuga, boot space is about 475 litres, which is really decent, though smaller than that of competitors like the Skoda Kodiaq or the VW Tiguan.

It’s also worth noting that the boot in the PHEV version of the Kuga will be smaller to accommodate the batteries.

Model Lines

We’re really impressed with the amount of kit you get as standard with the Kuga, with the entry-level Zetec being impressively well-equipped. Here’s a breakdown of what you get as you move up the model line-up.

Zetec

• 17” Shadow Silver alloy wheels
• LED Day Time Running Lamps & LED rear lights
• Privacy Glass
• Silver roof rails
• Heated and power mirrors
• Rear spoiler
• Twin exhausts
• Quickclear heated windshield
• Keyless Start
• Manual air con
• Sports seats with Ebony cloth trim
• 4.2'' instrument cluster
• Ford SYNC 3 with Navigation, 8" colour touchscreen, App Link, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Mobile phone wireless charging pad
• Rear charging points
• Front & rear parking sensors
• Cruise control with ASL
• Pre-Collision Assist with AEB
• Lane-Keeping Aid with Lane-Departure Warning
• Selectable Drive Modes

Titanium Edition (in addition/replacement to Zetec) 

• 18" machined alloy wheels
• Full LED headlamps & Front LED fog lamps
• Hands-Free Power Tailgate
• Power heated folding mirrors with puddle lights
• Ambient lighting
• Auto headlamps with high/low beam
• Auto wipers
• Dual-zone automatic temperature control
• Partial premium touch Sensico sports seats with ebony cloth inserts
• Full digital 12.3" instrument cluster
• Rear View Camera

ST-Line Edition (in addition/replacement to Titanium) 

• 18" Rock Metallic alloy wheels
• Black roof rails
• ST-Line full body styling kit
• Large rear spoiler
• Red brake calipers
• Dark headliner and pillars
• Flat bottom steering wheel in Sensico with red stitching
• Partial premium touch Sensico sports seats with red stitching
• ST-Line front and rear floor mats
• Alloy pedals

ST-Line X Edition (in addition/replacement to ST-Line) 

• 19” machined finished alloy wheels
• Panorama roof
• Heated rear seats and steering wheel

Vignale (in addition/replacement to Titanium) 

• 19” Liquid Aluminium alloy wheels
• Vignale body styling kit
• Front & rear Vignale fascia
• Vignale rear diffusor
• Exterior mirrors with memory function
• Metallic paint
• Vignale premium touch Sensico steering wheel
• Heated steering wheel
• Vignale front scuff plates
• Vignale leather seat trim including 10-way power driver's seat
• Heated rear seats

Final Verdict

I found myself making a lot of comparisons to a lot of great cars writing this review, which then begged the question of if the Kuga has a strong enough identity of its own? The answer is yes.

While a lot of comparisons can be made, the Kuga neatly carves a place in the market for itself – both in its looks and performance. The Kuga PHEV model we drove performed exceptionally well, and the electric range available is one of the highest claimed on any plug-in hybrid right now.

The kit list is also great, and even at entry-level we think drivers will be impressed with the amount of technology and standard features on offer.

Interested in finding out how much a new Ford Kuga costs? Check out the latest Ford Kuga lease deals available right now.