Drive with us: Ford Kuga Review

Join us as we take a closer look at the Ford Kuga, the practical family SUV with a sporty side that most rivals can't match

Welcome to one of Britain's most popular family SUVs — the Ford Kuga. 

And it's easy to see why it's such a fan favourite.

Spacious, practical and genuinely fun to drive, the Kuga manages something most family SUVs don't: It puts a smile on your face behind the wheel. 

It competes with the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan and Nissan Qashqai, and makes a compelling case against all of them.

We drove the ST-Line X PHEV, the range-topping ST-Line spec with the plug-in hybrid powertrain. That’s a 2.5-litre 225PS petrol engine paired with a 14.4kWh battery, offering a claimed 43 miles of electric range (WLTP Comb). 

Ideal for company car drivers, with one of the lowest BiK rates in the class.

Since we drove it, the Kuga has been updated with a refreshed exterior, a new 13-inch touchscreen and revised trim levels. It's still very much worth considering.

But is it still one of the best family SUVs you can buy? Or have the rivals finally caught up? Let's find out.

What we drove:

Model: Ford Kuga ST-Line X PHEV CVT

Fuel type: Plug-in Hybrid

Engine: 2.5-litre 225PS PHEV

Battery: 14.4kWh

Transmission: CVT Automatic

Electric range: 43 miles (WLTP Comb)

Colour: Black

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

More than just a family hauler

This family SUV has a strong, imposing front end. The large grille with a prominent Ford badge and sweeping headlights that mean you'd never mistake it for anything else on the school run.

It may not be the most dramatic SUV in its class. But for a family SUV? It does the job, and it does it very well. 

The ST-Line X adds sporty bodywork, red brake calipers and a large rear spoiler, while black roof rails give it a premium edge that lifts the overall look considerably.

Head to the rear and the Kuga is wide and imposing, rather than elegant. 

Twin exhausts finish things off with a sporty touch that serves as a reminder that this isn't just a sensible family hauler. Who said family cars can't be fun?

From the side, the Kuga draws comparisons to the Porsche Macan and Volvo XC40, which is high praise for a Ford. Strong creases run the length of the body giving it an angular, purposeful stance that suits it well.

The updated model sharpened things up further with a refreshed front end, while the Active trim adds chunky body cladding for those who want a more rugged, adventurous look.

Practical, purposeful, premium-ish

Step inside and the Kuga's high driving position immediately impresses. It’s lofty, commanding and exactly what you want from a family SUV.

The 12.3-inch digital driver's display is crisp, clear and customisable, and the new 13-inch touchscreen is sharp and responsive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, and wireless charging is included across the range too, a genuinely welcome addition at this price point.

The facelift moved climate controls into the touchscreen, ditching the previous model's physical dials. 

It looks cleaner, but using it on the move is more distracting than it should be. A step backwards that quite a few rivals haven't made.

The cabin is neatly laid out with a good amount of physical buttons elsewhere, and storage is generous throughout — wireless charging pad, USB ports front and rear, cupholders, a deep armrest bin and door bins that, while a little sectioned off, do the job. 

The driving mode selector sits low in the centre console and takes a few attempts to locate without glancing down, but you get used to it quickly enough. 

Some scratchy plastics lower down let it down slightly at this price point. Both the Hyundai Tucson and Peugeot 3008 both feel more premium inside.

In the back, the sliding rear bench is a genuine winner. 

Push it forward and boot space increases, pull it back and rear passengers get more legroom; a simple but clever feature that many rivals still don't offer. 

Three adults can manage across the rear, and ISOFIX points are easy to access, no fiddling around required.

Boot space comes in at 475 litres with the seats up. That's competitive, but not class-leading, with the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai both offering more. 

Slide the rear bench forward and that increases to 553 litres. Fold the seats down entirely and you're looking at around 1,500 litres of space. That’s more than enough for a family holiday's worth of luggage. 

There's no load lip to contend with either, making loading and unloading considerably easier. 

It’s worth noting that the PHEV variant loses a little boot space to accommodate the battery.

One genuinely clever detail we loved, especially for family life: Pop-out door edge protectors on every door. Meaning that if the kids swing the door open, the door won't scratch any car parked next to you.

A small thing, but with kids, or even just small parking spaces, this is a game changing feature.

More fun than it has any right to be

Put your foot down and the Ford Kuga is genuinely fun to drive.

For a big, practical family SUV, it handles corners with a composure and confidence that most rivals simply can't match. 

Minimal body lean, quick and eager steering with genuine feel and feedback; the Kuga is in its element on a country lane. It's the kind of driving experience that makes you forget you're in a family car.

The PHEV powertrain delivers 225PS and gets from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds — more than enough punch for everyday driving and effortless motorway overtakes. 

In pure electric mode it moves almost silently, and the CVT gearbox works smoothly throughout without ever drawing attention to itself.

The ride does have its limits though. 

The ST-Line X's firmer suspension keeps body lean in check through corners but can feel a little bumpy around town. Potholes and rough surfaces produce more of a thud than you'd ideally want at this price point. 

It's far from being unbearable, and it settles down beautifully at motorway speeds where wind and road noise are impressively well suppressed. But if outright comfort is the priority, the Peugeot 3008 and Volkswagen Tiguan are softer, more cosseting choices.

The brakes can feel slightly snatchy at lower speeds too. It’s something to be aware of initially, though you do adapt to it quickly.

Get it onto an open road though, and the Kuga reminds you exactly why it's one of the best driving family SUVs on the market.

Electric where it counts

The PHEV powertrain is how the Kuga stays ahead of its competitors.

With a claimed electric range of 43 miles (WLTP Comb) from the 14.4kWh battery, the Kuga PHEV covers the vast majority of daily commutes without touching a drop of petrol. 

Zero tailpipe emissions in electric mode means it sails through low emission zones, and the Benefit in Kind (BiK) rate is significantly lower than either combustion engine variants — a meaningful saving over a typical lease term.

Charging is straightforward. Via a 7kW home wallbox, the battery goes from empty to full in around 3.5 hours. Simply plug it in when you get home and it's ready to go by morning. A three-pin domestic plug will do the job too, though it'll take around six hours.

If the PHEV isn't for you, the full hybrid is the next best choice for efficiency. 

It self-charges via regenerative braking, no plugging in required, and returns around 52.3mpg in real world mixed driving. 

Even on a flat battery, Ford claims around 50mpg at motorway speeds, which is genuinely impressive for a car of this size.

The entry-level 1.5-litre petrol returns around 44mpg. Respectable, though the hybrid variants make a stronger case for anyone covering regular miles.

What's good, and what's not

The Ford Kuga makes a great family hauler, but it still has its flaws:

The good bits:

• Genuinely fun to drive — one of the most enjoyable family SUVs in its class
• Sliding rear bench — a genuine USP that many rivals still don't offer
• Wireless charging as standard across the range
• Pop-out door edge protectors — a small but genuinely clever detail
• No load lip on the boot — easy to slide heavy items in and out

The not-so-good bits:

• Climate controls now integrated into touchscreen — frustrating on the move
• Some scratchy plastics lower down — Hyundai Tucson and Peugeot 3008 feel more premium inside
• Brakes can feel snatchy at lower speeds
• PHEV variant loses some boot space to accommodate the battery

What's the verdict?

The Ford Kuga is a genuinely impressive family SUV that delivers where it matters most, and then some. 

It's spacious, practical and well-equipped, but what really sets it apart is the drive. 

In a class full of increasingly competent (but increasingly dull) SUVs, the Kuga reminds you that family motoring doesn't have to mean giving up on enjoyment.

The PHEV is the one to go for. 

43 miles of electric range (WLTP Comb) covers most daily commutes without touching petrol, the BiK rate is among the lowest in its class, and 225PS means it never feels underpowered. 

It's not perfect. The touchscreen climate controls are a frustration, the ride around town is busier than some rivals and the interior plastics disappoint at this price point. 

But as an overall package? The Kuga makes a strong case.

Top five reasons to lease the Ford Kuga:

1. One of the most fun family SUVs to drive — genuinely enjoyable on country roads
2. PHEV offers 43 miles of electric range (WLTP Comb) and a low BiK rate — ideal for company car drivers
3. Sliding rear bench adds real-world practicality that many rivals still don't offer
4. Well equipped at ST-Line X level — panoramic roof, heated seats and 360-degree camera as standard
5. Five-star Euro NCAP rating for total peace of mind

Would we recommend leasing a Ford Kuga?

Absolutely. 

The Ford Kuga is ideal for families who want a practical, spacious SUV that doesn't feel like a compromise behind the wheel. 

The PHEV is the standout choice. Lower running costs, reduced tax bills and enough electric range to make a real difference day to day.