1:29pm Friday 20th November 2009
By Steve Nelson
IT is no secret why Ford’s first crossover vehicle in Europe handles so well.
Based on the company’s C-car chassis, so well proven in the Focus and C-Max, the Kuga has those same driving dynamics that we have come to love in its smaller siblings.
Given that the Kuga is unlikely to be taken across harsh environments, Ford biased the Kuga for on-road driving dynamics, while also offering off-road abilities.
The intention was to create a vehicle that would “satisfy keen drivers”, and it’s not far off the mark.
Immediately, the driver feels at ease with the controls layout that is the trademark of Ford’s cars.
More than just a Focus on stilts, the Kuga offered a combination of attractive styling inside and out, but it’s the car’s performance that has surprised the most. For a compact SUV, it is impressively agile.
Of course, the standard fit four-wheel drive is a real bonus. Grip, stability and the ability to tackle rough terrain are all what makes an SUV like the Kuga special. Well, it would be if the vast majority of owners actually went off road in their 4x4s. With most bought as over-sized hatchbacks, it’s rare for any to get their wheels dirty.
Which is why there is an increasing number of car makers making front-wheel drive SUVs. On paper it sounds like the mother and father of all contradictions – why would you opt for such a car?
The reality is easier to understand; the extra ride height and lofty driving position, the perception that you feel safer in a bigger car and the chunky looks have proven to be popular attributes of the SUV genre. Not so popular is added fuel consumption and the emissions penalty associated with a complex 4x4.
Ford and others have woken up to this, and the arrival of these ‘faux’ off-roaders have been warmly welcomed by the buying public. You get the best of both worlds: practical bodystyle and sensible running costs.
In the case of the Kuga, the sole 2.0 TDCi diesel variant boasts an impressive 46.5mpg on the combined cycle. Factor in a perfectly acceptable 159g/km CO2 for something of this size, and it’s even more attractive.
Anyone seeking the full experience will buy a regular Kuga and do what 4x4 owners do – tow stuff, climb stuff – while the rest of us can save some money without any hint of a compromise.
So exactly how good is this “lesser” Kuga in the real world? What sets it apart from its many rivals is the ability to tackle bends with the same enthusiasm and competence as a regular car. Neither is there the feeling that this particular Kuga would struggle in foul weather. The car’s TDCi diesel engine is a familiar one in the Ford family, and acquits itself well to the task in hand. Good levels of low down torque and a willingness to rev ensure smooth, effortless progress.
And if that isn’t enough, the Kuga’s cabin is plush and durable in equal measure, making it ideal not just for family duties but also presentable enough to be used for business activities. Factor in a generous level of standard equipment plus a wide choice of attractive options and it’s easy to see the car’s broad appeal.
Competing against some established rivals such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav 4, the Kuga is a match for anything in its class when comparing practicality, handling, value and driving characteristics.
Available with a 2.0-litre TDCi engine – tested here – or 2.5-litre turbo petrol unit, the Kuga is a most capable cruiser, employing excellent suspension to iron out the bumps.
Of course a vehicle like this not only has to look and feel good but also have practicality, and here the Kuga scores highly again. There is room for five adults, a 60/40 split in the second row seating, fold–flat seats that create 1,355 litres of luggage space, lots of storage areas and a split tailgate that allows you to open either all or part of it by simple selection of one of two buttons at the back.
At the front, Kuga adopts the new face of Ford, with upper and lower trapezoid grilles and swept back headlights, while the bulging bonnet features a couple of ridges.
It also employs the Easyfuel capless refuelling system first launched on the new Mondeo that prevents vehicle misfuelling.
The use of plastic front wings not only reduces the overall weight but also provides a greater resistance to dents and earns the Kuga a lower insurance rating.
The Zetec specification offers as standard a trip computer, a leather steering wheel, fog lamps, manual air conditioning, powered front windows, powered heated and painted door mirrors, electronic stability and traction aids and twin exhausts. Ford offers an Appearance Pack at £550 that adds 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminium finish roof rails and privacy glass. You can also buy a Convenience Pack (£750), which provides parking sensors, power folding door mirrors and cruise control.
That’s a pretty impressive list, but for premium levels of quality you will need to step up to the Titanium series, which adds partial leather upholstery, leather-trimmed gear shift knob, cruise control, auto wipers, auto lights, auto dimming rear view mirror, two-zone automatic temperature control, blue-tinted glass and 17-inch alloy wheels.
With its eye-catching design, low running costs, impressive green credentials and handling characteristics, the Kuga is creating another Ford success story.
Model: 2.0 TDCi Zetec.
Price: £21,045.
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel unit developing 136bhp Transmission: Six-speed manual transmission, driving the front wheels.
Performance: Maximum speed 113mph, 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds.
Economy: 46.5mpg combined.
CO2 Rating: 159g/km.
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