The Ford Kuga is built on an extended Focus floorpan, which is a good start in life for any vehicle, as the Focus has been much praised for its excellent ride and handling. Most people I met, commented very favourably on its looks and exterior styling and these very favourable impressions were in no way diminished when I showed them the interior. Ford have obviously got a winner on their hands with the Kuga. While it stands some four inches higher than its C-Max sister and six inches higher than a Focus hatchback, it is no so high as to make it difficult to enter and leave. Once inside you sit up comfortably above the traffic with an excellent view of the road ahead and the scenery all around you. This, I am sure, is one of the reasons for the increasing popularity of these Sports Utility Vehicles.
In the Titanium specification model as tested, both driver and front passenger have superbly comfortable, well bolstered seats, so you can sit back and enjoy the experience to the full. From a driving point of view the controls are well laid out and easy to see, with certain exceptions. The controls mounted on the steering column, under the steering wheel are not easy to see and you have to get to know their positions and operations by heart.

The audio system occupies a prominent position in the centre console, with all its controls easy to see and operate. The air-conditioning unit immediately below is likewise easy to see and operate. It offers a dual range system, so driver and front passenger can each select their own preferred settings. The driver’s seat offers a full range of adjustments; reach, height, lumbar, backrest angle and together with the reach and height adjustable steering wheel, insures that drivers of all shapes and sizes, should be able to find a comfortable position. The superb quality and feel of the leather covered steering wheel, just adds to the overall driving pleasure. Between the two front seats there is a central armrest, with a deep, spacious storage box located below the padded lid.

Passengers in the rear seat are equally well looked after. As always the rear bench seat is better suited to the transport of two adults, rather than three, as the centre section is hard and less absorbing. It holds a folding centre armrest, that opens out to provide two cupholders, as well as a covered, shallow storage box. In addition the two outer places also have folding picnic tables attached to the backs of the two front seats. While a child could be carried in the centre section they may not like the reduced comfort of the harder seat and backrest and that position has no ISOfix fittings. This can be a potential problem in the light of current EU regulations.

Power is provided by a 2.0 litre, turbocharged, intercooled, direct injection, diesel engine. It is commendably smooth and quiet throughout its speed range. It drives all four wheels through a six speed manual gearbox. The gearchange itself is smooth and positive, but changing gears can become an increasing annoyance. The difficulty arises from the fact that the higher ratios are very highly geared in the interests of fuel economy and low emissions. Thus you can be cruising along smoothly and comfortably in sixth gear when the traffic ahead slows down slightly. You are still moving at an appreciable speed, so it does not occur to you to change down and then as you try to accelerate again the engine stalls or shudders alarmingly, as its speed has dropped below its normal idle speed. This happens in fifth gear as well, so you are constantly having to change up and down, which becomes extremely tiring and anything but relaxing.
The ride and roadholding are very good and the Kuga handles easily, thanks to its excellent all round visibility and its effortless power assisted steering. The power steering uses an electric/hydraulic combination to give a sporty 2.75 turns from lock to lock of the superb, leather covered, 370 mm diameter steering wheel. Relaxed driving demands an excellent braking system, so that the driver knows, that the necessary stopping power is always available. The Kuga comes with anti-lock, electronic brake force distribution and emergency brake assist as standard. The system also includes an electronic stability programme incorporating traction control.
On the open road, where conditions and the law allows, the Kuga has a potential top speed of 180 kph (111 mph). Unfortunately you get very little opportunity to experience this aspect of its performance. You can, however, regularly enjoy its 0-100 kph acceleration time of 10.7 seconds. Perhaps you may be more interested in its fuel consumption which is 34 mpg (8.1 lt/100 km) on the urban cycle, 52 mpg (5.4 lt/100 km) on the extra urban, giving an overall average of 44 mpg (6.4 lt/100 km) on the combined cycle. At today’s fuel prices that should bring a smile to your face.

When you decide to leave the highway, such as it is, and take to country tracks, you need to know that the Kuga has an approach angle of 21 degrees, departure angle of 25 degrees, breakover angle of 14 degrees and a loaded ground clearance of 157 mm. Unloaded this is closer to 180 mm. Maximum wading depth is 450 mm, but do be sure of both the depth and the conditions under the water before you go splashing in. If it is soft you could sink in even further, while if it is littered with rocks or other obstructions, it could present a whole lot of other problems. The cardinal rule in these situations is to NEVER venture in alone, ALWAYS have another fully equipped vehicle standing by to assist you if you encounter difficulties.

SUVs are not really designed for serious off-road driving. Their all wheel drive is intended first of all to give a greater margin of safety in difficult on-road conditions, like ice, snow, flooding and normal wet/dry driving conditions. They also facilitate the towing of trailers and caravans, which enables their owners to enjoy a much more active and exciting lifestyle.
Talking of an active lifestyle, the Kuga will tow braked trailers of up to 2100 kg in weight, or unbraked trailers of up to 750 kg. If you need to carry extra luggage or equipment, it will tolerate up to 75 kg in a suitable container on the roof. Normal luggage space, with all seats in use is 0.360 cubic metres, loading up to the lower side of the tonneau cover. Naturally it is more if you load to roof level. When only the two front seats are in use you have 1.355 cubic metres when loading to the roof. As the rear seat is split 60/40 you have a variety of passenger and luggage space combinations, between those two figures. One of the Kuga’s interesting features is the divided tailgate which can be opened fully, hatchback style, or just the window and its surround can be opened.

Above left : Normal luggage space
Above right : Maximum luggage space

The question you seriously have to ask yourself is, “Do you really need a Kuga ?” Four years ago I tested the C-Max, also fitted with this 2.0 litre, turbo diesel engine, in exactly the same level of tune. It had a potential top speed of 200 kph (124 mph) with 0-100 kph in 9.6 seconds. So as far as velocity was concerned, it was superior to the Kuga. Its Urban, Extra urban and Combined cycle fuel consumption figures were also superior to those achieved by the Kuga. Its lower fuel consumption results in a lower exhaust emission of 148 gm/km compared to the Kuga’s 169 gm/km. Not having all wheel drive, it has a lower overall weight. While its braked towing ability is considerably less, 1500 kg vs 2100 kg, its normal and maximum luggage space is greater at 0.460 cu.m and 1.629 cu.m respectively. Both really only offer a maximum of five seats. Then the final crunch point comes : The Kuga in Titanium specification, as tested, costs Euro 38,995 - the C-Max in Titanium specification costs just Euro 29,080 ! Finally at present rates, the annual road tax on the Kuga is Euro 430, yet on the C-Max it is Euro 290 ! It is your money and only YOU can decide, but do think carefully before making your decision. Maybe the Kuga is a much more trendy fashion icon, whereas you may consider the C-Max to be a dull people carrier, but I can assure you it is anything but dull from a driving point of view. If you want to read that C-Max road test for yourself, click on the MPV box under the road test heading and then scroll down to near the bottom of the list where you will find the C-Max. Then just click onto its name. It is run together with a test of the 1.8 petrol version, so be sure to compare the diesel C-Max, with this report on the Kuga.

Technical data