Geneva motor show 2012: Top 10 cars - Ford Kuga

The new Kuga is another massive launch for Ford, as it tries to further integrate its European and American product lines. So, if you Google the ‘new Ford Escape’, as revealed at the Detroit show back in January, you’ll find something very similar to the car unveiled in Geneva.

That’s not necessarily a good thing. Ford’ cabins and dashboards seem to work well across both continents, but the exterior styling is another matter – and there’s no doubt, in that respect, the Kuga is a much more American vehicle than the car it is to replace.

The Kuga will launch with a choice of 2.0-litre diesels or a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol. However, we’d be surprised if smaller engines and even an all-electric version don’t turn up before long.

There are useful gains in practicality, with bootspace up by more than 80 litres and a more spacious cabin. It’s just a question of whether European buyers are willing to accept the US-centric styling. Ford is banking on it.

It will go on sale next year, with prices starting from around £23,000.

Bentley EXP 9 F
Audi A3
Renault Zoe
Seat Toledo
Nissan Invitation
Mercedes A-Class
Fiat 500L
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Volvo V40

John McIlroy

See also: All Geneva motor show 2012 news