Ford Kuga Crossover full 9 point review
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Performance
There are two 2.0-litre diesel engines to choose from, one with 138bhp and one with 161bhp. Both are smooth, flexible enough to cope with all on-road demands, and useful off-road, too. The turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol is fast, but offers no great advantage over the diesel.
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Ride & Handling
The Kuga has Focus-based suspension, but rides 80mm higher from the ground. It strikes a good balance between comfort and control, but the steering is slow to react to inputs. In 4WD models, power is usually sent to the front wheels only, and four-wheel drive automatically cuts in only when extra traction is needed. However, the 2WD models are better to drive because they feel lighter and more agile.
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Refinement
All the engines are impressively refined, keeping any noise or vibration down to a minimum. However, the Kuga isn't as good at suppressing road or wind noise. The latter is particularly noticeable at motorway speeds, and can wear you down after a while.
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Buying & Owning
The 4WD diesel Kuga is far from cheap, but it's competitive against the Volkswagen Tiguan. With respectable fuel consumption and emissions figures, running costs are comptitive, too. 2WD models are better in both respects, although short service intervals push up the costs. The 2.5 petrol is thirsty and has high emissions, so it'll be costly to run.
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Quality & Reliability
If you've ever sat in an old-shape Ford C-Max, the Kuga's cabin will feel very familiar, because there are only minor detail and trim differences. That means you get solid controls and good-quality materials on the upper dash and door tops. However, the hard plastics used lower down are aimed more at durability. The mechanicals are all proven and shouldn't give trouble - in fact, in the 2011 JD Power survey, the Kuga was the best-performing Ford.
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Safety & Security
Some Kugas offer the reassurance of four-wheel drive, but all have a stability control system that helps to keep you on the road if conditions are tricky. If you do have an accident, there are six airbags, and the steering wheel has been designed to move sideways away from the driver in a high-speed frontal crash. A sophisticated alarm is fitted as well as the mandatory immobiliser.
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Behind The Wheel
Tall drivers may wish the seat went lower and back farther, but the switchgear layout is hard to fault. The optional touch-screen sat-nav system makes things overly complicated, though, and the steeply angled windscreen pillars can block your view at junctions.
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Space & Practicality
Although front-seat occupants are well catered for, rear passengers over six-feet tall will find their knees pressing into the seats in front. Luggage space is equally disappointing - at 360 litres, the boot is smaller even than many small family cars’. However, the split rear seats fold flat, and the Kuga has a tailgate with a separately opening screen that makes it easy to load shopping bags.
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Equipment
Ford offers three trims. The Zetec is our favourite with its alloy wheels, air-con, keyless start, heated windscreen and a socket for an MP3 player. Titanium adds automatic lights and wipers, part-leather trim, cruise control and dual-zone climate control, while Titanium X has full leather, a glass roof, Bluetooth, xenon headlights and heated seats.
Kuga used car reviews
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Ford Kuga Crossover 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec 2WD 5dr
In almost every way, the 2WD Kuga is a better car than the 4WD version. Zetec trim gives you plenty of kit and is the cheapest model to buy, so this is our favourite model in the range.
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