Ford Kuga Crossover full 9 point review
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Performance
The smooth and punchy 2.0-litre diesel engine is the best option, and the one most buyers will choose. It's well-geared, 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 short of feel and 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, we think the 2WD models are better to drive overall, as they feel lighter and more agile.
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Refinement
Both diesel and petrol 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, and running costs are low: it averages 44.1mpg, and sits four company car tax bands below the equivalent Tiguan thanks to its lower CO2 emissions. 2WD models are better in both respects, although short service intervals push up the costs. The 2.5 petrol's thirsty, delivering just 27.4mpg with the auto gearbox, and high-tax CO2 emissions of 244g/km of carbon dioxide (234g/km in manual form).
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Quality & Reliability
If you've ever sat in a 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 seem to be aimed more at durability. The mechanicals are all proven and shouldn't give trouble.
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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
The range of adjustment and standard switchgear layout are hard to fault, but the touchscreen sat-nav system makes things overly complicated. Steeply angled windscreen pillars can block your view at junctions. The auto gearbox that's optional with the 2.5 petrol has a counterintuitive push-pull sequential-shift function, but is quick-acting in fully auto mode.
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Space & Practicality
Although the driver is 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 than a Focus's. However, the split rear seats fold flat, and the Kuga has a tailgate with a separately opening rear screen that makes it easy to load shopping bags.
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Equipment
Ford offers just two trims, with cheaper Zetec cars getting alloy wheels, air-conditioning, keyless start, a socket for an MP3 player and bright blue or orange cabin garnishes. The more restrained (and more expensive) Titanium adds automatic lights and wipers, tinted glass, part-leather trim, cruise control and dual-zone climate control.
Ford Kuga Crossover 2.0 TDCi 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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