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Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost 150 Vignale 5dr Review

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The 148bhp Ecoboost 150’s 148bhp drops the 0-62mph time down to a reasonable 9.7sec, so expect it to cope with fast flowing roads and heavy loads than its smaller sibling. Only available with a six-speed manual gearbox and it has a towing capacity of 1800kg. CO2 emissions are on the low side for the class, although beaten by the Citroën C5 Aircross.


1.5 EcoBoost 150

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

KUGA

The luxury-themed, top-spec Vignale is lavishly equipped, with a head-up display, 19in alloy wheels, heated steering wheel, hands-free boot opening, active noise cancellation, a 12.3in digital instrument display and automatic parking assistance. There are also electrically adjustable and heated front seats, trimmed in full leather that extends to the dashboard. It's very pricey, though, compared to other large SUVs that have more to offer.


Vignale

1.5 EcoBoost 150 Vignale 5dr

15-ecoboost-150-vignale-5dr

Power front/rear windows with global close

Power folding heated door mirrors with puddle lights

10 way power adjustable drivers seat with memory function

Lane keeping aid with lane departure warning

Airbags - front driver/passenger, front and rear curtain

Electronic stability control (ESC) and ABS

8 way manual passenger seat including lumbar support and height adjust

Technology pack - Kuga with LED headlights

Driver assistance pack - Kuga with front camera system

Ford Kuga

The Kuga is a decent large SUV in any guise, but it makes real sense if you opt for the hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models. Shortcomings include the iffy interior quality and the relatively small boot.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement. A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

The Mazda CX-5 is firmly road-focused, but its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, making it looks good value for less than&nbsp;£25k. If you can stretch the budget a fair bit, the Audi Q5 provides a combination of comfort, driving prowess, quality and space that's hard to beat. Unlike some rivals, it can't be had with seven seats, though.

A more affordable, yet well-equipped alternative is the Peugeot 5008. It’s more than capable of coping with family life&nbsp;– and all versions have seven seats as standard.&nbsp;

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Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost 150 Vignale 5dr Review

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