Costs & verdict
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
Costs, insurance groups, MPG and CO2
For cash buyers, the 1.5 Ecoboost 150 petrol Ford Kuga is competitively priced against many large SUV rivals, such as the Peugeot 5008, but doesn’t offer the same value for money as the Citroën C5 Aircross. The PHEV model is competitively priced against the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage PHEVs, while the FHEV will undercut the Toyota RAV4. If you want a cheaper FHEV, the Honda CR-V is available with a lower spec than the Kuga. The Kuga is also cheaper than many rivals on a monthly PCP deal. Don't forget to use our free What Car? New Car Deals pages for the best prices available.
Company car benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax for hybrid vehicles is based on official CO2 emissions and electric-only driving range. The Kuga PHEV is good enough on both to compete with the Tucson, making it a strong choice. Petrol Kugas will be liable for steeper company car tax bills, although their CO2 emissions are slightly lower than the Mazda CX-5.
Equipment, options and extras
The Kuga's entry-level Zetec trim comes with a long list of standard kit, including a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, cruise control, 17in alloy wheels, privacy glass, power-folding door mirrors and a heated windscreen. It's a good choice if you're looking to keep costs down.
You get a few more luxuries with Titanium Edition trim. It adds 18in alloys, the 12.3in driver display, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, part-leather seats and automatic wipers. It's our pick of the range if you go for the petrol engine, but if you want the FHEV or PHEV version, you’ll have to step up to ST-Line trim. You can tell this version apart mainly by its sporty styling additions and stiffer suspension.