Used Ford Kuga 2020-present review

Previous generations of the Ford Kuga were popular cars, but didn't particularly set the market on fire or move the game on in any great way.

Ford wanted to change that with this third-generation car, which grew in size, gained a new look and adopted more modern technology, including hybrid (FHEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. It's sold well over the years, with the result being that there are now plenty of good examples to choose from on the used car forecourts.

Engines and performance: Two regular petrol engines are available – the 118bhp 1.5 EcoBoost 120 and 148bhp 1.5 EcoBoost 150. The 1.5 EcoBlue 120 and 2.0 EcoBlue 150 diesels mirror the power outputs of the two petrols, plus there’s a 187bhp EcoBlue 190 diesel.

Then there are the hybrid versions, which combine a a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. In the 2.5 FHEV 190, the system produces 187bhp and delivers 0-62mph in 9.1sec. Meanwhile, the 2.5 PHEV 225 produces an output of 222bhp, while delivering e 0-62mph in 8.6sec. Thanks to a 14.4kWh battery, the PHEV can travel 35 miles on electric-only power.

Looking for an older car? Read our 2008-2013 Ford Kuga and 2013-2020 Ford Kuga used buying guides

Ride and handling: The best ride comes with the softer suspension setup that's fitted to Zetec, Titanium and Vignale trim (ST-Line is a little firm). It can be a little bouncy over the kind of big dips and crests you encounter along some country roads, but otherwise, it's pretty comfortable. The steering is very quick, which makes the Kuga feel eager to turn in to corners, although there is a bit of body lean. There are certainly nimbler family SUVs out there, but, as far as plug-in hybrid SUVs go, the Kuga PHEV is certainly one of the best to drive.

Interior and practicality: Inside, the seat is supportive and there’s plenty of adjustment, including for lumbar support on all trims, as well as generous levels of steering wheel rake and reach movement.

On pre-facelift cars, all models come with an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system. It’s reasonably responsive to prods, but its graphics are quite basic and some processes, such as choosing your favourite DAB radio station, are unnecessarily convoluted. On the plus side, the row of physical climate controls makes adjusting the fan speed or temperature a doddle to do while driving.

On facelift cars, the Kuga features a large 13.2in touchscreen infotainment system. It’s relatively straightforward to use, with a quick response and sharp graphics, much like the systems in the Kia Sportage and VW Tiguan, but the Mazda CX-5 provides a more user-friendly experience thanks to the physical rotary controller interface. Unfortunately, the climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen with the facelift, which was a backwards step for usability.

You'll find more hard, shiny and unappealing plastic inside the Kuga than you will most of its rivals, although there are some soft-touch plastics, such as on the top of the dashboard and above the door armrests.

There's plenty of space up front, and it's generous in the rear, too. As such, a pair of tall adults will have no problem getting comfortable, and even a third, middle-seat occupant will find enough head and leg room, even though the middle seat is slightly raised.

The Kuga's boot is pretty average among family SUVs. We managed to fit just six carry-on cases below the load cover, which is two less than the Sportage and Tucson could manage. Capacity aside, the boot has its strong points. There's no lip at the entrance to cause a nuisance when lifting heavy items in and out, and the boot floor is an unhindered square shape.

Trims and equipment: Zetec is the entry-level trim level. This provides a long list of standard kit, including a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, cruise control, automatic lights, 17in alloy wheels, privacy glass, power-folding door mirrors and a heated windscreen. If you want the plug-in hybrid version, you’ll have to step up to Titanium trim. This adds 18in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, part-leather seats and automatic wipers. ST-Line trim brings mainly sporty styling additions and stiffer suspension, while ST-Line X adds 19in alloys, a panoramic roof and heated front seats. Top-spec Vignale trim adds plenty more luxuries, including a head-up display and heated steering wheel.

Facelift: The Kuga was given a mid-life facelift in 2024, introducing a bolder front-end design with new LED headlights and the Ford badge relocated to a new grille. There were significant tech upgrades inside, too, with the addition of a new 13.2in infotainment system. Elsewhere, the PHEV received a boost in power and a new rugged "Active" trim level was added to the line-up.

"Choosing the right Kuga for you depends on your priorities. If ride comfort is important, go for the Titanium version, but if you prefer a sporty drive, go for ST-Line – it has sport suspension. Personally, I'd go for the former." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

If you're interested in buying a used Ford Kuga or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.

Used prices for the Kuga start from around £8000, which gets you a high-mileage example from 2020, usually with the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel or 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol enigne. For a high-mile FHEV or PHEV, expect to pay upwards of £10,000. A premium of around £2000 is normal for FHEV and PHEV versions.

For an early example with around 60,000 miles on the clock, expect to pay at least £11,000. If you’re considering a 2022 or 2023 model, you should budget from £13,000. Prices for the 2024 facelift models rise to around £20,000, while newer 2025 cars start from approximately £22,000.

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MPG

The 1.5 EcoBoost 150 averages 42.8mpg, the 1.5 EcoBlue 120 diesel 60.1mpg, the 2.0 EcoBlue mHEV 57.6mpg, while the PHEV achieves the remarkable on-paper figure of 201.8mpg.

Charging the PHEV’s batteries takes 3.5 hours from a 7kW home wall-box, or around six hours if you use a three-pin domestic plug. If you keep the battery topped up and do mainly shorter journeys your fuel costs will be negligible, and when its run out and you're left with mainly the petrol engine, you can expect up to 50mpg with careful driving on a mix of roads.

Road tax

Road tax will be at the current standard rate of £195 a year for all versions.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groupings are in line with the Kuga's rivals, ranging from 13 to 19, and are dependent on specification. Servicing costs should be reasonable and Ford has a number of schemes available to help spread the cost of servicing.

Reliability

The Ford Kuga, as reviewed in our annual What Car? Reliability Survey has mixed reliability, with owner feedback revealing varied experiences.

While many praised its overall dependability, common complaints included faulty electrical components such as warning lights, infotainment issues, and keyless entry problems. Diesel models often suffer from diesel particulate filter (DPF) issues, which can be expensive to resolve, alongside reports of premature suspension wear.

Ford’s dealer service received mixed reviews; some owners noted efficient and affordable repairs under warranty, but others faced long waits, unresolved problems, and poor communication.

Discover more about the used Ford Kuga reliability on our dedicated page.

Engine

Our favourite engine for the Ford Kuga is the plug-in hybrid version. It's one of the best plug-in hybrid family SUVs out there, providing a decent electric-only range, good fuel economy, tidy handling, and all for a sensible price. Just make sure you plug it in regularly to make the most of the electric range.

Trim

Mid-level Titanium trim provides the best balance of value and kit. Plus, it comes with non-sports suspension and 18in alloys, which helps improve ride comfort.

Our favourite Ford Kuga: 2.5 Duratec PHEV Titanium

The Mazda CX-5 has plenty of room for five people to travel in comfort, plus it's really refined so there's little wind or road noise to distract you. There's a 2.0-litre petrol version if you need it, but we’d suggest going for the 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel because it's much more flexible. The handling is nice and sharp for such a tall car and the steering is well-weighted to inspire confidence. It should be pleasingly reliable too.

The seven-seat Peugeot 5008 is stylish, practical and good to drive. Those rugged good looks cover an interior that's impressively flexible and will seat seven in reasonable comfort. Plus, there's a range of strong engines to choose from, it's well-equipped in all trims and it rides and handles surprisingly well. All in, it's a great car and really good value too.

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If you're interested in buying a used Ford Kuga or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.