Used Ford Kuga 2008 - 2013 review
Stylish, but fails to deliver on practicality
- Used Ford Kuga 2008-2013
What's the used Ford Kuga like?
The Ford Kuga was launched in 2008, as Ford's answer to cars such as the Nissan Qashqai and VW Tiguan. However, it was also pitched against conventional 4x4s such as the Honda CR-V.
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Pros
- Good looks
- strong diesel engine
- well equipped
Cons
- Cramped inside
- small boot
- lots of wind- and road noise
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The Kuga's swooping roofline impinges on headroom in the back, while rear legroom is also cramped. Disappointingly, the 360-litre boot is smaller than the Focus's, but a useful split-tailgate is included in the generous list of standard equipment.
The Kuga has a comfortable yet controlled ride, and while the steering is light and short on feel, it does make urban driving a lot more hassle-free. However, there's too much road- and wind noise for the Kuga to be considered a good motorway cruiser. Safety is excellent, though, with a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating, as well as side- and curtain airbags.
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Our recommendations
Which used Ford Kuga should I buy?
Most used Kugas come with Ford's smooth and punchy 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, which is happy to trundle along in city traffic, but provides a good turn of speed when required. There's also a 163bhp version that's available with four-wheel-drive only. The 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine is fast, but thirsty, and is rare on the used market.
The petrol engine comes with a switchable four-wheel-drive system, while the diesel comes as either a two- or four-wheel-drive version. However, the car's low ground clearance means it's not intended to be a fully-fledged off-roader. We recommend the more agile front-wheel-drive version, which went on sale towards the end of 2008.
Zetec models come with alloys, air-con, keyless start and MP3 connectivity as standard, while Titanium trim adds automatic lights and wipers, cruise and climate controls, plus a part-leather interior. If you want your Ford Kuga with a full leather interior, look for the rare Titanium X pack. This version also adds a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats and an electrically adjustable driver's seat. Don't pay extra for cars with the optional sat-nav system, because the touchscreen unit is fiddly and awkward to read.
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How reliable is the Ford Kuga ?
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