THE CAR IN FACTS
The most established, in the UK market, of Ford’s currentsuvline-upisthe Kuga. Bookended by the dinky Ecosport crossover and the daddy of the line-up the Ford Edge,it’sbeenaroundintheuk since 2012.
A new car was launched in October last year to ensure that this long-established model is nocreakinggrandpaoftheford stable.
Ford say it’s more refined, safer and more technologically advanced than the old car and an equipment list that includes advanced driver assistance packages and Ford’s self-park technology adds credence to this claim.
Our Titanium X test car, which sits parallel to the St-line X second top of the line-up behind the superluxurious Vignale car, is certainlyafarmorepremium-feeling prospect than a similarlyspecced version of the old car I tested a year or two back.
Full Salerno leather interior, 10-way adjustable power seats, power tailgate and dual-zone climate control are among the standard kit in our car and you want for very little – with the exception of a parking camera.
Externally it’s more handsome than before and the new grille brings it into line with the larger Edge model, increasing presence significantly.
Thisisthefirstfordi’vetested featuring the latest Sync 3 infotainment system. In terms of simplicity of use, I felt the Sync 2 system was one of the market-leading systems available I had high hopes, then, for this all-new interface.
Designed to seamlessly connect with the driver’s electronic devices and feel like a natural extension of the modern, connected, world, Sync 3 features improvedvoicecommandsand voicetomapintegration,apple Car Play and Android Auto support.
By pushing a button and saying “I need a coffee,” “I need petrol,” or “I need to park,” you can locate nearby cafés, petrol stations or car parks, and find train stations, airports, and hotels. The improved eightinch touch screen is responsive and the full-colour interface an improvement on the old one.
SYNC 3 also delivers SYNC Applink for customers, enabling voice-activation from the driver’s seat of a range of smartphone apps that include Glympse, Aupeo, Spotify, Myboxman, Hearmeout, Accuweather, and Los 40 Principales.
The456-litrebootissomeway offclass-leadingexamplesfrom the Volkswagen Group, but the Kugafeelsmorespaciousinthe cabin than the outgoing car. Cabinqualityismuchimproved and an all-round robustness compliments the chunky bodywork nicely.
Traction and stability is improved via a new torque vectoring system but, overall, the driving experience feels pretty similar to the older model. That’s no criticism, however. The Kuga has always been one ofthebetterdrivingsuvsonthe market, with handling characteristicsthatbelieitsbulktofeel morecar-likethanyouraverage off-road capable vehicle.
Withanundeniableemphasis ● Price: £34,720 ● Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder ● Power:178bhp ● Torque: 295lb/ft ● Transmission: Six-speed auto ● Top speed: 124mph ● 0-62mph: 10 seconds ● Economy: 54.3 mpg combined ● CO2 emissions:134 g/km on comfort over sportiness, it’s still a pleasurable enough drive outside the city and body roll is minimal for the class.
Our test car was powered by the 178bhp 2.0 TDCI engine which,unchangedfromtheold car, propels the Kuga to 62 in 10 seconds mated to the Powershift auto box.
Over the course of the test we averaged 42 miles per gallon, short of the 54.3 combined figure on the spec sheet, but not overly so in comparison to similar competitors we’ve tested. 134 g/km CO2 means £200 VED.
Sync 3 aside, Ford’s upgrades to the Kuga haven’t broken any new ground, but they have brought an already strong seller bang up to date. Substantialfeeling and well equipped it’s a premium offering from Ford at a competitive price point.