Making the switch to an electrified future
Full or plug-in hybrids bring plenty of choice to family SUV, writes Matt Allan
Diesel engines were once the bread and butter of the SUV segment.
Even five years ago, if you wanted a big high-riding machine for transporting lots of people and stuff you’d most likely end up with a 2.0-litre oil-burner under the bonnet.
Timeshavemovedon,however, and brands are increasinglyditchingDERV,withFord among them.
It recently discontinued diesel versions of the Kuga and has thrown all its weight into hybrid motors.
There’s still a 1.5-litre straight petrol model but the Kuga also comes with a 2.5-litrepetrolinfull“self-charging” or plug-in hybrid guise. The full hybrid offers 187bhp and claimed economy of around 49mpg while the PHEV has 222bhp and features the usualridiculous200mpg+claims.
Silly official figures aside, the plug-in variant is one of the firstPHEVstoproperlyimpress me with its performance. Over several hundred miles on a varietyofroadstheKugareturned animpressive70mpgthanksto regular overnight charging.
The full hybrid will never match the economy of the plug-in if it’s used properly but still returns mid-40s easily and can be coaxed north of 50mpg without too much effort. It’s also around £1,000 cheaper.
In either arrangement and either of the two trims I recently tested, the Kuga’s ride remains problematic, with a brittleness that rivals like the Nissan Qashqai and Honda CR-V have largely eliminated. The Vignale’s softer suspension is offset by bigger wheels so there’s not a huge difference in ride quality between it and the ST-Line Edition. For a truly decent ride you’ll need to step down to a Titanium spec car with smaller wheels. Of course, in typical Ford fashion, it handles better than most other rivals, cornering neatly and masking its size well.
Whether on-road dynamism is more important than comfort is a personal choice but, either way, the Kuga has the practical side of things covered.
There are more interesting and stylish interiors but the Ford’s solid simplicity is a welcome approach and easy to simply get in and drive. It’s also practical and spacious, with decent legroom and space in the back for three passengers. The boot ranges from 412 to 526 litres depending on how you position the sliding and
reclining rear seats.
Vignale is well established as the top Ford trim level, offering all the luxury goodies you could want. Fittingly, it’s also the most expensive, although only by around £1,300. Given how well equipped the ST-Line Edition (pictured here) is, the choice really comes down to whether you prefer the sportier looks of the ST-Line or the quilted leather of the Vignale.
Bothcomewithfullself-dipping LED headlights, a power tailgate,keylessentry,12.3-inch digital instruments, dual zone climate and an eight-inch touchscreen. The Vignale adds activenoisecancellation,heated rear seats, wireless phone charging, leather and a unique exterior styling kit.
Regardless of the trim level, the Kuga remains a major force in the SUV segment. The compromised comfort aside, it’s spacious, practical and well equipped and, particularly in PHEV form, impressively frugal.