Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 84%

Ford has pulled out all the stops to ensure it has a range of highly-competitive models to suit most tastes and the Ford Kuga now sees it scrapping for a share of the SUV market.

The Ford Kuga name might hark back to the past and memories of the Ford Cougar but there is nothing old-fashioned about this eye-catching gem of an SUV.

Auto Trader Editor Adrian Higgins got behind the wheel of the Ford Kuga for a week.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

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1. Looks

Ford has produced a compact, stylish SUV which stands up to comparison with more expensive SUVs. The face is familiar as being based on “kinetic design” which informed the look of the latest versions of much of the Ford range including the new Ford Focus and Ford Mondeo, with two four-sided grilles tapering towards each other at the front. The bonnet is sculpted to enhance the bold front while a very high waistband rises to finish above the rear light clusters which sit either side of the neat hatch-style back.

9/10

2. Looks inside

From the moment we stepped into the Ford Kuga it put a smile on our faces. Ford aimed for an “affordable yet premium” finish and during our week-long loan, driver and passengers alike were full of praise for the way in which this has been achieved. The ergonomic steering wheel is good to hold and the information display easy to read. The seating position and that of the gear stick and handbrake all felt very natural while the central stack – with keyless start button located at the top – is simple and stylish. The model we drove featured the panoramic sunroof, an option well-worth considering. The design appears very well thought-out and the good quality tough materials used live up to the expectation this sets.

8/10

3. Practicality

The hatch boot caught our eye. It can be popped to create the full-sized opening or accessed through an area little bigger than the rear windscreen via a tailgate control. We found this a very useful feature, enabling buyers to load up or access luggage even when very little space is available. One neat extra was the addition of a 230v power converter between the front seats – handy for powering up a laptop and other in car entertainment. Storage is well-thought-out and 360 litres of regular luggage space in the boot can be increased to 1,355 in two-seat mode. The Ford Kuga’s off-road capability is delivered by the Haldex intelligent AWD (all wheel drive) system, which only kicks in when required to improve economy.

9/10

4. Ride and Handling

Many SUV manufacturers claim their vehicles handle like cars and the Ford Kuga delivers on exactly this promise. It corners better than you would expect from a good-sized five-seater SUV and goes well beyond the capabilities of a simple people-shifter. But it still meets the SUV requirement of ensuring a comfortable journey for driver and occupants with a good-quality ride and minimal engine and road noise.

8/10

5. Performance

The Ford Kuga is powered by a 136bhp 2-litre TDCi turbo diesel engine which can cover 0-62mph in just over 10.5 seconds and has a maximum speed of 112mph. Power is delivered by a six speed manual gearbox. Both the gearbox and engine come from excellent and proven Ford Focus and are well-suited to the Ford Kuga.

8/10

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6. Running Costs

Ford has kept the SUV running costs down with the 2-litre diesel engine returning an average 44.1mpg and producing CO2 emissions of 169g/km (car tax category E and an annual tax bill of £170 at the time of publication). A petrol model is due to follow.

8/10

7. Reliability

The Ford Kuga is a new model which went on sale in 2008 so only time will tell as regards reliability. However, Ford is in rude health right now with a line-up of excellent quality models, including the Ford Focus which provides the engine and gearbox for the Ford Kuga. Ford currently sits tenth in the Reliability Index for the cheapness and rarity of repairs.

8/10

8. Safety

The Ford Kuga achieved a maximum five star rating following EuroNCAP crash tests. It comes with six airbags and has a host of safety devices designed to keep you out of trouble in the first place. Among these are the AWD (All Wheel Drive) system, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), and (ABS) Anti-Lock Brakes, EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and (TCS (Traction Control System) as standard.

9/10

9. Equipment

The Ford Kuga is available in two trim levels – Zetec or Titanium. Zetec features 17-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured rear spoiler, All Wheel Drive system, air-conditioning and six-speaker CD/radio. The top of the range Titanium adds blue-tinted glass, cruise control, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, partial leather trim with leather gear knob, Sony Audio system and dual temperature control. The model we drove also featured the useful power converter so you can power electronic devices in transit (£75) and the Titanium X Pack (£2,000) which includes the panoramic sunroof as well as full leather trim, heated front seats, 6-way power driver’s seat, Bi-xenon headlamps and solar reflect windscreen. Touch-screen sat-navy adds another £1,000.

8/10

10. X-Factor

Ford has a superb model range and the Ford Kuga is the latest head-turning addition. Kit from the Ford Focus ensures many of the component parts are tried and tested but the Ford Kuga is likely to boast an initial rarity value with production restricted to around 5,000 in it first full year. It’ll certainly turn some heads.

9/10

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