With the Focus hatchback and Mondeo family saloon, Ford is leading the pack in two of the biggest selling car sectors.

Now Ford has moved into the fast-growing crossover-SUV segment with the new Ford Kuga. Adrian Hearn was on the UK launch to see how it stacked up.

Unveiled as the iosis X concept at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, the Ford Kuga is the first crossover SUV to be built by Ford as they target the crossover SUV market.

And the first thing you notice about the Ford Kuga is the unmistakeable new face of Ford. The front has the bold upper and lower trapezoid grilles and swept back headlamps – it bears similarities with a jacked-up Focus.

That’s because it shares a lot of components with the big-selling hatchback – noticeably the 2-litre TDCi engine and six-speed manual gearbox.

The Ford Kuga’s aggressive stance is helped by the sleek lines which stretch the length of the car while our model was rolling on bulky 18-inch wheels (17’s are standard).

View our Ford Kuga slide show

What it doesn’t share with the Focus however is the same drive train – the Ford Kuga uses the Haldex Intelligent All-wheel Drive system for the first time. The Haldex system is permanent four-wheel drive, but it’s not always engaged. When traction is lost, the Haldex system kicks in giving grip to the wheels which need it most with a maximum of 50 per cent going to the rear wheels.

This means less energy is required to drive the Ford Kuga as if it was a permanent four-wheel drive machine. The result is improved fuel efficiency and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Class-leading CO2 emissions

Ford claim the 2-litre turbodiesel engine, which produces a healthy 138bhp and 236lb/ft of pulling power, will average more than 44mpg and emit just 169g/km of CO2 making it the class-leading performer.

The power on offer also means 0-62mph (100kph) arrives in 10.7 seconds and there’s a top speed of 112mph, with the optimum pulling power coming in at just 2,000rpm making the Kuga an impressive B-road car with fourth gear particularly enjoyable.

While only the 2-litre diesel is available at launch, Ford will be offering the Kuga with a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 200bhp for a more performance-driven motorist. This engine will be married to a manual or automatic gearbox before the end of the year.

When we got the chance to test the Ford Kuga’s driving dynamics on road we were pleased with the crossover’s handling. The winding B-roads of East Sussex were the location and when putting out foot down, the Kuga felt responsive and impressively brisk. Testing the handling and grip through corners, it felt well planted with surprisingly little bodyroll. It felt less of an off-roader, more of a hatchback.

Ford says the Kuga is also a handy performer off-road, but due to the monsoonal-like May Britain has experienced, the rough stuff available to test it on was more suited to a Land Rover Defender than crossover vehicle. As a result we didn’t get a chance to test the Kuga’s off-road prowess. However, it’s not a car designed for the Dakar Rally, more of a temporary 4x4 which families will use when camping or driving across a wet field.

Two trims available

The Kuga will only be available in two trims; Zetec and Titanium. All models get air-con, heated windscreen, electric door mirrors, a start button and Ford Easyfuel (which stops you putting the wrong fuel in it) as standard.

Our top-spec Titanium model was fitted with leather upholstery, a Sony CD player, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlamps and a few more optional extras causing it to tip the scales at £25,000. 

Inside we found plenty of room up front, but it was slightly cramped in the rear suggesting a long journey for five adults may not be the most comfortable. The boot is a respectable 360 litres, but again not massive.

In our presentation, Ford chairman and managing director Roelant de Waard said Ford are anticipating 60 per cent of sales to be for Zetec trim and 40 per cent the top Titanium. But Ford is finding Titanium’s popularity a surprise with the top trim accounting for about half the sales on the Mondeo.

View our Ford Kuga slide show

Safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, collapsible pedals, anti-lock brakes with electronic stability programme and absorbing crumple zones. The intelligent all-wheel drive also improves grip. Ford has a reputation for safe cars with the Focus, Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max all receiving the full five stars for adult occupancy and the Kuga doesn't buck the trend receiving the full five stars and the best overall for a small 4x4.

So how has Ford got on with its debut crossover SUV? The Ford Kuga is a great first effort. It’s a good-looking car with low(ish) emissions and impressive fuel economy. There’s punchy performance and as with the whole of the current crop of Fords, it feels well built. Ford says it anticipates first year sales of just 5 – 6,000 Kugas because of production limitations at the car maker’s Saarlouis plant. But when they overcome this you can anticipate another sales success for the blue oval car maker.

We’ve also just driven the new Ford Focus ST hot hatch and the Mondeo with a new diesel engine. Don’t forget to come back for our verdict on them.