The Ford Kuga 4x4 is a small and economical SUV that was initially launched in 2008. Some of its competitors include the Honda CR-V and the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its economical engines, stylish looks and good handling have made it a popular family car.
Features of the Kuga
The Ford Kuga is an excellent four wheel drive model from Ford that successfully strikes a fine balance between performance, fuel economy and practicality.
The car has a nicely-weighted steering that is responsive, and body roll is minimal even in tight corners. The ride is therefore smooth and enjoyable for all passengers. This is further enhanced by the comfortable, supportive sports seats. The car soaks up big bumps and imperfections well at high speeds. Its soundproofed cabin effectively suppresses engine and tyre noises. Wind noise is however noticeable especially at high speeds and the car lacks great off-road capability and can only tackle mildly tricky terrain with its 4x4 feature.
The forward cabin is spacious enough to allow drivers of different sizes to adjust themselves and get comfortable. The dashboard has many buttons that may need some time to get used to especially if you have never driven a similar car before such as the Ford Focus. The boot space is 456 litres.
The Kuga is generally well equipped and there are however three different equipment levels available: the Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X. The Zetec model comes with front and rear electric windows, air conditioning, cruise control, hill-start assist, CD stereo, electrically adjustable door mirrors and six airbags. The Titanium model goes a bit further as it comes with automatic headlights and wipers, part leather upholstery, cruise control and climate control. The most luxurious of the three models, the Titanium X, comes with full leather upholstery, powered front seats, Bi-Xenon headlights, Bluetooth and MP3 connection, and not forgetting a panoramic roof. The roof can also be ordered as an optional extraon the other two models.
The well-appointed interior of the Ford Kuga is aesthetic and highly practical.
How Practical is the Ford Kuga?
The boot size is large enough for many family outings. It is however smaller than that of other rival SUVs such as the Honda CR-V. The boot floor is low and flat, making loading an easy task. The glass of the tailgate can be opened. You therefore don't have to open the whole boot so as to drop in just a small bag. The hatch opens wide and the rear seats fold flat, but not to the same level as the boot floor. A three-pin power socket is available between the front seats for plugging in gadgets or recharging electronic devices like mobile phones. The car's headroom is impressive but is slightly reduced if a sunroof is present. The available legroom for front and rear passengers is good enough. The rear seats can be reclined for extra comfort using a simple lever.
Engine & Fuel Economy
The two engine options available are the petrol and diesel engines. The 2.0-litre diesel engine comes in two power outputs, the 138bhp and 161bhp. The 138 brake horsepower version is more economical than the 161bhp. The 161bhp is more responsive and powerful. It offers 47.1mpg (a great fuel economy), emissions of 159g/km and does 0-62 mph in 9.6 seconds. The 2.5-litre petrol engine with 197bhp offers a much reduced 29mpg and does 0-62mph in just 8.2 seconds. The estimated fuel cost per year for every 10,000 miles is £2241 to £2324 for petrol and £1374 to £1575 for diesel. The car is one of the greenest cars available in the 4x4 category due to its low emissions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 4x4 version of the Ford Kuga can be said to be advantageous due to its looks, handling, interior and economical diesel engine. Its disadvantages include the limited choice of engines available and restricted off-road ability. It is a good purchase if you intend to use it a family car to be driven mostly on tarmac. You can get a new one in the UK at a price of between £20,000 to £30,000 and a used one from as low as £8,000.
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