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For some time now, Ford has stayed clear of the mini 4x4, and for good reason too. The seemingly endless concern about mpg figures, Co2 emissions as well as the general stigma associated with 4x4s can make them a daunting purchase. That’s why the Kuga has got a lot to live up to, especially on the road, in our wallets and on the environment.
As with all modern Fords, their ultra versatile ‘Kinetic Design’ language is echoed throughout the Kuga and does so with great success. In the metal it looks great, much like a ‘beefier’, more muscular version of the Focus- but just a bit taller. There’s also bucket loads of little design cues that live up to the Kuga’s rough and tough image including bonnet bulges, chrome twin exhausts and sporty wheel arches.
Even so, Ford may have taken their sporty 4x4 concept one step too far, especially with the fake and rather naff rear diffuser, as well as the purely cosmetic side vents. Still, you’d be hard pressed to notice such minimal details.
On the inside, the Kuga feels well built and solid, which is no surprise. Much of the interior has simply been lifted straight from the Focus and is generally a nice place to be. However, it’s a shame the Kuga couldn’t have been gifted with a more ‘Kuga specific’ interior, rather than mirroring its smaller sibling, but nonetheless a very good cockpit.
Also available is an optional ‘moon roof’, which replaces the regular roof with a huge single piece of glass. The extra light means the cabin feels much bigger than it actually is, especially for passengers in the back. There’s also a generous sized boot which features both a flat loading surface as well as a split tailgate for easy boot access.
The Kuga’s greatest appeal isn’t the good size interior or the spacious boot, nor is it even the urban-chic styling. Instead, it’s the on-road driving experience that makes the Kuga so special.
OK, so the Kuga is never going feel as nimble or as agile as a Focus hatchback, but it certainly makes a good attempt given its size and weight. There’s little body roll and ample of grip in the corners. There's also plenty of feedback through the steering wheel, which is a refreshing change from most mini SUVs’ such as the Freelander 2, which feels both numb and disconnected from the drive.
As for the engine line-up, there’s a 134bhp 2.0-litre diesel as well as the range topping 2.5-litre 5 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. The test 2.0-litre model will be the more popular of the two given the shear idiocy of the petrol variant, so it’s best to test the diesel.
Performance isn't too shabby. It’s in the third and fourth gears where the Kuga makes its biggest impact, especially for over taking where it makes good use of the torque available. The Kuga also returns a very reasonable 38 mpg on a combined cycle, so running costs should be more than manageable.
Overall, the Kuga is practical, well equipped and reasonably economical, but most importantly it looks fantastic and feels great to drive - a true achievement for a mini 4x4.
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