Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 Ford Kuga Active 2.5 Duratec PHEV CVT FWD
Price: Kuga from £32,095 (£46,055 as tested)
Engine: 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol and electric motor
Battery: 14.4 kWh
Transmission: continuously variable transmission, front-wheel drive
Power: 243hp
Torque: 199Nm (petrol engine)
Emissions: 24g/km
Range: 42 miles
Economy: 282.5mpg
0-62mph: 7.3 seconds
Top speed: 125mph
Boot space: 412-645-1,534 litres
Styling
Ford hasn't changed the Kuga's basic shape, but the update to the styling is still marked. Chief among the changes is the new front grille, which now has a more open design with the Ford oval in the centre, giving the car less of a knock-off DBX image. But because our test car came in Active form, it had more to show for the upgrade than just a new nose. Rugged-looking body cladding gives it a cool off-road look, and it goes particularly well with the Bursting Green paintwork. However, with a front-wheel-drive example, there's a sense that the car's body is promising capability the mechanical components can't deliver.
Interior
Just as the Kuga's exterior has only really been tweaked, the same goes for the interior. There's a new digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, with a nice clear display and a bit of customisation. It isn't the most spectacular bit of technology, but it does its job incredibly well.
But the highlight is the new touchscreen infotainment system in the centre of the dash. Standing proud like an overgrown, widescreen tablet, the system uses Ford's latest operating system, which means it looks modern and cool, but it's still user-friendly. Admittedly, we'd prefer it if Ford had stuck with conventional heater controls, but the touchscreen system isn't as bad as it could be because the temperature controls are always available and the screen is fairly responsive.
As usual, the Kuga's cabin is fairly well made, but it isn't quite as solid as the cabins of competitors from semi-premium brands such as Volkswagen. Nevertheless, it's easily a match for mainstream rivals, and all the major touchpoints feel nice and robust.
Practicality
Happily, the Kuga isn't short of space, with plenty of room for four adults in the cabin. It doesn't necessarily feel that roomy, even with the panoramic glass roof that lightens it considerably, but there's plenty of space for passengers to get comfortable. Even tall passengers will be happy enough in the rear seats, with ample legroom and sufficient headroom, although the central seat might not be so comfortable.
There's enough luggage space, too, even though a 412-litre boot that doesn't sound all that impressive. But because you can trade passenger space for boot space courtesy of sliding rear seats, you can free up 628 litres of cargo capacity if you so wish. That said, you will get another few litres (17, to be precise) from the non-hybrid versions.
Performance
Ford is offering a choice of powertrains for the new Kuga, but the old diesel engines have bitten the dust. Instead, it’s a straight choice between a 1.5-litre petrol engine, ‘full’ or ‘self-charging’ hybrid power and plug-in hybrid power. Go for the petrol version, and you get 150hp and a six-speed manual gearbox, through which the power heads to the front wheels alone.
Opt for the 2.5-litre full hybrid, however, and you can up the power output to 180hp, which is distributed to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. But if you want the all-wheel-drive option, which fits neatly with the Active model’s style, you’ll get a small bump in power, up to 183hp.
Or you can go for the 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid version we tested. With the four-cylinder petrol engine, 14.4kWh battery and electric motor, it produces 243hp, which is distributed between all four wheels. Perhaps more importantly, it allows the Kuga to cover a little over 40 miles on electric power alone – at least on the official economy test – and the rechargeable battery means it can do that day after day, keeping fuel use to a minimum if your journeys are fairly short. Admittedly, you’re unlikely to manage the 200-and-odd miles to the gallon promised by the official figures, but if the system suits your lifestyle, you could find the plug-in Kuga surprisingly cheap to run.
However, there is an issue. The CVT is a bit naff – a ‘proper’ automatic gearbox would have been a better bet – and it means the system isn’t always that refined. Sometimes it holds on to ratios for a little too long, so the revs rise to uncomfortably high levels, but the four-cylinder engine is generally fairly quiet.
Ride & Handling
Not so long ago, the Ford Kuga was the benchmark in its class for family SUVs with driver appeal, but the Active version has raised suspension and feels a bit softer and more comfort-orientated than its predecessors. Nevertheless, it's still relatively pleasant to drive compared with its rivals. The steering is a bit lighter than we'd like, but the response is sharp enough and there's plenty of grip. Body roll is reasonably well controlled, too, albeit not quite as brilliant as it might once have been.
On the plus side, the Kuga Active rides better than its predecessors, with a little more compliance from the suspension that makes it that bit more supple over bumps. It still isn't quite class leading in that area, but it arguably offers a better balance of ride and handling than Kugas of old. And though that hybrid powertrain may not be as smooth as it should be, the car is otherwise pretty well refined.
Value
Kuga prices start at just over £32,000 for the basic Titanium, and that makes it about £3,000 cheaper than a VW Tiguan and only a little more expensive than the smaller T-Roc. Admittedly, that's for a basic 1.5-litre petrol version, but it still comes with 17-inch alloys, a reversing camera and climate control, not to mention the 13-inch touchscreen, LED lights and parking sensors at the front and rear. Upgrade to the £37,395 ST-Line and you get bigger wheels, sportier styling and clever power-adjustable front seats, plus a 360-degree manoeuvring camera, while the £38,965 Active comes with slightly lifted suspension and off-road styling.
Verdict
The plug-in hybrid system is pretty pants in a lot of ways – mainly because of that transmission – but even that can’t detract too much from what is a very well sorted family SUV. The Kuga isn’t quite as focussed as it once was, but it’s still more fun than most of its rivals and it looks the part, too. All in all, a solid SUV if not exactly a class leader.
