Unusual name, but a remarkable vehicle, that has set some new standards in refinement and value for money in the medium SUV segment.
Ford's Kuga, is built on the Focus platform, and is just about right in terms of size and user friendliness.
Entry is easy with the seat hip height perfect for most people.
Interior space is slightly smaller than last week's RAV 4, but it will be more than adequate for owners..
The cargo area is also useful, though not as large as some.
The grippy, tactile, textured, leather bound steering wheel feels marvellous, and is adjustable for reach and rake. Just two and a half turns lock to lock, operating with just the right amount of feel in the 'burbs and on the open road.
Buttons for cruise control, menus and sound system adjustment, are intuitive and fall readily to hand.
You will want for nothing on this $47 K Titanium spec Kuga.
In fact it puts the similarly priced RAV4 Cruiser and others at the high end of the segment,in the shade for sheer volume of equipment.
The list is long.
Active cruise control, that allows you to set and vary a distance from the vehicle in front,a lane departure warning that shakes the steering wheel if you drift out of a lane,(with adjustable sensitivity,) illuminated blind spot icons in the door mirrors, if you haven't checked to see if a lane is clear before moving over,heated power adjustable front seats,panoramic opening glass sunroof with electric roller blind for hot days,reversing camera,power tailgate with rear bumper foot "swipe" activation sensors,auto wipers and lights,sat nav and much more, including bluetooth connectivity,brilliant bi xenon headlights and auto dual zone climate control.
Self parking capability, headlamp washers, auto folding wing mirrors, keyless entry and start,fold away tray tables in the rear of the front seats and subtle mood lighting in the dashboard foot wells and doors,adjustable through a spectrum of colours and intensities, are a few of the other luxury and practical features.
The fascia controls are lifted straight from the Focus, and once familiar with the large array of buttons, works well.
According to my sensitive back and derierre, I would say the ride comfort is much better than some rivals. The front seats are a little narrow for my liking, but are very supportive nonetheless, not too hard or soft... just right.
The 4 cylinder, two litre turbo diesel powerplant has 120 Kw and a handy 340 nm of torque.
It's quiet and responds with some urgency, through a six speed automatic gearbox,especially in Sport mode.
However the fuel filler is inexplicably open to all comers.
The outside cover doesn't lock with the car, and the nozzle entry tube has no screw down cap, just a spring loaded flap, that's easily accessible to anyone who wanted to damage the fuel in the tank with some foreign substance. I have never seen that on a car before. If the outside door is not lockable, then the fuel cap itself usually is.
Not here. A strange omission.
The turbo diesel Kuga is commendably quiet at idle and silent on the open road,a feature of most modern diesels..you simply wouldn't be aware most times that there's an oil burner up front.There's some body roll in the bends but it's not excessive. An effectively positioned driver's "dead" pedal to rest the left foot is also a welcome addition.
Snazzy 19 inch alloys complete the package.
On sale for just a couple of weeks at the time of writing, almost 400 have been sold nationwide.
Very impressive Ford.
The Kuga is sure to become one of the best sellers in this market, and Ford will be hoping it's enough to ultimately lure buyers away from other brands.
Peter Sellen
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