What is it?
It's Ford's 'crossover', so don't whatever you do call it an SUV. Perhaps reluctant to have is new model lumped in with all the media corralling of anti-SUV feeling, Ford doesn't mention those emotive three letters anywhere in its press material for its Kuga. And rightly so. The Kuga might be a high-riding car with four-wheel drive and rugged looks, but its CO2 emissions are just 169g/km, less than a massive number of cars out there that aren't on the receiving end of poorly informed environmentalists' scorn. Fuel consumption of 44.1mpg is impressive, too. Think of it as a tall, restyled Focus hatchback with some added ability when the going gets tough, then.
Is it any good?
Surprisingly so. The Kuga might share much of its underpinnings with the brilliant handling Focus hatchback, but that was no guarantee of greatness on the road. The rise in ride height as well as the four-wheel drive system could have led to compromises, but Ford's chassis engineers have managed to make the Kuga drive with real verve. The intelligent four-wheel drive system only delivers torque to the rear wheels when it needs to, meaning it's effectively front-wheel drive the majority of the time - to the benefit of economy and emissions. There's feel at the steering wheel's rim, and turning it results in quick response. There's a bit of roll while the higher centre of gravity is dealt with by the suspension, but the Kuga then corners with remarkable ability for something so tall.
Underlining Ford's aim to produce a crossover that offers real driving appeal is the ability to choose between steering settings. The driver is offered the choice of Standard, Sport or Comfort. Opt for Sport and the Kuga's steering wheel becomes remarkably quick-witted, with precision and quickness that shames many far more sporting cars. In comparison the engine's response feels less enthusiastic. The 2.0-litre TDCI unit is an excellent powerplant elsewhere in the Ford range, but the Kuga's sharp chassis feels like it could cope with more punch than the 134bhp turbodiesel can muster. On paper its performance is competitive with its rivals, 62mph arriving in just 10.7 seconds, but it never feels as sprightly as the numbers suggest. Inside, the Kuga's all familiar Ford, meaning neat design and a solid feel, and some clever features and options - like the twin tailgate opening and the availability of a three-pin plug socket to charge laptops and the like.
Should I call the bank manager?
You'll need to, Ford is only currently offering the Kuga with one engine choice and two trim levels and both weigh in at over £20,000; the Zetec only just at £20,500, and the Titanium at £22,500. That puts it out of the reach of most of Nissan's popular Qashqai range, and absolutely head-to-head with Volkswagen's Tiguan. That's a bold move for Ford, as, although the Kuga is undeniably the driver's choice and well specified, it struggles to match the Volkswagen for badge appeal. Where it betters its VW rival though is on emissions, the Kuga emitting some 20g/km less than the equivalent Tiguan, and in these more environmentally conscious times that'll be significant to many buyers.
Summary
Ford promised much when it first showed its iosis X Crossover concept, and the styling has largely made it through to production Kuga. But more than the smart styling, the Kuga delivers where it matters - on the road, where it drives with quite remarkable agility. The low CO2 emissions are also admirable, allowing those people wanting the high-driving stance and looks of a four-wheel drive a guilt-free drive.
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