Ford Kuga review

The Ford Kuga is a family SUV with one trait that it holds above most other cars of its type: fun handling. It’s almost as sharp to drive as a Ford Focus, yet with the practicality and looks of an SUV. That’s what we call having your cake and eating it too. It’s a rival for SUVs such as the Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008 and Seat Ateca, but none of those can quite offer the sheer fun that the Kuga can. 

We reckon the Kuga looks a little like a Focus that’s let itself go (too much of that cake). The latest Kuga is smarter than previous ones, with a large grille, piercing headlights and curves all over the place. Higher-spec models on larger wheels look more imposing but even lower trims wear their smaller alloys well.

The Kuga’s interior is similarly curvy, with a central touchscreen display prominently placed on the dash. The 8-inch screen is easy to use and comes with smartphone connectivity, making it useful – and the air-con controls are physical buttons, which is good.

The new Kuga is bigger than the previous version, which means that it’s competitive for interior space. Adults will have to squeeze in to fit across the rear bench, but there’s enough legroom and headroom back there. The Kuga’s back bench also slides forwards and backwards to swap between legroom and boot space, and you can even have the outer seats heated.

Amongst other family SUVs, the previous Ford Kuga was a good looking car. Now, though, it’s even more distinctive to look at and its engine choices are bang up to date.

The Kuga’s boot could be better, though, as it’s a bit smaller than its main alternatives’, even with the sliding rear seat. Still, it’s big enough for some suitcases and other holiday stuff, or a big weekly shop.

With petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and mild hybrid options, there’s plenty of choice in the engine range. There’s a decent formula to choose which is right for you: if you have a short commute, consider the plug-in hybrid to benefit from the electric range. Check out our separate Ford Kuga Plug-in Hybrid review. If you have a long commute, the diesel model will be good. If you’re not a commuter and use the car for various trips, a mild-hybrid petrol should offer the best balance of economy and smoothness. Basically, any Kuga you choose won’t cost too much to run.

Whichever Kuga you choose you’ll enjoy the driving experience. The sharp steering, plentiful grip and decent performance mean that it’s enjoyable to drive on country roads. Good visibility and a decent turning circle make it simple work in town, too, while it’ll prove comfy and quiet on the motorway.

The Ford Kuga is a big improvement over previous models and the value-for-money factor is there as long as you stick to the middle of the trim range. It’s comfortable, practical and full of kit – it’s just a shame the boot isn’t as big as we’d like.

If you don’t mind those minor negatives, head to our Kuga deals page to make sure you’re getting the best prices.

Or checkout the 10 top things you need to know about the Ford Kuga. Tap on the video below.