Kuga shows its claws! (From Craven Herald)

Kuga shows its claws!

2:25pm Monday 17th August 2009 in Road Tests

With all respect to the Blue Oval firm, the new Kuga doesn’t look like a Ford.

With its stylish lines, powerful haunches and admirable build quality, this could quite easily pass for an Audi, say, or a Volkswagen. Maybe even a BMW.

But it says something about the tremendous strides that Ford have made in recent years that they have managed to turn out such a quality car.

It isn’t perfect. It is a little too expensive and could be slightly more practical. And it has to be said that Ford’s move into the premium 4x4 market could have come at a better time.

But this is an astonishingly good move into the posh 4x4 market, and with some green shoots apparently in sight, maybe Kuga and its 4x4 brethren will begin to feel the benefit.

Kuga is the smallest 4x4 produced by the firm and one which jumps headlong into a market swarming with competition, not least some notable rivals who have been here for years. It’s no small challenge, but as with much of Ford’s recent products, nothing is left to chance.

The exterior is a signal of intent. It manages to pull off all the buzzwords you might expect from a car like this – dynamic, edgy, sporty, purposeful – but don’t let that put you off. Instead, remember that cars like this used to be no more attractive than the breezeblocks they were modelled on, whereas the Kuga is a handsome machine that doesn’t shout too loudly. A job well done there.

Although obviously taller than a conventional hatch, the Kuga doesn’t feel out of place squeezing through urban traffic.

You still get the good view out, which is a big plus point for many buyers, but other road-users won’t be scared out of their wits by the sheer size of the thing.

The Kuga has been equipped with an ‘on-demand’ electronically-controlled all-wheel-drive system that, in conjunction with ESP, transmits torque to the rear wheels when needed to ensure the best traction under cornering and acceleration.

The system works well both on-road, delivering high levels of traction, and off-road. The figures look good, too, not just in terms of its performance – 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds – but with regards to running costs.

Its impressive fuel consumption figure of 44.1mpg is further complemented by a low CO2 emission of 169g/km, placing it in a VED tax band below many of its rivals.

Only one engine is available at launch, a 2.0-litre TDCi with six-speed manual gearbox, although a 2.5-litre turbo petrol will be introduced at the end of the year. For now, buyers will have to make do with the diesel option and the 134bhp it offers. Admittedly, it doesn’t sound like much, but overall the engine pulls confidently thanks to the 236lb/ft of torque available at 2,000 rpm. It’s a competent and capable cruiser, comfortable too, rolling along with little fuss and low noise levels.

Trim levels are limited to just two options, Zetec and Titanium. However, both are so well equipped that buyers won’t feel hard done by and there are several optional up-grade packs available that include goodies such as a panoramic roof.

The Zetec model, priced from £20,500, comes with interior accents of orange or blue, a bold move that sounds risky, even tacky, but in reality works well and gives the cabin a fresh and youthful look.

The Titanium model, at £22,500, carries a more conservative feel with graphite highlights, but overall the cabin feels well built, solid, has an attractive design and uses good quality materials throughout. There are few signs of penny-pinching in here.

Though it remains compact in size, with a wheelbase of 2,690mm, there is plenty of space for occupants. Practical features include a 60/40 split in the second row seating, fold flat seats that create 1,355 litres of luggage space, large cubby holes for storage, a two-piece tailgate and an optional 230 volt socket. These are the kind of features that will suit the versatile life that its owners will probably lead; anything that’s not been thought of is probably unnecessary.

Safety-wise, a total of six airbags have been fitted to the cabin, which include head and shoulder curtain airbags that cover the first and second row of seats, as well as an anti-rollover system in addition to ESP, ABS, traction control and the all-wheel drive.

So is it the complete package? Well, the Kuga certainly matches up to its rivals in most areas: it’s handsome, sturdy, well-equipped and safe. The lack of engine choice will be rectified soon enough, but the ace in the hole is the way the Kuga drives. Like a miniature BMW X5, the Kuga steers and responds in a way that makes you forget you’re driving an SUV – and who wants to be reminded of that every mile?

PRICE: £20,900.

ENGINE: A 2.0-litre diesel unit developing 134bhp and 236lb/ft of torque via a six-speed manual transmission, with intelligent all-wheel drive.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 112mph, 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds.

CO2 EMISSIONS: 169g/km.

COSTS: 44.1mpg.

WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles.