Ford's entry into the popular SUV market segment in the form of the Kuga model did not leave us cold. We had a solidly equipped titanium version on test, powered by a 100-kilowatt turbodiesel engine with relatively good fuel consumption, but with less flexibility at high speeds. The gearbox is also short, so we...
Ford's entry into the popular SUV market segment in the form of the Kuga model did not leave us cold. We had a solidly equipped titanium version on test, powered by a 100-kilowatt turbodiesel engine with relatively good fuel consumption, but with less flexibility at high speeds. The gearbox is also short, so we had to shift it several times, as we are used to with diesels. That's why we were all the more impressed by the four-wheel drive, which uses proven Haldex 3 technology and is fully controlled by electronics. It instantly reacts to changes in the road surface and distributes the torque to the wheel that needs it the most. Although the driver has no influence on its operation, it proved itself when we tested it, for example, in a muddy carriageway and on a wet meadow. Of course, one should not exaggerate, as it is still a "city" SUV. There was no snow during our time with the test Kuga, but we can assume that it would feel at home on such a surface. The Kuga performs well even on long highway drives, where the built-in cruise control and voice control of selected functions, such as the radio and air conditioning, came to the fore - the latter we were able to "order" for example the temperature setting. Passengers in the back seats were pampered by spaciousness, convenient convertible tables and, last but not least, a panoramic roof.
The urban pulse of the car
While driving in the city, especially when parking, we were disturbed by the not-so-best visibility when driving back - we would highly recommend parking sensors. On the other hand, we had an excellent overview of what was happening in the traffic in front of us, to which the higher distance of the car from the ground contributed a lot. This also comes in handy when you need to park over a curb. The advantages of four-wheel drive are definitely shown when driving in a snowy city, as the road workers are the last to clear the side streets of the city, and if we happen to have business there, the 4×4 drive comes in handy.
Parent friendly
The rear bench is of course equipped with two ISOFIX anchor points. Slightly older children will be delighted by the already mentioned folding tables, not to mention the spaciousness of the rear bench. As for the trunk, it offers a flat bottom even when the rear seats are folded down, and the trunk lid offers double opening. There is enough space for luggage – 410 liters – so the Kuga is a good alternative to family station wagons and will definitely find buyers among families who spend their free time actively.
We noticed
The Kuga we had on test pampered the driver and passengers with rich equipment. The driver's and passenger's seats had built-in heating, and the driver's seat was additionally electrically adjustable. The music scene in the car was provided by the built-in Sony audio system with a 6-CD changer and MP3 support and 8 speakers. Additional comfort was provided by soft armrests in the doors - even the upper edge of the door wallpaper was softly padded, which you don't see very often. We were a little less impressed with the number of storage spaces in the front of the vehicle - we kind of expected more of them given the type of vehicle. We would also advise the Ford engineers to make the ignition system - the car was started by pressing the "Ford Power" button - so that only a short press of the button will suffice, rather than holding it until the engine is fully started . That's why we were all the more satisfied with the Ford Easy Fuel system for refueling, which makes this task cleaner, simpler and, above all, prevents possible fuel changes.
Technique and price
Vehicle dimensions (in mm): 4443 x 1842 x 1710; engine power: 100 kW (136 hp); final speed: 180 km/h; fuel consumption (urban/extra-urban/combined): 8.1/5.4/6.4 l/100 km; CO emission2: 169 g/km; trunk volume: 410-1405 l; price of the test vehicle (without discounts): EUR 34,995; insurance costs (AO / Super Polni Kasko with 1% deductible franchise at Zav. Maribor): EUR 524.58 / EUR 1198.86.
