IT may have taken four years, and a completely new model may not be too far off (more than 12 months, I’m told), but Ford’s dashing Kuga compact SUV has now reached the South African market.
Imported from Germany, the Kuga plugs a gaping hole in the Ford line-up. The compact SUV segment has recorded impressive growth during the course of the past few years, and the Kuga will give Ford a slice of the CR-V/Tiguan/Captiva etc. pie. In its first month on sale in SA, 111 Kugas found owners – an impressive number.
Impressive especially because the Kuga is certainly targeted at the top-end of the market. Only two models are on offer, and they’re both powered by the same 2,5-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine (a development of the unit that did duty in the Focus ST) and pricing starts at R375 000 for the entry-level Trend, rising to R395 000 for the flagship Titanium.
The engine is one of the most powerful in its segment, delivering 147 kW and a meaty 320 N.m of torque from 1 600 to 4 000 r/min. It is mated with a 5-tronic 5-speed automatic transmission. The transmission gives the option of shifting via tapping of the lever, but gearshift paddles would’ve been even better. The Kuga is certainly swift, with a 0-100 km/h time of 8,8 seconds, making it one of the sportier vehicles of its kind.
In typical Ford fashion, the ride and handling balance is also excellent, probably class-leading. Like most compact SUVs, the Kuga will spend most of its time on tarred surfaces. There was no time to complete a light off-road course during the local launch, but one look at the specification sheet suggests it will be capable on gravel/slippery surfaces, but no rock-hopper. It uses an “intelligent” all-wheel drive system that only sends torque to the rear when necessary, thereby saving fuel… talking of which, the powerful engine is quite thirsty, with a claimed combined cycle figure of 10,3 L/100 km. The ground clearance is 188 mm, and a look under the floor of the boot revealed a space-saver spare.
Besides its good looks, performance and on-road dynamics, the Kuga’s other big draw card is its standard specification. Even the “base” Trend model comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a split tailgate, cruise control, Bluetooth plus voice control, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel, full leather upholstery and a 6-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat among many other items. It is possibly worthwhile spending the extra R20 000 for the Titanium, as the list of extras is surprisingly long and includes: 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, auto-on headlamps, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dual-zone climate control, privacy glass, panoramic glass roof, height-adjustable front passenger seat and a heated front windscreen.
The cabin has certainly aged well. The design (derived in parts from the previous-generation Focus) is still modern and the soft-touch plastics, as well as cloth inserts and metallic finishes lend a premium air to the cabin. I’m not so sure about the metallic orange trim items on the Trend model, however – another reason I’d go for the Titanium. There’s plenty space, too, and some clever storage solutions – the glove compartment is large, the storage box between the seats is huge, and there is even storage space under the rear seat cushions.
Our test route took in the Franschhoek and Helshoogte passes. Usually, manufacturers use these famous routes to introduce sports cars. We pushed the Kuga hard and it showed that Ford remains at the forefront of developing mainstream cars with superb ride and handling balances. It feels less top-heavy that some other vehicles in its segment and grip levels are high. There are only two small criticisms – it takes some time to get used to the lifeless steering, and I longed for gearshift paddles to make the most of that power.
Overall, the Kuga is attractive, fast, handles well, spacious and packed with comfort and safety features. There’s also an upmarket, near-premium feel to the cabin that goes a long way to justifying the price. So, yes, the Ford Kuga is a latecomer and a new model is on the way. But that’s not enough reason to ignore it, because compared with what else is available in the market right now (CR-V and RAV4 also nearing end of life-cycles), the Kuga deserves serious consideration, especially if on-road performance and dynamics are priorities.
Specifications:
Model: Ford Kuga 2,5 Trend & Titanium
Engine: 2,5-litre, in-line five-cylinder, turbopetrol
Power: 147 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 320 N.m at 1 600-4 000 r/min
0-100 km/h: 8,8 seconds
Fuel consumption: 10,3 L/100 km
CO2: 244 g/km
Price: R375 000 (Trend), R395 000 (Titanium)
Service plan: 4 years/80 000 km
Service intervals: 20 000 km
