The all-new Ford Kuga is now available. Sharper new styling aside, the second-generation Kuga also ushers in a host of new safety technologies, EcoBoost powerplants and a new intelligent all-wheel drive system.
While the outgoing car was eye-catching in its own right, the new Kuga’s adoption of a more purposeful take on Ford’s kinetic design language moves the car further in line with more contemporary offerings such as the new Focus.
Among the highlights are a steeply raked windshield, a more aggressive front airdam and headlamp treatment, raised beltline and large wheel arches.
Three engine options are offered – a 1,6-litre EcoBoost turbopetrol in two states of tune and a 2,0-litre TDCi turbodiesel. The entry-level petrol unit is coupled to a front-wheel drivetrain and produces 110 kW. Mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, this engine returns a combined fuel consumption of 6,6 litres/100 km. This particular setup is augmented by a start/stop system.
Next up is a 134 kW version of the same engine. This unit is coupled to a six-speed, develops 240 N.m of torque and consumes 7,7 litres/100 km.
The 2,0-litre turbodiesel is mated with ford’s Powershift dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission and makes 120 kW and 340 N.m. The claimed fuel consumption for this model is 6,2 litres/100 km.
The new adaptive all-wheel drive system reacts within milliseconds to assess terrain conditions and splits drive between the front and rear axles accordingly. In a more dynamic driving scenario it works in tandem with Ford’s Curve Control system, which applies controlled braking when the system detects that a driver has carried too much speed into a corner to counter excessive understeer. This is further augmented by a torque vectoring system first seen in the Focus that applies a small degree of braking to an inside wheel under cornering to draw the nose in line.
In terms of trim the Kuga range kicks off with Ambiente, which incorporates front/rear foglamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, cruise control and an audio system with Bluetooth and voice control.
Trend specification adds rear parking sensors, leather sports seats, electrically folding mirrors, dual-zone climate control and a nine-speaker Sony audio system with TFT screen.
Range-topping Titanium specification adds bi-Xenon auto headlamps with auto high beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, curve control and a hands-free motorised tailgate.
Titanium-spec models can be further kitted up with the R35 000 Titanium Option Pack comprising radar-actuated braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Pricing:
Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Ambiente FWD R289 900
Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Trend FWD R324 900
Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Trend AT AWD R364 900
Kuga 1,6 EcoBoost Titanium AT AWD R398 900
Kuga 2,0 TDCi Trend Powershift AWD R384 900
Kuga 2,0 TDCi Titanium Powershift AWD R428 900
Pricing includes a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 4-year service plan (80 000 km on petrols and 90 000 km for diesels) and a 3-year roadside assist plan. Service intervals are 20 000 km for petrols and 15 000 km for diesels.
