Kuga outshines many other SUVs

The Ford Kuga is one of the better-looking SUVs.

At the last count there were about 15 SUV's to choose from and when you start factoring in price, practicality, looks, outdoor ability, comfort, and status the task becomes almost impossible.

The "who-drives-it-where"-factor is another key consideration. Is it going to be used as yummy-mummy's school-run taxi? Will it be used mainly as transport for kayaks, bikes, surfboards and camping gear? Will it be put to more general use such as practical family transport, motorised shopping trolley or as a daily commuter? Will it ever go off the tar or maybe even into the bush?

Motorised multitaskers

The real truth probably lies somewhere in all of the above because SUV's are versatile creatures and nearly all of them offer comfortable rides, lots of cabin space, good high driver's positions, practicality - all at rather steep prices.

To complicate the issue even further Ford has just re-launched its Kuga, which has undergone a major metamorphosis after the company was accused of "dumping" its outgoing model on the South African market last year, about five years after its European launch.

The roof has been shaped to look slicker and the windscreen has a more rakish angle.

As predicted at the time, last year's model ran out quickly to make place for the model that has just been launched here - and if the outgoing model was a bit of a rough diamond, the new Kuga is a polished sparkler.

It literally brims with appealing features, so much so that Ford refers to its SUV as a "Smart" Utility Vehicle as opposed to a "Sports" Utility Vehicle and it's no motoring market-speak either when you consider what all it has and can do:

• Go anywhere all drive
• Press-button sunroof
• A choice of smart engines capable of towing boats, bikes and trailers safely thanks Trailer Sway Control
• Excellent handling thanks to its Enhanced Torque Vectoring Control System
• Rear seats that fold flat at the push of a button, plus increased luggage space
• Easy-opening tailgate which opens if you just wave your foot below the rear bumper
• A Blind Spot Indication System
• Lane keeping assistance
• Active Park System
• Adaptive Cruise Control

The Kuga's specification list is much too long and detailed to go into detail here but get your local Ford salesman to explain it all to you or pick up a brochure to work through at your leisure.

There's ample room for shopping, rugby kit and so on.

As is the tendency these days there are several models to choose from in various specification and price levels, starting from R289,900 and spiralling upwards to R418,900.There new range now also sees the introduction of a new engines including a 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine.

The smaller petrol models offer two power output levels: A 110kW FWD version linked to a six-speed manual shift, and a 134kW AWD derivative which comes with a six-speed auto box with SelectShift. Both engines produce a healthy 240Nm, which kicks in from as low as 1600rpm

Frugal Fords

Both engines are fairly frugal with Ford claiming 6.6 litres/100km and emissions of 154g/km for the less powerful engine and 7.7 litres/100km at 179g/km for the bigger engine. The petrol engine models are available in Ambiente, Trend or Titanium specification levels. The two diesel models are available in either Trend or Titanium options and are powered by the same 120kW/340Nm engine that Ford claims will use only 6.2 litres/100km with emissions kept to 162g/km.

As is the norm at these price levels the Kuga is generally equipped with fancy goods, toys and safety equipment and even the entry level 1.6 Ambiente boasts with heated side mirrors, front and rear fog lamps, 17-inch alloys, Auto Start-Stop, keyless push button start, EcoMode, a smart Media system with Bluetooth and Voice Control, steering wheel Audio controls and cruise control are all on the long list.

Going with the Trend

The specifications get even better on the Trend models and up at Titanium level the smarties box includes 18-inch alloys, BiXenon headlamps with auto high and auto levelling, static cornering lights, Daytime Running Lights, rain sensing wipers, Roll Stability Control with Curve Control, smart keyless entry and the handy "open sesame" tailgate which will impress the hell out of your neighbours and the guys at the golf club.

The switches, dials and gauges are quite cool and fairly logically positioned.

click to enlarge

If all of this is not fancy enough and your wallet is still bulging there are even more options to pick and pay for.

Because SUV's are designed to be multi-functional, they are never going to floor you with their looks although the new Ford is fairly easy on the eye and a definite improvement on the outgoing model.

The roof has been shaped to look slicker and the windscreen has a more rakish angle. Bulging wheel arches, the three-section trapezoid grill and a raised, sharper beltline help in the cosmetic department.

All within reach

The cabin is neat, practical and shiny. The seats are big, contoured and comfortable. Driving pleasures including aircon and sound system that both work well and are relatively easy to operate. The switches, dials and gauges are quite cool and fairly logically positioned. The seats fold flat and nice little extras include an umbrella holder, and under-floor storage bin and even a ticket holder in each sun visor!

I drove both petrol and diesel versions at the media launch and enjoyed them both. My choice (because it suits my lifestyle and purse the best) is the less expensive petrol version. The 1.6 under the hood is quite enthusiastic. It also sits well on the road thanks mainly to its clever AWD system that proves traction in the rough stuff and extra grip on the tar, particularly when you feed it a bit of takkie. Responses quicken and the handling also tightens up.

It literally brims with appealing features, so much so that Ford refers to its SUV as a “Smart” Utility Vehicle as opposed to a “Sports” Utility Vehicle.

click to enlarge

Steering feel is not bad at all considering the vehicle's size and weight and takes quite a bit of shove to get the Kuga to lean through the corners. But then the Kuga gets some clever assistance in the shape of its Curve Control system which reduces understeer, adds a bit of clever braking of its own and reduces engine torque, even if the driver doesn't ease off on the accelerator.

One of the best in its class

The suspension is not too bouncy and it certainly plays a part in the affectionate way the Kuga clings to the tar. When it comes to handling, I reckon this Ford is one of the best performers in this class.

It's also nice to know that it comes with Euro NCAP five-star rating and the highest overall protection score of 88% - higher than any other vehicle in the mid-sized SUV segment.

Ford is in a good space right now and the company is producing some really top-notch vehicles such as the recently launched Fiesta and now the Kuga and with more to come in the not too distant future. The carmaker has set the sales volume bar for the Kuga quite high but they think it is achievable. It's a darn fine vehicle and it nudges many of the other options in this segment out of the way.

Deciding which SUV to buy has just become easier - or more difficult, depending on how you look at it.

The models and prices are:

Kuga 1.6 Ambiente FWD - R289,900
Kuga 1.6 Trend FWD - R324,900
Kuga 1.6 Trend Auto - R364,900
Kuga 1.6 Titanium Auto - R398,900
Kuga 2.0 TDCi Trend PowerShift AWD - R384,900
Kuga 2.0 Titanium PowerShift AWD - R418,900

Specifications

2013 Ford Escape Titanium Walkaround, Review, and Test Drive

Ford Kuga

2013 Ford Kuga - Which? first drive