Ford Kuga - TopCarNews

Ford Kuga (2020 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Ford Kuga is a mid-sized SUV/crossover model, that sits above the Puma in the Ford SUV range. The current model is the third generation, which was launched in the UK in early 2020.

Unlike the previous generation, the new Kuga is available with a petrol/electric plug-in hybrid powertrain, as well as traditional petrol and diesel engines.

The new model was launched in the UK just as the country went into lockdown, so we do not have many media reviews collected so far. Those that have been published to date are mostly reviews of the plug-in hybrid model. We will add in more reviews as they are published, but it does mean that the Kuga’s current Expert Rating of 72% (as of September 2021) could change by a significant degree as the petrol and diesel models are tested by a larger number of websites.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £26,445 on-road

Launched: Spring 2020Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Vignale“The Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid is sleek, with a well-made and spacious interior. However, it’s a bit of a letdown behind the wheel.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: PHEVScore: 8 / 10“Ford’s hybrid technology is a useful addition to the Kuga SUV range with the ‘FHEV’ model offering a sharp drive and plenty of kit along with strong economy.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“If you want a practical family car that’s still great to drive, then the Ford Kuga SUV hits the spot.”
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Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-LineScore: 7 / 10“The Ford Kuga PHEV is at its best when running around in its pure-EV mode. The engine is a little intrusive when it kicks in, and the CVT gearbox doesn’t do the driving experience any favours. Thankfully, the Kuga has a usable electric range, plus enough space for all the family.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“With a plug-in hybrid option as well as the regular petrol and diesel options, the Ford Kuga adds affordable running costs to an already appealing proposition.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid VignaleScore: 8 / 10“The Ford Kuga has lost none of its dynamic flair, yet it’s more refined and practical than ever. It’s comfortable, too, Ford’s suspension engineers creating a ride that’s plusher and quieter than most.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel manual TitaniumScore: 8 / 10“Ford has gone for a rather conservative middle-ground approach in the dynamics department with the Kuga – but we think that’s a good thing. The 1.5-litre 120hp diesel we tested is of a similar ilk; it does what it’s supposed to, to a sensible family car standard.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-LineScore: 8 / 10“In benefit-in-kind terms, a 20% rate payer’s only going to be looking at a £60 monthly bill to run one as a company car. Expect to see a lot of these on the roads this year, just as soon as supply allows post-Coronavirus.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-LineScore: 8 / 10“The Ford Kuga PHEV is a seriously credible and well-executed model. Not only does it represent good value for money and have a seriously spacious interior, but you also get the possibility of some exceptionally low running costs. If you want a comfortable plug-in hybrid family SUV that could cost you hardly anything to run, this Kuga should definitely be considered.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“The latest Ford Kuga is great to drive, good value and practical, so it should prove to be a very popular family SUV”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overview“The Ford Kuga is a sleek family SUV which shares a lot of its parts with the Ford Focus. You get the same smart grille, piercing headlights and curves on the side of the car – all of which make the bulky Kuga look like a Focus that’s had one too many pies.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid automatic Vignale“The new Ford Kuga is a versatile range to suit every powertrain requirement, and offers increased technology and in particular interior accommodation, while retaining the fine-handling character of previous Kugas.”
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Fleetworld

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid ST-LineScore: 8 / 10“Good to drive, cheap to run and the move to the Focus floorpan equals an impressively spacious interior. Needs more performance and sharper looks to be king.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview“Longer and wider than the current model, the Kuga offers more room inside for front and rear passengers. Despite being lower, it also has more headroom than before. The rear seats can be moved backwards for extra legroom, or forwards to increase boot capacity.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.8 / 10“Focus-based SUV is good, but lacks the Puma’s sparkle”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-Line“To sum up, then: It looks like a Ford, drives like a Ford but, best of all, it is future-proof. Go check it out.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“At long last, Ford’s crossover family has inherited the all-conquering genes from its hatchback set.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-LineScore: 8 / 10“So far we’ve only tried one engine and trim – the 2.5 Duratec PHEV ST Line – and it’s very competitive to buy and run among other plug-in-hybrid large SUVs. However, the rest of the Ford Kuga package is decent enough but outclassed by bigger, more comfortable and more refined competition.”
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Safety rating

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2019

92%

ADULT OCCUPANT

86%

CHILD OCCUPANT

82%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

73%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

The Ford Kuga 2.0-litre diesel manual ST-Line received a 2.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021. We are currently updating our Euro NCAP database, as the organisation changed its rating system and we need to change our database accordingly to be able to display the new scores.

Green NCAP said: “The Ford Kuga is tested here with a 2.0 litre diesel engine equipped with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. In general, the car performs well, and energy efficiency is impressive for a vehicle in this size category.

“However, despite being equipped with a lean NO_x trap, designed to reduce emissions of the oxides of Nitrogen, these remain a weak-point, reducing the indexes for both Clean Air and Greenhouse Gases and limiting the rating to 2½ stars.”

This rating only applies to the 2.0-litre diesel manual version of the Ford Kuga, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Ford Kuga has received

2021

UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Medium Crossover
What Car? Awards – Best Plug-In Hybrid for Long Distances
What Car? EV Awards – Best Hybrid Large SUV
News UK Motoring Awards – Best Family Car

2020

Auto Express Awards – Best Mid-Size SUV
What Car? Electric Car Awards – Best Plug-In Hybrid Large SUV
Business Car Awards – Best Medium SUV

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