Crisp styling updates give the new Ford Kuga a fresh and eye-catching appearance. There’s also a rugged-look new Active variant, to underline its all-roads family SUV credentials.
The family-friendly new Ford Kuga has improved interior tech too, while an updated range of petrol engines includes both hybrid and plug-in hybrid choices.
The new Ford Kuga update is to ensure it is fighting fit to challenge this year’s all-new Volkswagen Tiguan. A new Peugeot 3008 range is coming in 2024 too.
Other competitive challengers include the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Austral, plus the Skoda Karoq and sporty Cupra Ateca.
The new Ford Kuga is on sale now, with a UK release date expected in the spring.
New Ford Kuga prices are actually lower than before. The range starts from £32,080 for the new Ford Kuga 1.5 Titanium, which represents a price cut of around £1300.
The new Ford Kuga has a distinctive appearance thanks to the addition of an eye-catching full-width LED light bar at the front. This sits above a new front grille design, which now has a large Ford blue oval logo set within.
The regular new Ford Kuga Titanium is offered alongside a sporty-look new Ford Kuga ST-Line – and a fresh addition to the range is the new Ford Kuga Active. This model emphasises its SUV credentials with a more rugged appearance both outside and in.
Inside, the new Ford Kuga has a fully-overhauled infotainment system. The outgoing Ford Sync3 system has been upgraded to the cutting-edge Ford Sync4 setup. This has more than twice the computing power and includes 5G connectivity for fast access to information and cloud-based sat nav.
The new Ford Kuga’s infotainment touchscreen is now much bigger, at 13.2-inches, and the distinctive portrait-style format means it will be easier to use. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard as well – and Alexa Built-in is also standard, so passengers can make commands and ask questions even without a smartphone connected.
Safety tech has been improved on the new Ford Kuga. Next-generation Adaptive Cruise Control can now apply the brakes automatically when it detects curves and junctions, as well as other cars. There’s a 360-degree parking camera too.
Optional Dynamic Pixel LED headlights use a windscreen-mounted camera to read road signs and alter the light pattern when pedestrians, cyclists, curves, junctions and roundabouts are detected.
The new Ford Kuga has sliding rear seats, which can either expand the 412-litre boot by 150 litres to a voluminous 553 litres, or expand legroom to more than a metre. Up front, optional new comport seats are approved by a leading spinal health organisation.
The new Ford Kuga has an all-petrol engine line-up. Choices include a regular turbo petrol, which is the most affordable choice, plus both hybrid and plug-in hybrid motors.
The entry-level engine in the new Ford Kuga is the 1.5-litre Ecoboost, which produces 150PS for 0-62mph performance in 9.5 seconds. It averages an improved 44.8mpg, and emits from 144g/km CO2. It has a six-speed manual gearbox – an automatic option is unavailable with this engine.
The new Ford Kuga Hybrid uses a 2.5-litre petrol engine and comes with an automatic gearbox as standard. The front-wheel drive (FWD) version produces 180PS, for 0-62mph performance in 9.1 seconds. It emits from 121g/km CO2 and averages 53.3mpg.
The new Ford Kuga Hybrid AWD (all-wheel drive) produces 183PS, with 0-62mph performance in 8.3 seconds. It averages 49.5mpg and emits from 130g/km CO2. Both new Ford Kuga Hybrid have a ‘self-charging’ battery that gives a degree of low-speed electric driving without having to be plugged in.
The new Ford Kuga Plug-in Hybrid also uses a 2.5-litre petrol engine, along with a powerful electric motor that delivers a total power of 243PS. It’s the fastest new Ford Kuga, with 0-62mph performance in 7.3 seconds. It’s also the most fuel-efficient, with official fuel economy of 313mpg and CO2 emissions from 20g/km.
The new Ford Kuga Plug-in Hybrid is so efficient because it also has a 14.4kWh battery, that delivers a pure electric driving range of 43 miles. It means that on the official fuel economy test, it runs mainly as an EV – as it will for customers who are able to plug it in and charge it up each night. Meanwhile, the petrol engine gives it a total range of more than 550 miles.
For those towing a caravan, the new Ford Kuga Hybrid AWD and Plug-in Hybrid both have an improved maximum towing weight of 2100kg. This is more than enough to easily haul even a large caravan or horsebox.
The new Ford Kuga’s suspension has been honed to ensure it remains an engaging family SUV to drive. New Ford Kuga ST-Line models have lower suspension for an even sportier feel. Meanwhile, new Ford Kuga Active models have good ground clearance to deliver all-roads SUV ability.
A used Ford Kuga is a tempting buy, as the current model was introduced in 2020 and remains a fresh and stylish-looking machine. A 2020 Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost 150, with around 30,000 miles on the clock, can be yours from around £16,000. There’s a good selection of used Ford Kuga PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) models on sale too, and these will set you back from upwards of £21,000. A used Ford Kuga is the only way to get a diesel engine too, as the new Ford Kuga range is now petrol-only.
The new Vauxhall Corsa Hybrid is a fuel-saving alternative to the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, for those not yet ready to go fully EV. We have also revealed all you need to know about the new Volkswagen Tiguan, and taken a first look at the new MINI Aceman. There’s a new Volkswagen Transporter van coming soon too. Be sure to check out all the new car news, and the latest car deals, here at heycar.
The new Ford Kuga aims to continue the success of the current model, which is a regular top-10 best-seller in the UK. Used Ford Kuga are also among the most in-demand secondhand cars in the UK, selling from dealer forecourts quicker than almost any other used car in the country.
The new Ford Kuga is built around three core models – the mainstream Titanium, sporty ST-line and new, rugged-look Active.
Ford no longer offers a Kuga with a diesel engine. The all-petrol line-up comprises a regular turbo motor, plus hybrid and plug-in hybrid choices.
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