Top Of Two
by David Finlay (29 Jul 08)

For a major manufacturer, Ford has taken so long to enter the compact SUV market that you have to wonder if someone forgot to set the alarm clock. The delay would seem ridiculous but for one thing - after that long wait, the Kuga has turned out to be really pretty good.

Based on the platform also used for the Focus, the Kuga is distinctive-looking (in a good way, though I don't think "beautiful" is quite the right word), it's well-equipped, it feels very solidly built, and it's one of the best of its type on the market to drive.

The usual way of things with Fords is that each range has an enormous number of models to choose from. There are several hundred thousands different kinds of Fiesta, for example, and a couple of million Mondeos. But there are only two Kugas, and they both use the same 134bhp two-litre turbo diesel engine (a 198bhp 2.5-litre petrol unit will join the range later this year, though I can't imagine why anyone would prefer it) with a manual gearbox and part-time four-wheel drive.

That 4x4 system distributes up to 50% of the engine's power to the real wheels when required, though at heart the Kuga is really a front-wheel drive car. You'll gather from this that nobody is expecting it to be up to much as an off-roader, but since the ground clearance is substantial and the front and rear overhangs about as short as they could reasonably be expected to be, there's at least the potential to wander some way off the tarmac if the mood takes you.

In more civilised driving conditions the Kuga turns out to be very surprising. If you find yourself having to tug sharply on the steering wheel you'll soon realise the handling deficiencies of a vehicle that is so tall in comparison with its other dimensions, but in more normal driving both the ride and the cornering ability are exceptionally good.

More . . .

Back to Ford Road Test index
Back to main Road Test index