The New Ford Kuga: Significant Upgrades and Lower Price Tag.

 

The updated Ford Kuga is set to hit the UK market soon, more than a year after its debut in the US as the latest Ford Escape.

The most prominent change is the introduction of Ford's Sync4 infotainment system. This system, featuring a 13.2-inch touchscreen in a landscape orientation, is a significant upgrade with double the computing power compared to the outgoing Sync3 system. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant.

While the SUV's engine lineup remains mostly unchanged, there are slight improvements in fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The base 1.5-liter Ecoboost and the front-wheel-drive hybrid now offer an additional 2mpg compared to the previous models.

Ford emphasizes the Kuga's towing capabilities, boasting a best-in-class capacity of 2100kg (in four-wheel-drive hybrid and front-wheel-drive plug-in-hybrid versions). In comparison, the new Volkswagen Tiguan can tow up to 2000kg, while the Kia Sportage can manage up to 1500kg.

The new sat-nav functionality allows drivers to input their vehicle and trailer dimensions, helping plan a route that avoids tight turns and low bridges.

Despite the industry's trend of increasing prices, the new Kuga is slightly more affordable than before. The entry-level Titanium model starts at £32,080, which is £1300 less than the previous pricing.

Additionally, a new Active trim joins the SUV's lineup, offering a more rugged appearance alongside the sportier ST-Line. However, the range-topping Vignale has been discontinued. ford everest ford everest raptor