Kuga’s ‘can-do’ persona

9:44am Friday 2nd May 2008

NEVER MIND Ford's maxim of "feel the difference", you can see the difference in the company's first crossover vehicle, the Kuga. Quite unlike any other SUV on the roads, the Kuga is Ford's illustration that its kinetic design styling works just as well on a 4x4 as its road cars.

Inspired by the iosis X concept car, the result is a contemporary and distinctive looking car, with a well-defined muscular appearance set off by the new face of Ford blazoned across its front.

The new Kuga is Ford's first crossover vehicle that delivers a blend of rewarding on-road driving qualtiy and astonishing off-road capability.

As a crossover vehicle, it's not just about styling but capability too.

Ford says it has biased the Kuga for on road driving dynamics while offering off road abilities, with the intention of creating a vehicle "that will satisfy keen drivers." In truth, it's not too far off the mark. Based on Ford's C-car chassis components, the Kuga handles better than most 4x4s but some of the Focus' driving dynamics seem to have got lost in the Kuga's development.

True, it's bigger, wider and being taller has a higher centre of gravity, so it was never going to handle like a Focus, yet there are some fundamental issues that could be better; the steering feels slightly numb, it has a tendency to understeer and there's a touch too much body roll when cornering. However, drivers can choose from three steering settings, Standard, Comfort and Sport, which vary the amount of power steering assistance by means of weight and resistance.

Steering feel is highly subjective, but fortunately drivers can scroll through the options until they find their preferred style. Nonetheless, Sport mode seems the best option, delivering direct and precise steering, and although the chassis settings don't change, handling improves dramatically.

The Kuga has been equipped with an "on-demand" electronically controlled all wheel drive system that, in conjunction with ESP, transmits torque to the rear wheels when needed to ensure the best traction under cornering and acceleration. The system works well both on road, delivering high levels of traction on tarmac, and when soft roading, since the Kuga copes well in uncomplicated off-road environments.

The figures look good too, not just in terms of its performance, 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds, but with regards to running costs. Its impressive fuel consumption figure of 44.1mpg is further complemented by a low CO2 emission of 169g/km, placing it in a VED tax band well below its rivals. Only one engine is available at launch, a 2.0-litre TDCi with a six speed manual gearbox, although a 2.5-litre turbo petrol will be introduced at the end of the year.

For now, buyers will have to make do with the diesel option and the 134bhp it offers. Admittedly, it doesn't sound like much but overall the engine pulls confidently thanks to the 236lb/ft of torque available at 2,000 rpm. It's a competent and capable cruiser, comfortable too, thanks to a suspension that soaks up bumps adequately, but drivers will still have to change down a gear to nail overtaking manoeuvres efficiently.

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