The new Kuga is safer and roomier than before. Less fun, but a better family car
Pros Safer, more affordable, more spacious and more convenient than before
Cons Not as fun as it used to be. It's grown up and got some proper trousers...
The Ford Kuga has recently been facelifted to keep it competitive, but its dashboard still lags behind some rivals.With attractive styling, decent practicality and an impressive safety record, the Kuga is a convincing family SUV. It can't quite match the extremely high all-round standards of some of its latest rivals – the SEAT Ateca in particular – but for the right deal it's worth considering.
PROS Good value and well equipped Economical diesel engines Spacious interior
CONS Too many buttons inside Outshone by several rivals Inferior automatic gearboxes
Amongst other family SUVs, the previous Ford Kuga was a good looking car. Now, though, it’s even more distinctive to look at and its engine choices are bang up to date.
Pros Good fun to drive for an SUV Keen price and generous equipment Plug-in hybrid has a decent electric range
Cons Alternatives have plusher interiors Smaller boot than alternatives Poor tow rating for plug-in hybrid
The top-of-the line variant is equipped with smart entry; dual A/C; eight speakers, 17-inch alloys; the highest ground clearance in its class; and count them, 13 cup holders! Apparently, hydration is a big deal in Indonesia—the country where the Rush is built. There’s also an AC power port on each row, so that every passenger can charge their devices. The high-tech stuff comes in the form of traction control and hill-start assist. And the brake lights are LEDs with an emergency stop function. The head unit is of the touchscreen variety, with a setting that can mirror your smartphone. The Rush is easy to maneuver, thanks to its tiny turning radius. When it comes to safety, it has traction control; hill-start assist; six airbags; and an exceptional crash rating. It really feels like a high-riding Vios, though. It is pretty cool to see the subcompact sedan’s engine sitting longitudinally—there’s so much space for working under the hood, by the way—and the likeness goes all the way into the interior. The dashboard has the same kind of faux stitching on the dashboard. Other niggles are the tilt-only steering column, and the basic four-speed automatic.
