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
The T-Roc may be among the most significant of many new Volkswagen models, even if it won’t be sold in the United States in the foreseeable future. It’s a new crossover that is roughly the same size as the Golf and is based on the same MQB architecture. For now, at least, the Golf will remain the mainstay of the brand’s lineup, but those within the company who are concerned with sales-growth rates are far more interested in the crossover-SUV segment nearly everywhere on the globe.
Pros Golf-like driving dynamics, decent packaging, adventurous design (for VW).
Cons Only average interior quality, firm ride, we likely won’t get it.
The T-Roc is a small family car that blends the high driving position and big boot of an SUV with the economical engines from a conventional small car. It is quite expensive, however…
Pros More comfortable than alternatives Well equipped as standard Decent range of engines
Cons Cheap-feeling interior plastics Alternatives are cheaper Back seats could be more spacious
The Volkswagen T-Roc looks good, drives well and offers plenty of space, but it's pricey and some rivals have a nicer interior.
Pros Easy to personalise Good to drive Stylish
Cons Expensive Interior quality issues Rivals offer better value