2016 Ford Kuga |
The current Ford Kuga has been around since 2012, however Ford has finally seen suited update the automotive with a replacement look and additional instrumentality. will it keep the crossover competitive against a spate of additional fashionable rivals? We’ve driven it to seek out out.
Staying recent is essential within the Kuga’s category, because the mid-size SUV phase is one among the foremost standard in Europe. It rivals the SEAT Ateca, Peugeot 3008, Renault Kadjar and Nisan Qashqai among others - and with new contenders showing frequently, there’s an enormous quantity of selection for consumers here.
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The recent Kuga was setting out to look rather dated, particularly next to cars like the recently-launched 3008 – that the new car’s updated grille, new lights and reshaped tailgate area unit an enormous and. They’re up up to now with the sharp-looking Edge, and provides the smaller SUV additional presence on the road.
Unfortunately, it’s not identical story on the within. whereas the changes within the cabin area unit welcome - the new synchronize three touchscreen show could be a huge improvement over the fiddly recent system - newer cars like the SEAT and Peugeot area unit miles prior to the Ford’s dated, cheap-looking style.
The materials in our Titanium-spec check automotive were of fine quality, and therefore the animal skin trim improves things, however there’s an excessive amount of unsmooth black plastic and therefore the button-heavy dashboard appears even uglier than before due to the neat, clean styles in newer rivals. it's simple to use, that beats the 3008’s fiddly touchscreen system, however the Ateca proves that buttons and switches will facilitate the dash look sensible likewise as being practical.
The seats – electrically operated in our automotive – area unit comfy, however, and it’s simple to seek out an honest driving position within the Kuga. whereas we’ve not tested the new model within the kingdom nonetheless, ride quality over the rutty Slovenian roads on our check route was pretty sensible – and road noise is quiet, with just some wind noise intrusive at higher speed.
Yet whereas there’s some body appear corners due to that comfort-focused suspension, the Kuga remains sensible to drive. The steering is well-weighted and consistent, the gearstick is sleek and satisfying and there’s lots of grip.