Amit Saraswat 
The revamped Ford Kuga is set to make its debut in the UK shortly, following its introduction in the US over a year ago as the latest Ford Escape. Ford wants to continue the stride of selling the most number of plug-in-hybrids in the UK with the updated Ford Kuga.
One of the primary modifications is the incorporation of Ford’s Sync4 infotainment system. Featuring a 13.2-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen, the system boasts double the computing power of its predecessor, Sync3. Noteworthy features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with integration with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant.
Following the universal trend, Ford has changed the placement of physical climate controls, now predominantly on the touchscreen, excluding the front-window demister. The controls for driving modes and 360-degree camera, previously on the centre console, have been repositioned alongside the demister button, creating space for a small storage cubby.
In addition to the interior alterations, the updated Kuga introduces a four-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain. Despite sharing the same 180PS output as its front-wheel-drive hybrid counterpart (a slight dip from the previous model), the four-wheel-drive hybrid manages to trim the 0-62mph acceleration time to 8.3 seconds, a notable 0.8 seconds faster.
Ford highlights the Kuga’s towing capabilities, asserting its best-in-class towing capacity of 2100kg in the four-wheel-drive hybrid and front-wheel-drive plug-in-hybrid configurations. For context, competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan can tow up to 2000kg, while the Kia Sportage manages up to 1500kg.
A notable addition is the new sat-nav functionality that enables drivers to input their vehicle and trailer dimensions, facilitating a route that avoids challenging turns and low bridges. Despite prevailing industry trends towards escalating prices, the new Kuga surprisingly comes with a slightly lower price tag. The base Titanium model starts at GBP 32,080, reflecting a GBP 1300 reduction compared to its predecessor. Additionally, a new Active trim joins the SUV’s lineup, contributing a more rugged aesthetic alongside the sportier ST-Line.
The facelifted Ford Kuga introduces significant interior changes, an enhanced hybrid powertrain, and improved towing capabilities, all while maintaining a relatively neutral stance in terms of pricing within the competitive SUV market.
