Ford Kuga. Mission accomplished

I admit, I set off to get acquainted with the Ford Kuga with considerable curiosity. On the one hand, Ford Motor Co., after the Maverick suddenly disappeared from our market, never pleased buyers with a compact all-wheel-drive SUV (by the way, don't consider the Kuga the Maverick's heir — that role was later to be played by the "American" Escape). On the other hand, many had already predicted the Kuga would rival the Nissan Qashqai, which, judging by the queues, had practically captured the compact crossover market. Moreover, the appearance of a new player in the segment of affordable and versatile cars is always interesting in itself.

At a base price of 880,000 rubles, the "live" Ford Kuga didn't deliver any stunning surprises — it's far from the "killer low" price of the Qashqai. But, as it turned out, Ford's folks weren't aiming at Nissan's wunderkind, but rather at more solid "soft-roaders," particularly the Toyota RAV4. And to seriously spoil life for competitors, the Kuga has plenty of trump cards hidden up its sleeve.

For example, the newcomer is quite attractive. Some might object, citing differences in taste, but I'm sure most will appreciate the Kuga's striking kinetic design, especially the expressive "corporate face" of the crossover, whose "crystal eyes" of the headlights are full of automotive modernism and style. The car's appearance, created based on the iosisX concept shown in Paris in 2006, is swift and assertive. Perhaps only a slight hint of heaviness in the profile, likely caused by the creators' desire to increase the body volume, adds a touch of imbalance to the harmonious portrait. However, talking about the hippopotamus-like heaviness inherent in some opponents is simply inappropriate here.

At a glance, you wouldn't say it, but the Kuga has outgrown its design benchmark from the Land of the Rising Sun in all dimensions. Unsurprisingly, claustrophobia doesn't threaten even very large people in the car's cabin. And I, being nearly 1.9 meters tall, was able to sit comfortably "behind myself," mentally still in the front seat. And "in front of myself" too. Moreover, the seat adjustment range wasn't fully exhausted. Of course, the space in the Kuga isn't limitless, and no matter how you look at it, a third passenger in the back row, if not a child or slim, will be extra. Same story with the trunk. Its capacity raises no complaints either in normal or, especially, cargo mode (when the folded second row forms an impressive compartment with a flat floor).

But, excuse me, where's the spare tire? It's replaced by a repair kit with adhesive fluid for pumping into a damaged wheel. By the way, cars for Russia are planned to be equipped with a space-saver spare, which is certainly better, but still not ideal for our conditions. However, the Kuga is equipped with a convenient fifth door that opens both fully and partially. Moreover, when opening the upper segment, say, for loading groceries, only a narrow opening is formed, necessary for that operation. To widen the access area, one finger press is enough, and the curtain masking the cargo rolls back into the trunk. The cabin ergonomics — whether it's the seat architecture or the layout of controls — seems quite well thought out and doesn't cause irritation, perhaps, in anything. Buttons and knobs are in place, instruments are readable, and there are enough compartments for small items — what more could you want? By the way, the mentioned wheel repair kit is hidden in a container under the feet of the left rear passenger. And the first aid kit is located symmetrically on the right.

The quality of finishing materials meets the canons of civilized society, thanks to which the living area of the crossover looks quite neat. There are two trim levels for the Kuga. Even the first, Trend, which includes, for example, power accessories, air conditioning, ABS, and stability control systems, allows you not to feel deprived. But if you want more — alloy wheels, bi-xenon, or dual-zone climate control — you should turn to the rich Titanium trim or "stuff" the car with countless options. Among them, by the way, there are interesting ones, like a transparent panoramic roof or a full 230-volt 150-watt socket for connecting a vacuum cleaner, laptop, etc.

Some inconvenience is caused by the procedure of opening the hood. It's traditional Ford: with the ignition key behind the folding emblem. But with keyless engine start via a button, which the Kuga is equipped with, the key is made in the form of a fob with an integrated blade. Using this device isn't quite handy. Plus, the wipers, whose arms, when deflected at a very small angle (for example, to wipe the glass), hit the hood edge. One can only hope for the service position of the wipers.

The Ford Kuga is equipped with a 2-liter turbodiesel engine with 136 hp and a 6-speed manual transmission. In principle, the combination is just right. The engine, purring pleasantly like a well-fed bear, pulls the 1600-kilogram "Kuga" assertively during acceleration, at speed, and off-road. No wonder: 320 Nm of maximum torque is available already at 2000 rpm. Sitting behind the wheel, you physically feel the irrepressible power potential. And focusing on the low fuel consumption, you get double pleasure. However, the swiftness with which the engine, revved during active driving, skips the working rev range and hits the limiter at five thousand and a bit rpm is a bit confusing. Often because of this, for example during overtaking, you have to shift up a gear inopportunely. However, doing it is a pleasure: the gearbox operates with precision Ford clarity. The steering wheel is also good. Moderately sharp, moderately compliant, it's comfortable in hands and can be adjusted in effort via the onboard computer menu settings. Nothing bad, except good, can be said about the cabin sound insulation and the brakes controlled by safety systems.

Being elastically rigid and at the same time energy-intensive, the suspension dampens body oscillations on bumps quite well, but on a wavy road in a high-speed turn, the crossover is prone to diagonal rocking. The suspension's capabilities allow for spirited driving on dirt roads, although on serious potholes, breakdowns occasionally occur. The Kuga doesn't shy away from relative off-road. It's safe to say that the automatic all-wheel-drive system, which instantly transfers torque from the front axle to the rear wheels (up to 50%) via an electronically controlled Haldex coupling, will allow you to reach a snowy dacha, crawl along a muddy dirt road to your favorite forest, or get to a sandy lake shore for fishing. The 188-millimeter ground clearance is a bit concerning. However, the road clearance is quite sufficient to overcome most "cataclysms." Including water obstacles, when the high-mounted engine air intake is pleasing, allowing movement through fords up to 45 cm deep.

Overall, the Ford Kuga leaves a pleasant impression and, as they say, fits both here and there. It's attractive, practical, lively, and versatile. But the main question: what kind of buyer is it intended for? It seems that in its current form, this car will primarily interest those seeking adventures outside the city. Fans of gloss and lovers of maximum comfort will surely sigh for an automatic transmission. However, upon learning that an automatic and a gasoline engine will appear in the Kuga later, many of them will likely not resist the temptation to purchase this attractive novelty right now. In any case, there's no doubt: the "double agent" Kuga will successfully carry out its mission to win buyers' hearts.

Nuances

Ford Kuga is the first compact soft-roader produced by Ford of Europe. Engineers based it on the well-known Focus and C-MAX models. The front fenders are plastic, which reduces overall weight and minimizes damage in an accident. Production of this crossover is established exclusively in Germany.

Driving
The Kuga briskly accelerates, responds excellently to the steering, and brakes confidently. Body roll in corners remains within reasonable limits.

Interior
Inside, it's quite spacious, everything is convenient and well-equipped. Among the interesting options are a 230 V socket and a panoramic glass roof.

Comfort
The car rides quite comfortably. Special mention deserves excellent noise and vibration insulation.

Safety
The Ford Kuga is equipped with a full set of passive and active safety systems.

Price
The crossover's price is comparable to most of its direct competitors.

Pros and Cons

+ Attractive appearance, spacious cabin, economical fuel consumption.
- Inconvenient hood opening mechanism, "short" gear ratios, relatively high price.

Specifications

Make and model: Ford Kuga
Dimensions: 4443x1842x1710 mm
Engine: turbodiesel, inline, 4-cylinder, 1997 cm³, 136 hp/4000 rpm
Transmission: manual, 6-speed
Dynamics: max 180 km/h; 0-100 km/h — 10.7 s
Competitors: Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Our Verdict

Ford Kuga is an expressive, comfortable, and well-equipped crossover with thoughtful ergonomics and an excellent balance between highway and off-road manners. Without a doubt, this car will have many fans. The only thing that is a bit confusing is the rather high starting price of 880,000 rubles.