Ford Kuga 2.5 Turbo Road Review

By alwi on February 16, 2010 in Featured Articles, Local news / no comments

Ford Kuga

The Ford Kuga, an intelligent All Wheel Drive (AWD) crossover – a vehicle with awesome ‘go anywhere’ capabilities that also looks truly beautiful. The dramatic, sleek body wraps a luxurious cabin filled with ingenious features.

Starting the Kuga is simple. So long as you have your key in your car with you, security-encrypted sensors automatically ready the engine when they detect your unique key code. Simply engage the clutch and push the FordPower Starter Button to start your car. Being security-encrypted, means no one else can drive off in your vehicle – even in the unlikely event that they manage to get through the alarm and locks.

Ford Kuga Key

Most Kuga’s — despite the echoes of ‘cougar’ in the name — will be found inhabiting more civilised surroundings. With a chassis that has much in common with Europe’s best-selling car — the Focus ( Fifth Gear Best Family Vehicle ) — it’s not such a big surprise to find that the Kuga delivers similar predictable driving dynamics to those of its well-respected stablemate.

On rough terrain, No complaints, either, about the ride (even on the test car’s 18-inch alloys fitted with 235/50 rubber), which is well damped, rarely ruffled and keeps all travellers comfortable. The bodyshell feels stiff — in a well-put-together way — even traipsing over rutted ‘Kampong’ tracks. For most of the time, sharp bumps and bad holes are soaked up without any jarring. And even the bad ones are smoothed out.

The Kuga is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine that’s basically a detuned version of the motor that propels the Focus ST and RS. The five-pot provided plenty of overtaking urge, and plenty of character, even if it’s a mite more muffled than in the hot Focuses. It felt at ease going up the hill. And it does provide four-wheel drive, although the electronically-controlled Haldex clutch usually sends more than 95 per cent of the engine’s torque to the front wheels, the rear axle playing a greater role only when needed.

Of course this is not a sports car, but the Kuga has no problem keeping up with the other traffic. When the driver is in a hurry, the Kuga know how to maintain a break neck pace.

The clean, ergonomic design of the instrument panel and centre stack converge into a large centre console for maximum accessible storage. All interior components contribute to a comfortable surrounding for the driver and front seat passenger.

The interior of the Kuga has been as meticulously thought through and designed as the exterior.

Center Console – In keeping with the Kuga’s bold and energetic design, the instruments are contoured, sporty and perfectly positioned so they’re more intuitive to use. A warm red light has been added to the instrument cluster, making the dials easier to see at night, as well as making them kinder on the eyes.

Ford Kuga offers a new convenience feature for its segment called ’liftgate in liftgate’. This provides the ability to open a portion of the liftgate for access to the main luggage compartment whilst parked in height-restricted conditions.