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Motability

Ford Kuga 4x4 2.0 TDCi Titanium 4WD

For:
The Kuga looks great, has a strong engine and strikes a good balance between comfort and control. It's easy on fuel, too.

Against:
It's not especially practical, there's too much wind noise and prices are high.



Performance

A smooth and punchy 2.0-litre diesel engine is your only option until the end of this year, when a turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol will be added. Most buyers will take the diesel anyway, and not just for running costs. With the gearing Ford has chosen, it is flexible enough to cope with all on-road demands, and quite a few off-road.

Ride & handling

The Kuga has Focus-based suspension, but rides 80mm higher from the ground. It strikes a good balance between comfort and control, but the steering is short of feel and slow to react to inputs. Power is usually sent to the front wheels only, but four-wheel drive automatically cuts in when extra traction is needed.

Refinement

The diesel engine is impressively refined, keeping any noise or vibration down to a minimum. However, the Kuga isn't as good at suppressing road or wind noise. The latter is particularly noticeable at motorway speeds, and can wear you down after a while.

Buying & owning

The Kuga is priced to compete with diesel versions of the Volkswagen Tiguan, so it's far from cheap. However, running costs impress: it averages a very respectable 44.1mpg, and sits four company car tax bands below the Tiguan thanks to lower carbon dioxide emissions. Service intervals are relatively short, though, at 12,500 miles.

Quality & reliability

If you've ever sat in a Ford C-Max, the Kuga's cabin will feel very familiar, because there are only minor detail and trim differences. That means you get solid controls and good-quality materials on the upper dash and door tops. However, the hard plastics used lower down seem to be aimed more at durability. The mechanicals are all proven and shouldn't give trouble.

Safety & security

The Kuga offers the reassurance of four-wheel drive, as well as a stability control system that helps to keep you on the road if conditions are tricky. If you do have an accident, there are six airbags, and the steering wheel has been designed to move sideways away from the driver in a high-speed frontal crash. A sophisticated alarm is fitted as well as the mandatory immobiliser.

Behind the wheel

You get the commanding driving position that's part of the appeal of a 4x4, but you still sit snugly in the seat rather than uncomfortably on it. The range of adjustment and standard switchgear layout are hard to fault, but the touch-screen satellite-navigation system makes things overly complicated. Steeply angled windscreen pillars can block your view at junctions.

Space & practicality

Although the driver is well catered for, rear passengers over six feet tall will find their knees pressing into the seats in front. Luggage space is equally disappointing - at 360 litres, the boot is smaller than a Focus's. However, the split rear seats fold flat, and the Kuga has a tailgate with a separately opening rear screen that makes it easy to load shopping bags.

Equipment

Ford offers just two trims, with cheaper Zetec cars getting alloy wheels, air-conditioning, keyless start, a socket for an MP3 player and bright blue or orange cabin garnishes. The more restrained Titanium adds automatic lights and wipers, tinted glass, part-leather trim, cruise control and dual-zone climate control.

Running Costs

Town mpg

34.9

Out of Town mpg

52.3

Average mpg

44.1

Tank Capacity (gallons)

12.3

CO2 Rating (g/km)

169

Insurance Group

10

Typical Insurance Quote

£462

% Value Retained (3yrs/36,000mls)

44

Typical Contract Hire Rate (pcm)

£475

Pence Per Mile

51.65

Servicing Cost over 3yrs

£916

Servicing Intervals

Variable

Manufacturers Warranty

3yr/60k + 3yr Paint + 12yr Perforation + 1yr Breakdown

Performance & Measurements

Body type

4X4

Number of Doors

5

Number of Seats

5

Engine (cc/type)

1997/4

Fuel Type

Diesel

Max Power (bhp/rpm)

134/4000

Engine Position

F

Driven Wheels

Four

Length (mm)

4443

Width (mm)

1842

Height (mm)

1677

Boot Space (min ltr)

360

Boot Space (max ltr)

1355

Turning Circle (m)

11.6

Towing Weight(kg)

2100

Kerb Weight (kg)

1613

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