Summary
The Ford Kuga is a mid-sized SUV/crossover model, that sits above the Puma in the Ford SUV range. The current model is the third generation, which was launched in the UK in early 2020.
Unlike the previous generation, the new Kuga is available with a petrol/electric plug-in hybrid powertrain, as well as traditional petrol and diesel engines.
The new model was launched in the UK just as the country went into lockdown, so we do not have many media reviews collected so far. Those that have been published to date are mostly reviews of the plug-in hybrid model. We will add in more reviews as they are published, but it does mean that the Kuga’s current Expert Rating of 69% (as of November 2022) could change by a significant degree as the petrol and diesel models are tested by a larger number of websites.
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £28,755 on-road
Launched: Spring 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Vignale
“The Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid is sleek, with a well-made and spacious interior. However, it’s a bit of a letdown behind the wheel.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Ford’s third attempt at the Kuga is easily the best yet. The latest iteration of its family SUV blends great driving dynamics with useful on-board tech, good safety kit and plenty of practicality.”
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Model reviewed: PHEV
Score: 8 / 10
“Ford’s hybrid technology is a useful addition to the Kuga SUV range with the ‘FHEV’ model offering a sharp drive and plenty of kit along with strong economy.”
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Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-Line
Score: 7 / 10
“The Ford Kuga PHEV is at its best when running around in its pure-EV mode. The engine is a little intrusive when it kicks in, and the CVT gearbox doesn’t do the driving experience any favours. Thankfully, the Kuga has a usable electric range, plus enough space for all the family.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“With a plug-in hybrid option as well as the regular petrol and diesel options, the Ford Kuga adds affordable running costs to an already appealing proposition.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Vignale
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Kuga has lost none of its dynamic flair, yet it’s more refined and practical than ever. It’s comfortable, too, Ford’s suspension engineers creating a ride that’s plusher and quieter than most.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel manual Titanium
Score: 8 / 10
“Ford has gone for a rather conservative middle-ground approach in the dynamics department with the Kuga – but we think that’s a good thing. The 1.5-litre 120hp diesel we tested is of a similar ilk; it does what it’s supposed to, to a sensible family car standard.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“In benefit-in-kind terms, a 20% rate payer’s only going to be looking at a £60 monthly bill to run one as a company car. Expect to see a lot of these on the roads this year, just as soon as supply allows post-Coronavirus.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Kuga PHEV is a seriously credible and well-executed model. Not only does it represent good value for money and have a seriously spacious interior, but you also get the possibility of some exceptionally low running costs. If you want a comfortable plug-in hybrid family SUV that could cost you hardly anything to run, this Kuga should definitely be considered.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The latest Ford Kuga is great to drive, good value and practical, so it should prove to be a very popular family SUV”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Ford Kuga is a sleek family SUV which shares a lot of its parts with the Ford Focus. You get the same smart grille, piercing headlights and curves on the side of the car – all of which make the bulky Kuga look like a Focus that’s had one too many pies.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid automatic Vignale
“The new Ford Kuga is a versatile range to suit every powertrain requirement, and offers increased technology and in particular interior accommodation, while retaining the fine-handling character of previous Kugas.”
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid ST-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“Good to drive, cheap to run and the move to the Focus floorpan equals an impressively spacious interior. Needs more performance and sharper looks to be king.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Whichever Ford Kuga you opt for, it’s a strong contender in the increasingly competitive SUV sector. It also represents decent value for money, although it’ll be a while before it represents a bargain on the used car market.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Longer and wider than the current model, the Kuga offers more room inside for front and rear passengers. Despite being lower, it also has more headroom than before. The rear seats can be moved backwards for extra legroom, or forwards to increase boot capacity.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Focus-based SUV is good, but lacks the Puma’s sparkle”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-Line
“To sum up, then: It looks like a Ford, drives like a Ford but, best of all, it is future-proof. Go check it out.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid ST-Line X Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Kuga is well equipped, smart to look at, easy to drive and rather more involving than a hybrid SUV has any right to be. If you want to be sensible, look elsewhere – but if you’re prepared to throw a little bit of caution to the wind in favour of a grin on your face from time to time, the Kuga should be on your list.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“At long last, Ford’s crossover family has inherited the all-conquering genes from its hatchback set.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid ST-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“So far we’ve only tried one engine and trim – the 2.5 Duratec PHEV ST Line – and it’s very competitive to buy and run among other plug-in-hybrid large SUVs. However, the rest of the Ford Kuga package is decent enough but outclassed by bigger, more comfortable and more refined competition.”
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 92%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 82%
Safety assist: 73%
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 2.0-litre diesel manual ST-Line
Overall score: 2.5 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 5.8 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 1.8 / 10
The Ford Kuga 2.0-litre diesel manual ST-Line received a 2.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021. We are currently updating our Euro NCAP database, as the organisation changed its rating system and we need to change our database accordingly to be able to display the new scores.
Green NCAP said: “The Ford Kuga is tested here with a 2.0 litre diesel engine equipped with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. In general, the car performs well, and energy efficiency is impressive for a vehicle in this size category.
“However, despite being equipped with a lean NOx trap, designed to reduce emissions of the oxides of Nitrogen, these remain a weak-point, reducing the indexes for both Clean Air and Greenhouse Gases and limiting the rating to 2½ stars.”
This rating only applies to the 2.0-litre diesel manual version of the Ford Kuga, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range.
As of November 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the current Ford Kuga to generate a reliability rating. The previous model was pretty much bang-on average in reliability terms.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusive from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the Kuga, we’ll publish the score here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Ford Kuga has received
2021
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Medium Crossover
- What Car? Awards – Best Plug-In Hybrid for Long Distances
- What Car? EV Awards – Best Hybrid Large SUV
- News UK Motoring Awards – Best Family Car
2020
- Auto Express Awards – Best Mid-Size SUV
- What Car? Electric Car Awards – Best Plug-In Hybrid Large SUV
- Business Car Awards – Best Medium SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford Kuga, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C5 Aircross | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Tucson | Jeep Compass | Kia Sportage | Mazda CX-5 | MG HS | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Nissan Qashqai | Peugeot 3008 | Renault Kadjar | SEAT Ateca | Skoda Karoq | SsangYong Korando | Subaru XV | Suzuki S-Cross | Toyota C-HR | Vauxhall Grandland X | Volkswagen Tiguan
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