Review: 2015 Ford Kuga

One manufacturer that hit the ground running in 2015 is Ford. Here we are halfway through the year, and already under its belt it has the launch of the highly rated Fusion, a revised lineup of the Transit and Tourneo and a fresh look for the evergreen Focus. And as you read this, the new ST is being unveiled in Durban.

Busy times indeed. On the horizon and before the calendar ticks over to 2016 is the all-new Ranger, the unusual B-MAX and what is perhaps one of the most eagerly anticipated launches for this year by any manufacturer — the all-new Mustang. Sandwiched into this flurry of launches was the introduction earlier this year of a new range of the Ford Kuga. The expanded lineup is now pretty comprehensive, with customers having a choice of three engines: an updated version of the 2.0 TDCi turbo-diesel unit; a new 1.5 EcoBoost petrol engine; and the all-new 2.0 EcoBoost, which is based on the Focus ST.

Models include the Ambiente, Trend and Titanium. Our test unit for a recent weekend jaunt was the 1.5 EcoBoost Trend Auto FWD (R371 900). One of the prettiest drives at this time of the year on the Highveld has to be to Hartbeespoort Dam. The roads, if you go via the R511 past Lanseria Airport — are in pretty reasonable condition with a nice mixture of twists and turns and a couple of reasonable straights. And despite the obvious problems associated with the quality of the dam’s water, it’s still an attractive place to visit, with a host of activities in the region, including a visit to the Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary or the adjoining Elephant Sanctuary, or a champagne cruise on the dam. But to get an eagle’s – eye view of the dam and surrounds, then there’s no better place to do so than by taking the cable car to the top of the Magaliesberg range, and that’s exactly where we headed, in a vehicle ideally suited for outdoor pursuits.

The new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine is a replacement for the previous 1.6-litre power-plant and is hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission — a six-speed manual is available in the Ambiente and is good for 132kW and a punchy 240Nm of torque. Figures supplied by the manufacturer indicate CO2 emissions have dropped by up to 7%, along with fuel consumption from a claimed 6.6 litres per 100km to 6.2 litres. There is a nice high stance to the Kuga, resulting in the driver and passengers having an elevated riding position. The prominent wheel arches and built-in roof rails, coupled with twin tailpipes, help lend the Kuga credentials for the SUV-badge. The interior is roomy and boot space comes in at a handy 456 litres, this goes to 1 653 litres with the rear seats lowered. The medium-sized SUV segment is saturated with newcomers — which is a bonus for the consumer. Standards and quality of workmanship continue to improve and the Kuga sits at the upper end of the spectrum when it comes to looks and finish. Its exterior lines provide a modern appearance while the interior possesses an equal blend of practicality and luxury. Over the past few weeks I’ve been enjoying the minimalistic approach many manufacturers are providing when it comes to their dashboards.

For me it works. The lack of clutter just gives a neater appearance and allows the lines to flow smoother. Mind you, it is a design philosophy that doesn’t suit everyone, with a criticism recently voiced during a panel discussion on Ignition GT, that having all the functions compressed into a central area — normally a touchscreen — requires the driver to take their eye off the road when making a simple adjustment to, for instance, the air-conditioning. It’s a valid point. So if you are a driver who still prefers their dashboards laid out in a more traditional fashion, with a knob, button or switch for every function, then you will love the Kuga’s as there is certainly no shortage. Where the Ford Kuga scores extremely well is on the safety front. It has a Euro NCAP five-star safety rating thanks, in part, to seven airbags, ABS with EBA and EBD, electronic stability programme with traction control and hill launch assist . These features are standard across the range. This vehicle is aimed at young families who put a premium on safety, space, comfort and style, yet still enjoy a bit of light off-road action over the weekend to reach an outdoor pursuit. It’s a combination of elements that fits the Ford Kuga perfectly.

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-Bruce Fraser

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