An SUV for cities

Dec 21 2009 Alistair Coull

THE love affair with SUVs hardly appears to have been dented during these belt-tightening times.

In the UK, at least, the sector seems to be bearing up, which is good for Ford's late arrival into the soft-roader camp.

The Kuga 4x4 was launched two years ago and is now available in two wheel drive, but with a £2,000 cheaper price tag over it's all-wheel-drive siblings.

Apart from the 4x4 system, punters will get exactly the same deal with the two-wheel-drive only version.

The 2WD option reveals that it can boast many of the same driving attributes. Its 2.0-litre, 134bhp diesel unit still feels just as perky, if not more so, propelling the SUV from 0-62mph in a not unreasonable 10.6 seconds, given its bulky shape - and taking the Ford to a top speed of 113mph.

The Kuga still handles well, with roll and yaw well under control despite the SUV's high-set position, tallish architecture and bulky contours.

Ride comfort, again, remains exceptionally good with the 2WD Kuga soaking up lumpy roads and crater-strewn routes.

Steering is very car-like. It is smooth, light and precise - though not as involving as you might like, and it is lively enough to make it a fun, pretend 4x4 but without having to fork out the extra £2,000 for the 4WD mechanics.

Even without the 4x4 technology, the 2WD Kuga boasts lots of safety features to give you peace of mind including ABS and ESP - incorporating Brake Lock Differential (BLD) which enhances traction performance on two-wheel-drive models.

The six-speed transmission is straightforward, braking is inspiring, while towing weight capacity is an impressive two tons.

Right from the early days, the Kuga had a semi-premium feel to it and this air of quality and luxury - continues in the cabin. It's a nice place to be, with generous glass area all round and in this Titanium-trimmed test car enhanced by the superb, optional panoramic glass roof - complete with twin manual blinds. The interior looks smart, upmarket, modern and classy.

Liveried in Titanium trim, it provides part leather upholstery and lots of leather adornments, blue-tinted glass, cruise control, auto lights and auto wipers, 17-inch alloys, keyless start and upmarket Sony CD DAB audio. But there's lots more on the option list to personalise the Kuga.

Average fuel figures are given as 44.1mpg, but the Kuga's 400-mile runabout panned out nearer the 38mpg mark. Still a good result and with the Kuga 2WD's improved CO2 emissions of 159g/km, its sporty, hunky off-road looks and a £2000 cheaper price tag, its bound to be a winner. Ford think so and reckon that 30% of all Kuga sales this year will be made up of 2WD versions.

- Val Jessop

FORDS are as common as Tesco carrier bags around Britain's busy streets. And the secret of their success lies in the simple truth that you might have what everyone else has got, but it never let it feel that way.

This is down to a combination of clever marketing, extensive choice and sheer good value.

Take the Kuga, the Blue Oval's late entry into the chock-full-of-choice crossover market, and its only 4WD car on sale in the UK.

There's six models, and two engines, including the lead-in two-wheel-drive version, yet with plenty of extra-cost add-ons available and a generous colour palette, no Kuga buyer is going to feel part of the common crossover herd.

The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel two-wheeler puts the 'same, but different' argument across perfectly. This 134bhp Kuga is good for townies who rarely travel into the countryside, for it loses the complexity and maintenance/repair needs of its four-wheel-drive siblings, while delivering around five per cent improvement on economy.

Power goes via the six-speed manual gearbox to the front wheels, which will be appreciated when city streets are icy. covered in ice or slush.

Yet the torque output remains impressive, with the maximum on tap at just 2,000rpm, meaning no flinching under a full load, and it will easily haul a caravan.

The two-wheel-drive's official fuel figure of 44.1mpg overall is acceptable for the segment, while the top speed runs to 113mph, and the 0-62mph time is 10.6 seconds.

It fully obeys the prime cross-over commandment - by doing its best to drive like a car.

The Kuga isn't as impressive when put through the handling hoops as that other sizeable Ford, the S-Max people carrier, even though its extra height, at 1.71 metres, doesn't prompt too much body roll on corners.

Ford now offers a 2.5-litre petrol 4WD alternative to the TDCi, but at £5,000 more and with a climate-clogging thirst of 28.5mpg, why, you wonder, did it bother?

Kuga trims are down to just two: the adequately equipped Zetec or, as on test, the superior Titanium, with its quality Sony sound system, added touches of leather and a little more in the way of creature comforts, such as a rear armrest and more storage opportunities.

Settle for Zetec, it's a good all-rounder - provided you can live without automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers - and this lead-in two-wheel-drive diesel model sells for around £21,000.

Ford's options list presents the chance to fully personalise a Kuga, and the test car added a panoramic sunroof, premium satnav system and rear privacy glass to give the standard specification a bit of polish.

Of the 10 or so paint choices, I would avoid the standard Frozen White - it spoils the Kuga's clean, fresh, eye-catching lines and detracts a little from the crossover's excellent build quality.

All other colours are extra-cost metallics, so stump up - and go for Vision Blue if you really want to make an impression.

- Alistair Coull

FAST FACTS

Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi 2WD

Price: £22,445

Mechanical: 134bhp, 1,997cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 113mph

0-62mph: 10.6 seconds

Combined mpg: 44.1

Insurance group: 10

CO2 emissions: 159g/km

BIK rating: 17%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles