The Latest Ford Kuga Introduces Significant Improvements Alongside a More Affordable Price Tag

 The revamped Ford Kuga is about to hit the market in the UK, more than a year after its debut in the US as the latest Ford Escape.

The major update is the introduction of Ford's Sync4 infotainment system. Similar to the one found in the Ford Focus and Ford E-Transit, it features a 13.2-inch touchscreen in landscape orientation, boasting double the computing power of the previous Sync3 system. All physical climate controls, except for the front-window demister, have made their way to the touchscreen. Meanwhile, the controls for driving modes, rear-view camera, and 360-degree camera, previously on the Kuga's center console, are now positioned next to the demister button, leaving behind a small storage cubby.

Beyond the interior tweaks, the facelifted Kuga introduces a new four-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain. While it maintains the same 180bhp as the front-wheel-drive hybrid (a slight dip from the old model), it shaves 0.8 seconds off the 0-62mph sprint time, now clocking in at 8.3 seconds. The rest of the SUV's engine lineup remains unchanged, with minor enhancements in fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The entry-level 1.5-litre Ecoboost and the front-wheel-drive hybrid both deliver an extra 2mpg compared to the previous models.

Ford is underscoring the Kuga's towing prowess, claiming a best-in-class capacity of 2100kg (in four-wheel-drive hybrid and front-wheel-drive plug-in-hybrid versions). For comparison, the new Volkswagen Tiguan can tow up to 2000kg, while the Kia Sportage can handle up to 1500kg.

The new sat-nav functionality enables drivers to input the dimensions of their car and trailer, devising a route that avoids tight turns and low bridges. Despite the industry's trend of increasing prices, the new Kuga comes in at a slightly lower cost than before. The entry-level Titanium model starts at £32,080, a £1300 reduction from the previous price.

Adding to the SUV's lineup is a new Active trim, contributing a more robust appearance alongside the sportier ST-Line. However, the range-topping Vignale has been discontinued.

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