Here’s Why The 2021 Ford Kuga Is A Practical Family Car

Ford’s full-hybrid Kuga delivers on its promise of being a cost-effective family SUV, with low running expenses for those who don’t want to make the switch to a plug-in electric vehicle just yet.

The Ford Kuga not only belongs to the super-trendy huge SUV car class, but it also has additional appeal since it is available as a plug-in hybrid.

Since 2008, Ford has primarily built the automobile for the European market. There is front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive available. It was offered in North America as the Ford Escape in the 2012/2013 model year.

Throughout 2008, the Kuga was hampered by growing competition from vehicles such as the Peugeot 3008, Renault Kadjar, and Kia Sportage. Its uninspiring appearance, outmoded technology, and loss of its rapid driving abilities did nothing to help its cause.

The Ford Kuga for 2021 has come a long way. The designers have concentrated their efforts in all critical areas, giving the Kuga eye-catching good looks, decent levels of standard equipment, an efficient range of engines, and excellent safety credentials.

The Ford Kuga is a family SUV with one feature that sets it apart from others in its class — pleasant handling. It drives almost as quickly as a Ford Focus, but it has the utility and looks of an SUV.

Let’s take a closer look at the 2021 Ford Kuga and why it’s a good family car.

The Classic & Simple Design Of The Ford Kuga

The 2021 Kuga is much bigger than the previous model, offering the most passenger space in the class. Inside, the Kuga seems to be half the size of a Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage.

Ford has built a straightforward variety of trim levels that cater to a wide range of client needs. The Kuga’s new grille may be more comprehensive than before. Still, the previous car’s hard-edged frown has undoubtedly diminished, with Ford sculpting a more pleasant and sinuous demeanor in response to customer feedback.

The Titanium variant, which comes with bigger 18-inch wheels, LED lighting, keyless entry, climate control, a crystal-clear reversing camera, partial leather upholstery, and an enhanced B&O premium sound system, is likely to be the most popular.

The previous generations of the Kuga were limited to the four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. In 2021, diesel models will be available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, while petrol variations will only be available with a six-speed manual transmission.

The Elevated Interior Of The Ford Kuga

The Ford Kuga’s interior is well-equipped for family life, with lots of handy onboard technology. Inside the Ford Kuga, one will discover an interior that’s similar to that of the Focus hatchback, which means decent artistry and a simple, easy-to-use dashboard layout. Ford’s excellent SYNC 3 infotainment system, standard throughout the range, is offered with the the 8-inch central touchscreen.

The new Ford Kuga has a slightly elevated driving posture, allowing the driver to sit adequately and high. The driver’s seat is comfortable, with plenty of adjustment, including lumbar support on all trims and substantial steering wheel height and reach movement.

Ford’s current SYNC 3 navigation and infotainment system is standard on the Kuga. It now enables the driver to connect through their smartphone; there is a sat-nav system and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The system starts fast and is easy to operate, and the built-in user interface provides instant access to the activities you want to do. The screen is transparent and responsive, and the large buttons on the panel make it simple to use while on the go.

Every Kuga comes standard with front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera on all models save the Zetec. The vehicle allows room to upgrade to the Titanium Edition or above. You can get bright LED headlights that can be updated to adaptive LED headlights that enable you to keep the main beams on without blinding approaching traffic.

Performance & Handling

Ford has given the Kuga a new lease on life by offering a diverse range of engines and transforming it into a family SUV that is also enjoyable to drive. The brake pedal of the Kuga is relatively consistent, especially on the PHEV and FHEV variants, which have regenerative brakes that collect energy for the battery.

The Ford Kuga comes with a wide selection of engines, the cheapest of which is a 1.5-liter petrol engine with 120 hp. This engine is also available in a 150 hp version. These engines only have front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.

In most situations, the suspension stays pleasant and composed, although reviewers found the ride on the ST-Line X model with its aggressive suspension and the enormous 19-inch alloy wheels to be a little too harsh and bouncy.

The road noise is the most noticeable intrusion in the Kuga, especially while traveling at high speeds on rougher roads. Newer models have active noise canceling technology that helps to mitigate this. The Kuga, on the other hand, is as quiet as the Peugeot 5008 and softer than the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V.

Although the Kuga’s pure-electric driving mode is rather impressive, it feels like a bigger Puma, and that’s the crossover class’s benchmark. The performance is limited when both power sources are available.

The Price Of The 2021 Ford Kuga

Ford’s electric vehicle rollout continues with the introduction of the new Kuga Hybrid. It’s a step down from the plug-in hybrid, with a shorter electric range but a more affordable price tag. According to Ford, the Ford Kuga FHEV (Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle) starts at around $46,000 vs. $50,000 for the plug-in hybrid. The high-spec ST-Line X Edition model reviewed today, on the other hand, will set you back a little over $47,500.

The Kuga is well-equipped with safety features. Lane-keeping assistance is included, as is automatic emergency braking (AEB), which may bring the car to a complete stop in the event of an imminent collision.

The Kuga received five stars from Euro NCAP for overall safety. It received good marks for adult and child crash safety, while the Toyota RAV4 outperformed it in areas like adult chest protection and child head protection.