The range of plug-in SUVs has grown significantly recently. At Ford, the Kuga is only on the price list as 1.5 EcoBoost and as PHEV. The latter has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the front, which produces a very meager 152 hp. That’s because the engine has an Atkinson loop, which reduces compression a lot. The result of this is lower consumption, but since such an engine is also rather lifeless, we see this concept rarely used, except with hybrids. Together with an electric motor, the entire system functions in fact as a stepless CVT machine, so that there are no switching moments. This makes the powertrain particularly smooth and you will not notice when the petrol engine starts to support the electric motor. Well, you don’t feel a shock; you can hear it, because the engine is a bit grumpy every now and then. That electric motor has another 178 hp on offer. That is a lot, but of course you also have to be able to drive on electricity alone. Together the engines peak at 225 hp and that is enough to make the Kuga feel smooth, although that is mainly due to the strong torque that the engines deliver together. On the sprint, there appears to be little extra reserve, so that the car needs just 10 seconds for the well-known sprint to 100 km / h. A the-glass-is-half-full reasoning then is that the car is efficient with its power; how often will you drive off at full throttle in a model like this?
Every ride on electricity
The Kuga knows how to use its battery well. If you force things manually in electric mode, you can drive up to 140 km / h electrically. As a result, you can do every trip on electricity at legal speed in the Netherlands, provided you do not drive too great distances. The Kuga only comes with electricity on a range of 45 kilometers. We note that the speed and the outside temperature can cause major differences. However, it is better to use the hybrid mode on long distances. But even if you enter a destination that falls within the range, the Ford still tends to use gasoline. The more you pay attention to what is happening, the better you can use the battery.
The Kuga is already the third-generation Ford SUV to bear this name. The car is noticeably differently drawn from its predecessors. Not only is it more round than sharp, it also looks less high. More crossover than SUV, so to speak. That is in keeping with these times. We recognize many of the new Ford Puma in it and less of the Focus. Inside it is a lot of Focus; the interior seems to have been taken over one on one. That is not necessarily bad, because the hatchback makes a significant step in this respect compared to the previous generation. That also applies to the Kuga. Now there was a lot to be gained there, but Ford is not immediately leading with it. It’s good and not particularly innovative, but the ergonomics are good and so is the seating position. You sit surprisingly spacious in the back seat, with plenty of legroom. Headroom is good too, despite the optional panoramic roof. The trunk is not above average at 405 liters, which is also less than the versions without a plug.
Steering feel
Ford has a reputation to uphold when it comes to driveability and the new Kuga brings that quality to the fore. The SUV steers above average and the steering feel actually resembles that of no other brand. And all this without the car being overly hard. Even so, the many extra pounds of the PHEV are noticeable. The car weighs barely 300 kilos more than the 1.5 EcoBoost version and that difference is very significant. When cornering you feel the kilos, but the chassis still absorbs a large part. It is more problematic with thresholds, which for many will be a regular part of journeys through the residential area. The back bangs through violently; the dampers here look like someone doing his last push-up. It goes, but with groans and preferably not again. Until batteries become much more compact and lighter, this appears to be an inevitable problem with PHEVs, although it affects some cars more than others. A high car is more vulnerable at this point anyway.
The version driven by us is in good condition. The Kuga is an ST-line X with a lot of appearance and a lowered chassis; various nice option packages give him things like seat heating, adaptive LED lighting, extensive audio, a head-up display, larger wheels and a whole punch more for a small price.
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