Test drive Ford Kuga 2017, specifications

The completely redesigned Ford Kuga gives the impression of a luxury model. The appearance has been greatly changed, the materials in the interior are a class higher than the previous ones, the ergonomics have been improved, customers will now be able to choose from two more new configurations.

Test drive Ford Kuga 2017

The European test drive of the completely redesigned Ford Kuga is probably the largest such event ever held on the European continent. #KUGAdventure takes place in 15 stages, the starting point was Athens, the second stage passed through Bulgaria, and stage 9 found us in Vilnius, where we, with another colleague from Russia, covered the distance between the capital of Lithuania and Riga in a brand new Ford Kuga.

The final destination of this epic Kugi caravan journey ends at the northernmost point of the European continent, North Cape, Norway. But we don't need such a northerly climate to test the capabilities of the Kuga. There is enough rain and 30cm snow in the capital of Latvia to create a very clear picture of the model with which Ford can now safely enter the European SUV race in the C segment.

Five Kuga met us at the parking lot at Vilnius airport, and the first impression is that this is some kind of stripped-down version of the new Edge. The front face masks are very similar, but the truth is that the all-encompassing updated (thanks to Ford for not calling the update a "new model") Kuga has a much sportier look and, aside from the grilles, the design of the Ford Kuga evokes bold associations. This is not to say that it is similar to the Focus ST, for example, but the difference from the previous model is quite convincing. And this makes us extremely happy.

Packages

We got the impression that we were looking at a hatchback bloated to the scale of an SUV, but the designers made every effort to ensure that the car did not look like a silicone doll that came out of the hands of a plastic surgeon. Plastic has almost completely disappeared, and each subsequent experience of Ford designers is becoming more and more successful. Kuga hit the market in 2008, changed generations in 2012, and now it's time for an updated version, as customers can now choose between sporty and luxurious looks - these are the ST-Line and Vignale versions. The result is a completely new machine in relation to the models we have seen so far.

For more conservative clients, there is a Titanium version that offers a more discreet front mask. Those wishing to drive in the most comfortable, all-leather interior can opt for the Vignale version, whose chrome grille evokes the brand's American roots (and Ford's One strategy, which ensures that the model is sold with very little difference worldwide). We liked the “sporty” version the most.

Ford Kuga exterior updates

The renewal of the model is reflected in the widened front bumper, radiator grille, bonnet, shape of the headlights ... enough for a facelift in the model in the middle of the model's life cycle. Now Kuga looks much more relaxed, and the front is approaching the "great" Edge. At the back we also have a new bumper and new taillights, but here we make a point because, unlike the expressive front, the model seems anonymous and unrecognizable at the back. Renault, for example, solved this problem with a huge logo on the front and an equally large inscription on the back in Kadjar and commensurately large taillights with them.

What's new in the interior

The Kuga's interior has become significantly better. Gone is the "unnatural" steering wheel, replaced by a very nice and comfortable one. The traditional handbrake lever has been replaced by a button for the electric parking brake, and next to it is a 12-volt socket and a small niche for a cell phone. The air conditioning unit has been completely changed, and the multimedia system screen has grown significantly. The dashboard has also undergone changes, and the screen returned to the parameters for the average and instant fuel consumption, remaining mileage and distance traveled, which is very convenient.

But this is not impressive. The focus here is on the quality of the work. The plastic on the dashboard and upper door panel is soft and pleasant to the touch. The new steering wheel fits perfectly into your hand, and the decorative piano lacquer (and in the Vignale version, the leather is very thin and ubiquitous) puts the finishing touch on the heavily redrawn interior. The buttons are still all in their places, and the problem is only in the absence of an electrically adjustable front passenger seat, as well as the inability to lower this seat down.

Multimedia systems

The decision to rid us of the SYNC 2 multimedia system is also a big step. It has been upgraded from SYNC 2 to SYNC 3. Bravo. Now, having turned away from Microsoft, Ford is using the Blackbery Unix system (let's see in the long term how this will affect, since this company also does not sit still), whose processor is much more powerful than in the previous version. The display is larger, there is no reaction delay when touched, the orientation is simpler, the map is controlled by gestures, the same as on a smartphone. The graphics are simplified, which may not be pleasant to some. Naturally, the updated Kuga now supports Apple, CarPlay and Android Auto.

Engines Ford Kuga 2017

The update also took place in the area of ​​propulsion systems, where, in the range of three petrol and three diesel engines, we also find a new 1,5-litre TDCi engine with 120 hp. We did not test it, because it was installed in a front-wheel drive version. And our approach to the Baltic Sea required all vehicles to be equipped with 4x4 drive.

And this turned out to be an absolute necessity on the second day of our stay in Riga, when the city was buried under 30 cm of snow. For the atmosphere, we will only mention, there was no snow removal equipment at all. The traffic jams were colossal, and the road was "cleared" only by moving cars. The congestion at the airport was kilometers long, but we did not hear beeps, everyone was calm and not nervous. Local radio announced that 96 snow blowers were in operation, but for two hours we saw none in the traffic jam.

Under these conditions, we enjoyed the leather in the Vignale version, but the real test drive the next day was on the ST Line version with a 2,0-liter diesel engine and 150 hp. Back in 2012, Ford ditched Haldex in favor of an in-house developed 4×4 system. It monitors 25 parameters, is capable of transmitting up to 100 percent to the front or rear axle and allocating the necessary Newton meters to the left or right wheels to ensure optimal traction.

Off the road, there was no way to test the car, but on the road it behaves very well and predictably. The whole trip to Kuga along the beautiful motorway and the first-class road between Vilnius and Riga caused only positive emotions in us. The steering wheel is surprisingly informative.

Curiously, the steering wheel is heavier on the gasoline version compared to the diesel version, as owners of the gasoline ST-Line are expected to prefer a more dynamic driving experience. The suspension settings are sportier, making the transition through bumps more palpable, but that was perfectly in tune with our preference.

Fuel consumption

One more thing not to mention is the average fuel indicator. Our engine had 150 hp. and 370 Nm, and according to the factory parameters, it should consume 5,2 l / 100 km. True, the car weighs 1700 kg, and on board was me and my colleague with two small suitcases.

The speed limit on the motorway is 110 km/h, on first-class roads outside the city - 90 km/h. Both of us drove very strictly to see a minimum of 7,0 l/100 km on the freeway, which we managed to bring down to 6,8 l/100 km, but we did not exceed 110 km/h for a minute. And this, with an indicator of 4,7 l / 100 km on the highway (extra-urban cycle), is a lot.

Summing up

The overall impression of the Ford Kuga is excellent. Attention is paid to all aspects: design, quality of materials, ergonomics and safety. The updated Kuga goes way beyond the current model, and the changes are such that we're surprised the company hasn't identified the model as new. We can definitely say that Ford is now a real contender in the most crowded segment in Europe. We are confident that by the end of 2017 Ford will show sales growth of more than 19%, a record that Kuga posted in 2015 compared to 2014 (102000 sales).

Video test drive Ford Kuga 2017

Ford Kuga 2017 - the first test drive of the updated crossover