New Ford Kuga Hybrid 2021 review

Verdict

Ford’s full-hybrid Kuga completely delivers on its potential as an environment friendly household SUV, providing low working prices for those who don’t need to make the step to life with a plug-in automobile simply but. Nevertheless, whereas it’s sensible and continues to be one of many best-driving SUVs on sale, powertrain refinement isn’t its strongest trait. The infotainment is beginning to look a little bit outdated as nicely, even when the Kuga does characteristic a number of tech as commonplace.

Ford is urgent on with its roll-out of electrified fashions with this new Kuga Hybrid. It sits under the plug-in hybrid model, with a extra restricted electrical vary, but additionally a extra reasonably priced price ticket.

The Ford Kuga FHEV (Full Hybrid Electrical Car), as Ford calls it, begins from £33,595 in contrast with £36,555 for the plug-in hybrid. Nevertheless, in high-spec ST-Line X Version trim examined right here, it’ll value you £34,735.

For that you just get a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol engine working at the side of an electrical motor that’s fed by a compact 1.1kWh battery. Collectively, the ability sources ship a most of 187bhp (Ford doesn’t quote a complete torque output), which is sweet sufficient for a 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds.

Electrical-only working is feasible, nevertheless it’s rather more restricted than in a plug-in hybrid; assume very brief distances at low velocity. The electrical motor is there extra to help the petrol engine, lightening its load to assist enhance effectivity.

It does an excellent job of that too. Our automotive’s journey laptop was really exhibiting 49.5mpg, greater than the Ford’s official gasoline financial system declare, so it must be low cost to run. On ST-Line X Version’s bigger 19-inch wheels CO2 emissions stand at 133g/km.

The Kuga has all the time been one of many extra rewarding household SUVs to drive and this mannequin ideas the scales at 1,701kg so the small battery and electrical motor don’t add an excessive amount of further weight over a pure petrol or diesel different. This helps to make sure that the FHEV nonetheless handles sweetly.

Exact, fast steering and good grip imply you’ll be capable of take pleasure in this Kuga on twisty roads. The experience is a little bit on the agency aspect – we’d name it taut, nevertheless it’s removed from uncomfortable.

The CVT transmission is extra of a difficulty. Toyota has confirmed that CVT gearboxes in full hybrids like its Corolla and RAV4 fashions (to call however a number of) can actually work, contributing to a calming really feel on the transfer. Within the Kuga, although, the gearbox feels a little bit sluggish. 

By their nature CVTs ship the revs excessive if you want extra efficiency from the powertrain, holding them there to provide you a great enhance of acceleration, however the engine’s sound signature from contained in the Kuga is a little bit tough. Whereas there’s not a lot to complain about in relation to efficiency, we’d anticipate extra refinement from an electrically assisted SUV like this. No less than the truth that it does ship on its gasoline financial system potential makes up for this to some extent.

You get loads of tools for the cash on this Ford Kuga and it represents higher worth than top-spec Vignale trim too, even when extra reasonably priced fashions a little bit decrease down the vary seem like the candy spot. ST-Line X Version options bigger alloy wheels, as we’ve talked about, a panoramic roof, heated entrance and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.

On high of this you additionally profit from sporty appears to be like, full LED lights, keyless operation, a powered tailgate, dual-zone local weather management, adaptive cruise management, a 12.3-inch digital sprint, a B&O Premium stereo, a rear-view digital camera, wi-fi cellphone charging, autonomous braking, lane hold help and lane departure warning, plus sat-nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as a part of the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

A lot of that is commonplace on different fashions, together with the SYNC3 set-up, and whereas the multimedia unit’s menus are logically laid out, the responses sharp and the graphics adequate, the eight-inch display now feels a little bit on the small aspect in contrast with rivals that provide greater models. Automobile inside design has moved on rather a lot in a number of years, and whereas the Kuga is okay, it doesn’t actually have the aptitude that may be discovered elsewhere on this sector.

There’s sufficient house inside although, whereas with as much as 526 litres of boot house when all seats are in place (relying on the place the sliding rear bench seat is ready) there’s sufficient load quantity too.