The automotive market is currently experiencing a fierce price war, leading to remarkable discounts on vehicles fresh from the factory. Notably, the Ford Kuga, a hybrid SUV, exemplifies this trend with discounts that were once only available during year-end sales. For instance, the hybrid variant of the Ford Kuga, boasting a powerful 183 horsepower and an all-wheel-drive system, is now priced at an astonishing discount of 40,500 PLN, making it available for just 149,820 PLN instead of the original price of 190,320 PLN. Moreover, the 180-horsepower hybrid version with two-wheel drive is even more affordable than its gasoline counterpart, priced at 139,200 PLN compared to 139,880 PLN for the 186-horsepower model.
Having spent a week behind the wheel of the hybrid Ford Kuga, I was eager to explore its various advantages. While there are a few drawbacks, my experience included a traditional test route where I assessed its fuel consumption during a particularly grueling afternoon traffic jam.
Key Advantages of the Ford Kuga
One of the standout features of the Ford Kuga is its spacious interior, which surpasses the typical compact SUV classification and could easily be compared to a limousine. Standing at 188 cm tall, I found the rear seating area to be exceptionally accommodating. Additionally, the rear bench seat is adjustable, allowing for maximum cargo space when driving solo. With the rear seats positioned close to the front, the Kuga offers an impressive 628 liters of trunk space without folding down the seats.
Furthermore, the Kuga's trunk design is commendable, featuring a low loading edge and a wide, practical opening, providing a maximum capacity of 1517 liters in the hybrid model. Its rearview camera delivers an exceptionally wide view, enhancing parking ease, while the Bang & Olufsen audio system (standard in the ST-Line X, Active X, and BlueCruise Edition models) delivers the best audio experience you can find in this price range. Remarkably, the sound quality in the compact Kuga surpasses that of the BMW XM with Bowers & Wilkins audio, for which you must pay an additional 24,300 PLN.
However, the seats in the Ford Kuga leave something to be desired in terms of lumbar support and side bolstering, with the seating surfaces being slightly too short for my comfort. Nonetheless, this did not detract significantly from my overall experience.
Drawbacks of the Ford Kuga
Despite its many strengths, the current generation of the Ford Kuga, introduced in the spring of 2019, exhibits a somewhat outdated dashboard design, which feels less modern compared to newer competitors. The quality of the materials, while well-assembled, may not impress as much as it would have a decade ago. One feature I particularly missed was traditional climate control knobs; instead, the Kuga relies on a touchscreen interface to adjust temperature and airflow, which can be distracting while driving due to the small icons. Although voice commands are available, they can be cumbersome to use while behind the wheel, making physical knobs a more practical solution.
On the road, the Ford Kuga's hybrid powertrain is quite lively, with its 183 horsepower feeling responsive and energetic. The hybrid model is impressively quiet, and its gasoline engine boasts a capacity of 2.5 liters, defying downsizing trends. However, the ride comfort over bumps is merely acceptable, although the firm suspension does contribute to an enjoyable driving experience. Most impressive, however, is the hybrid Kuga's fuel efficiency.
During a recent test, I embarked on a drive around 4:30 PM, navigating through the South Warsaw Bypass and encountering significant traffic congestion. Despite being stuck in a jam for 18 minutes, the hybrid Ford Kuga recorded an impressive average fuel consumption of just 4.4 liters per 100 kilometers over a distance of 25.7 kilometers. It leaves one to wonder how much more efficient it could have been without the traffic delays.
As reported by auto-swiat.pl.
