The new 2018 Ford Kuga has come out looking sportier, bolder and more fuel efficient since its launch in South Africa earlier this year.
And building on the sophisticated appeal of this model is the new ST-Line for the powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost and TDCi models.
The Kuga range has also gained an extremely competitive all-new offering in the frugal yet punchy 88kW 1.5 TDCi turbodieselengined models, available in Ambiente and Trend specification levels matched to a sixspeed manual gearbox.
General manager for marketing at Ford Motor Company SA Doreen Mashinini the Ford said: "The new Ford Kuga is an exceptional offering in the highly competitive SUV segment, and we've now made it even more appealing to buyers across the spectrum. The Kuga ST-Line delivers a bold design that mirrors its athletic character. It stands out from the rest of the range thanks to the high-gloss ebony black finish for the front grille, along with a striking honeycomb design for the lower portion of the grille and matching sports mesh finish on the fog lamp bezels," she said.
A few days spent test driving the Titanium model recently - a six-speed automatic with a 2.0l EcoBoost engine boasting all wheel-drive – left quite an impression.
The Titanium model’s good looks – highlighted by a thick chrome grille – as well as a powerful Sony sound system and massive boot space which can be extended by folding over the rear seats – has all the qualities to enjoy long road trips with family and friends.
Despite the powerful engine capacity boasting kW177/Nm340, the Kuga is a car you simply want to cruise in, whether you’re a soccer mom driving the kids around or a professional driving for work and pleasure. I was happy to enjoy my time with the windows down, elbows out, cruising along.
Yes the car is as big inside as it looks from the outside, with loads of leg room. The soft leather seats are also a winner in this derivative. The heatable front seats would also come in very handy to keep the chills at bay.
I was impressed by the safety features – sensors front and rear as well as blind spot features which are triggered by motion from either side. I was fascinated with the “Driver Fatigue” sensor which caught me off-guard during a long drive, which suggested I should take a break and maybe get a cup of coffee.
A ‘lane keeping assist’ function vibrates on the steering wheel when the driver crosses over lanes, and was, for me, another unique selling point. The navigation system was also activated with ease and can be activated by voice prompt.
The console boasts great access to the touch screen, which is fitted into the dash with a few key buttons for ease of manoeuvrability. And the three-zone climate control system allows multi-passengers to be comfortable.
Did I mention it drives like a boss? With a smooth four-cylinder turbo petrol engine the Kuga makes for a great drive, amazing handling and exceptional cornering, and priced from R518,500 this derivative seems like great value for money.
The greatest joy for my six-year-old daughter was by far the rear trays mounted behind the front seats where she enjoyed placing her tablet during rides to and from school...