2016 Ford Kuga gains standard reversing camera, SYNC2

Laura Berry

Senior Journalist

2 min read

Ford’s latest Kuga update adds a reversing camera across the board and SYNC2 multimedia for Trend and Titanium variants, amid minor price rises.

Ford will give its Kuga mid-size SUV a tech and safety boost from December which will see a reversing camera fitted as standard on all models for the first time.

Along with the reversing camera the entry level Ambiente receives a 4.2-inch colour centre screen, a 4.2-inch colour instrument panel cluster screen and Digital DAB+ radio.

The mid-spec Trend also gains standard satnav, as part of the upgrade to the SYNC2 multimedia interface that is also applied to the top-spec Titanium.

This latest iteration of Ford’s media system brings Wi-Fi hotspot technology, live traffic updates for the satnav, enhanced voice controls, emergency assistance, an extra two USB ports and an 8-inch colour touch screen to replace the outgoing 5-inch display. 

The Titanium’s panoramic roof has also been revised with improved ventilation and a remote opening function through the key fob.

The new technology does come with a price increase of $200-$500 across the seven-variant Kuga line-up that sits above the EcoSport and below the Territory in Ford’s SUV arsenal.

Styling is otherwise unchanged, as is the petrol and diesel drivetrain line-up.

The update also sees a change in exterior paint colours for the Kuga with Shadow Black replacing Panther Black while Green Instinct replaces Ginger Ale.  

Styling is otherwise unchanged, as is the petrol and diesel drivetrain line-up.

Ambiente variants continue with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with a choice of manual with two-wheel drive or auto with all-wheel drive. The Trend and Titanium retain the same choice of 2.0-litre turbo petrol or diesel engines with an automatic and all-wheel drive. 

The technology update is the first upgrade for the Kuga since December 2014, which saw the introduction of more powerful and efficient engines.

Is the new Kuga's extra safety and tech worth the price rise? Tell us what you think in the comments below. 

Laura Berry

Senior Journalist

Laura Berry is a best-selling Australian author and journalist who has been reviewing cars for more than 15 years. Much more of a Hot Wheels girl than a Matchbox one, she grew up in a family that would spend every Friday night sitting on a hill at the Speedway watching sprint cars slide in the mud. The best part of this was being given money to buy stickers. She loved stickers… which then turned into a love of tattoos. Out of boredom, she learnt to drive at 14 on her parents’ bush property in what can only be described as a heavily modified Toyota LandCruiser.   At the age of 17 she was told she couldn’t have a V8 Holden ute by her mother, which led to Laura and her father laying in the driveway for three months building a six-cylinder ute with more horsepower than a V8.   Since then she’s only ever owned V8s, with a Ford Falcon XW and a Holden Monaro CV8 part of her collection over the years. Laura began her career as a journalist in the entertainment industry writing about music for The South China Morning Post; television for tvChoice; fashion and celebrities for The Mirror before combining her passion for cars with her profession and moved into motoring. In 2008 she joined News Custom Publishing as Managing Editor of its motoring titles, including Australia’s Best Cars and the official programs for V8 Supercars, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. In 2011 she joined CarsGuide (for the first time), back when it was part of a newspaper, and learnt to test and review cars. This followed a move to Motor as Production Editor, then Wheels as News Editor while also writing for Street Machine and Top Gear Australia. As the media landscape shifted she left print journalism and joined online motoring publication GoAuto as a senior writer. A brief stint in automotive public relations then followed before she joined CarsGuide in 2015 (for the second time) as Senior Journalist where she remains to this day. A wife and mother, and author of two books, her current daily driver is a chopped 1951 Ford Tudor with a V8, of course. You can find Laura on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram. Expertise Performance and custom cars Family cars and SUVs Education Bachelor of Arts | Macquarie University Featured Publications The Mirror (UK) | 2002-2006 South China Morning Post | 2004-2006 tvChoice (UK) | 2004-2006 TVQuick (UK) | 2004-2006 Mercedes-Benz Magazine | 2005-2006 Australia’s Best Cars | 2008-2010 V8 Supercars Official Program | 2008-2010 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Official Program | 2008-2010 Australian MotoGP Official Program | 2008-2010 Motor | 2012-2013 Street Machine | 2012-2015 Wheels | 2013 Top Gear | 2013-2014 GoAuto | 2014-2015 CarsGuide | 2015-present
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