2012 Ford Kuga Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2012 - 2016 Ford Kuga as a used buy. Ford Kuga belongs to an increasingly large class of vehicles that are marketed as SUVs, but are in fact tall hatchbacks with either no off-road ability or, at best, the ability to be driven on dirt tracks and the like. The big appeal of Kuga and others is

After a couple of false starts Ford finally has a world-class compact SUV on sale in Australia. After more than a decade of the rather rudimentary and box-shaped Escape, and a fleeting 12-month appearance of the superseded Kuga model that replaced it out of Europe, we now have the car that all this fuss was about.The new Kuga is Ford’s global SUV. It was designed in North America after borrowing heavily from the company’s European influence and will be made in four factories around the world, including the USA, Russia, China and Taiwan.Our Kuga comes to us from Valencia, in Spain. But it very nearly could have been built by Ford Australia in Broadmeadows. This new generation Kuga shares its underpinnings with the latest Ford Focus, which was to be built in Melbourne from 2011 -- until those plans were axed in 2009.It all seems like ancient history now, but given that the small car and compact SUV segments are the two biggest in Australia, Ford would have been on a winner if these were made here.Ford has an attractive headline price for the new Ford Kuga range. The basic front-drive model starts at $27,990, undercutting some of the toughest competition.But that price advantage evaporates as soon as you tick the box for automatic transmission, as 99 per cent of customers do in this class of vehicle. The jump to the base model auto adds a whopping $3500 (not the typical $2000) because it also comes with all-wheel-drive.The mid-grade Trend model (available as an all-wheel-drive only) starts at $36,240 as a petrol, while a diesel engine adds $3000 (to $39,240).Unfortunately, you don’t get a rear camera on the four most popular models in the range (see “technology”). You have to climb all the way to the top Titanium model, which starts at $44,740 (petrol) and $47,740 (diesel). Most of the Kuga’s main rivals have rear cameras as standard even though they start close to or below $30,000. At least rear sensors are standard.Metallic paint adds $385 on all models. And a technology pack that includes auto emergency braking, radar cruise control, blind spot warning, lane keeping, auto-dipping highbeam cost $2650.The new Ford Kuga SUV will be the first car on sale in Australia to automatically phone emergency services if you crash.The driver has 10 seconds to cancel the call if police and ambulance are not required, but if the line is silent the car will give 000 operators its GPS co-ordinates to send help. The system is so sophisticated Ford is training emergency services across Australia on what it sounds like and how it operates.The technology is standard on all new Ford Kuga SUVs, which start from $28,000. The only requirement is that a Smartphone is connected to the car via Bluetooth -- and that the crash happens in mobile phone range.Holden had a similar system from 2001 to 2010, but it required drivers of crashed vehicles to press a button to enlist help. The Ford system is automatically triggered when airbags deploy.The Kuga is among a growing number of cars making it increasingly difficult to have a crash. As with a number of cars from Volvo, Volkswagen and Subaru, the new Ford Kuga will brake automatically to avoid rear-ending another car in low-speed traffic.It will also steer straight if you wander from your lane, warn you of cars about to overtake you, and automatically dip the highbeams as other vehicles drive towards you at night.For mums and dads on the run, the new Ford also has a tailgate that can be opened with a deft swing of your foot (similar to kicking a soccer ball), providing the key is in your pocket or within 1 metre of the car. It’s handy for those will their hands full, or little ones to watch.But for all the gadgets, the car that Ford describes as the “Smart SUV” does not come standard with a rear-view camera -- even though most of the top SUV competitors have it across the range and is now seen as a basic feature.A rear camera is only available on the top-line Ford Kuga which starts at $44,000, whereas the Mazda CX5, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V and Nissan Dualis have a rear camera on all models, which near or below $30,000.Up to two-dozen infants die in driveway incidents each year and hundreds more are seriously injured. Up to 80 per cent of cases involve an SUV or ute -- even though they only account for about one-third of vehicles on the road.When asked why Ford had not made a rear camera available even as an option on the most basic version of its latest family car, the sales and marketing representative for Ford Australia, Brad Brownwell, said: “Part of the philosophy was … to get people to go up to the .”The Ford representative downplayed the safety benefit of rear-view cameras. “You don’t want people to look in their mirrors and just stare at the little and throw the car in reverse. You’ve got to be aware of your surroundings”.The new Ford Kuga looks a lot like the old one, mainly because Ford liked the European model so much.This car replaces the box-shaped Escape in the US which is why, rather cleverly, it has the same cargo space as the old Escape, even though it looks smaller thank to its sleek lines and sloping roof.As with most new Fords, the Kuga gets the company’s premium-look interior with a “command centre” in the middle of the dash for all the main cabin controls. It looks impressive but is not as practical as big simple buttons and dials. Less would have been truly more in this regard.Seven airbags and a clever stability control system that keeps the car secure in corners. According to ANCAP, the new Ford Kuga has among the highest score in its class. Earning its five star rating, the Kuga scored 36.33 points out of a possible 37 (compared to 35.91 for the new Honda CR-V and 35.1 for the new Mazda CX-5). Then, of course, there is also the equipment designed to stop crashes in the first place (see “technology”).On the road, how the new Ford Kuga drives depends on which model you choose. During the media preview drive in Adelaide this week, Carsguide sampled all three model grades and both the petrol and diesel engines.The diesel is surprisingly quiet for this type of engine, and has good power once you're on the move but can feel a little sluggish around town in low-speed situations because of both the delay in the diesel engines power delivery, and the response time of the twin-clutch automatic gearbox.The 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine feels spritelier by comparison, and its conventional 6-speed automatic transmission is a smoother operator.The new Ford Kuga feels secure in corners and the steering is very precise, however the trade-off for this is a busy and at times firm ride over what appears to be smooth road.Inside, the new Ford Kuga is one of the roomiest among its rivals with good head and knee room for backseat passengers and a deceptively big cargo area.However, the tapered window line which gives the Kuga its sleek appearance comes at the expense of visibility when parking. Despite all the Kuga's worthy safety technology, a rear camera is inexplicably not standard across the range of a vehicle that needs it most. Four of the six models are not available with a rear camera, even though its main competitors have the safety feature as standard, at a lesser price.Another issue that we would like Ford to address on the mid-life update of this car would be to include a digital speed display on the screen in the instrument panel, as Ford has done with the Falcon and Territory, and as is increasingly common on new models sold in Australia.

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

Ford Australia’s new Kuga is based on the Ford Focus platform and has reached us Down Under several years after its introduction in Europe. However, it has the latest facelift and still looks bang up to date.In the case of standard equipment it hints at its age with no sat nav or reversing camera. Newer rivals offer much more for the money. We will have to wait for the next Kuga generation to pick up on these missing items.Ford Kuga is available in two specification levels - Trend, costing $38,990, plus on-roads, and Titanium for $44,990. We reviewed a Titanium and although it carries a $6000 premium over the Trend variant we reckon the money would be well spent, not only in equipment levels but also in its upgraded styling.The Ford Kuga Trend is well equipped up to a point, while the Titanium adds standard extras such as Napoli leather seat trim and silver appliqué details, heated front seats with variable heating, six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, leather trimmed gear lever, rain sensing wipers, auto headlights, rear-view mirror with auto dimming, dual temperature control air-conditioning, rear privacy glass and parking sensors.In-car entertainment and infotainment features include a Sony single CD audio, Bluetooth hands-free and voice control for a mobile phone, audio and air conditioning.The Kuga is powered by the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from Volvo – it’s found in the Swedish carmaker’s S40 and V50 models – producing 147 kW of power at 6000 rpm and 320 Nm of torque between 1600 and 4000 revs.An added convenience is Ford’s capless refuelling system which spurns a conventional filler cap that needs to be removed before fuelling. In this case the likelihood of fingers becoming tainted with fuel is reduced.The system also features a fuel inhibitor that provides protection against misfuelling at the fuel pump by allowing only a nozzle that matches the corresponding fuel type of the car to open and enter the filler neck.Up front a tall trapezoidal radiator grille is cut in two by a horizontal slash of body-coloured metal extending from the vehicle’s flanks. On either side are swept-back headlamp clusters, which together with a steeply raked windscreen and a shoulder line sloping upwards to the rear, gives the Kuga the impression of a sprinter on the blocks.The Titanium’s 18-inch alloy wheels fill out flared wheel arches nicely, while the whole thing is topped off by brushed metal-style roof rails adding a touch of class. Plastic mudguards not only save weight but are more resistant to dents than metal ones and are cheaper to fix.At the rear a skid plate under the rear bumper incorporates sporty twin exhaust pipes and fog lamps. A LED brake light is integrated into the body coloured rear spoiler. The vertically opening tailgate has twin openings – the window itself lifts at the touch of a key fob button, while the whole door can be raised by pressing the same button twice.With the window open the Kuga can conveniently back up much closer to a loading area. A handy feature in today’s crowded carparks. Inside the cabin the Kuga’s occupants are made comfortable in leather upholstered seats beneath one of the largest panoramic sunroofs on any comparably-sized vehicle. It is fixed and has a special infra-red coating that reduces interior heat absorption.A two-piece retractable shade adds to cabin comfort but won’t ward off excessive heat from outside as well as a multi-layer insulated metal roof. Stowage includes spots for small items plus dedicated areas for drinks, sunglasses, coins, pens and three 12-volt power outlets. The cargo compartment takes an average 360 litres, which increases to 1355 litres with the rear seat backs folded.As well as keyless entry, the engine fires into life at the press of a dash-mounted button. The button must be pushed for two seconds or receive three short presses within two seconds to stop the engine. Taking nothing away from performance, the Kuga got a spurt on when it was called for, in fact at times producing a surprising ‘surge from the blocks’ on setting off.Superb steering brought the right amount of feel to the driver, making handling no chore. The ride was a bit bumpy on uneven surfaces and the brakes sharp until the driver adapts and tames the pedal. On test, the Kuga we drove came up with fuel consumption of 8.3 litres per 100 km on the motorway, while in town, almost twice that, tipping over the 15 mark quite a few times. Ford claims 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle.

There's a totally new model due next year but Ford had to break the ice locally with its Kuga compact SUV if only to keep the competition honest and to edge out the unloved Escape.Besides, the current German built Kuga is such a good thing - the equal of anything in the class particularly as it's based on the impressive previous Ford Focus platform - a solid starting point if ever there was one.Two variants are offered in Trend and Titanium grade - both generously equipped with the range topper tested going for $44,990.That puts it in against a swag of competition including the V6 RAV, to-end Nissan X-Trail, Mazda CX5, Forester and even the lower spec' Freelander.Kuga holds its own against all of these for general use even if some are better off- road.It runs a 2.5-litre, single turbo, five-cylinder petrol engine that sees duty in some Volvo products and also the previous Focus XR5. But Ford detunes the donk to 147kW presumably to try and cut fuel use though torque is still a healthy 320Nm delivered from a low 1600rpm.Power goes through an on-demand all wheel drive system via a five-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual modes. But it could do with another cog to fully capture engine output and also reduce fuel consumption which hovers around the 11.0-litres/100km mark for the combined cycle.That's way too much for a vehicle this size.Sounds good though and has plenty of punch available under the right foot. The new one will undoubtedly have a turbodiesel which should address the thirst issue.Handling is acceptable but not as sharp as some small SUVs and there's a bit of steering backlash when you corner moderately quickly on a rough surface. It sits well on the road and has a comfortable and relatively quiet ride. The steering is OK and the brakes are good.Ford has really sweetened the deal with Kuga Titanium delivering all manner of goodies as standard equipment (except satnav) that includes leather, full glass sunroof (fixed), Bluetooth, voice control, sports seats, flip up glass in the tailgate, keyless start climate control and automatic headlight levelling to name a few.We really like the capless fuel filler that has a spring loaded flap you push the nozzle into. It scores a five star ANCAP rating with the requisite six air bags, stability control and other safety related equipment.There's a family Ford Europe look to its face and flanks with elements of the Mondeo and Focus clearly evident - the same inside which is tidy, modern and functional. It fells bigger than it is even with five aboard and the load space is a good size but there's only a space saver spare under the floor.There's some wow factor in the foldable rear seat tray tables, the rear privacy glass and that large expanse of sunroof. The audio rates and the overall drive feel is positive - a  decent all rounder for family use.We'd probably pocket the six grand price difference between the Kuga Titanium and the Trend model and go the latter which isn't half bad itself - looks pretty much the same too.

Well aware its elderly Escape SUV wasn’t doing well in the booming medium SUV market, Ford Australia has launched the European Kuga – which is almost in run-out mode overseas.An all-new Ford Kuga is scheduled to reach Australia early in 2013, this time only a matter of months after its debut in Europe.The Ford Kuga comes down under in two specification levels: the midrange Kuga Trend and topline Kuga Titanium. An entry level variant may be added to the range with the all-new model 2013 model, but Ford Australia executives won’t be drawn on discussing future plans.Starting at $38,990 the midrange model comes with your expected tech and design features. There’s Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, a Sony CD 8-speaker system, keyless start/stop, cruise control, leather wrapped steering wheel, front foglamps, roof rails, follow-me-home lighting and capless refuelling.Ford Kuga Titanium adds 18-inch alloys, a fixed panoramic glass sunroof, dual-zone climate control, leather trimmed seats (the fronts are heated), leather trimmed gear shift, six-way powered driver’s seat, rear privacy glass, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps and wipers.As a special treat, the Australian Kugas are powered by Ford’s five-cylinder Duratec 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. Though not a new powerplant it produces up to 147 kW of power, and 320 Nm of torque. The large capacity of the turbo engine means that top torque comes in at a mere 1600 rpm, and the graph shows it stays at that high level until the engine is revving at 4000 rpm.Fuel consumption during our test period was typically in the nine to eleven litres per hundred kilometres range in town driving, falling to seven to eight litres in the bush. Not a bad number for a big petrol engine in an SUV.Many owners will therefore enjoy the efficiency of full torque almost all of the time. Aussie drivers traditionally like grunt and this engine supplies it in spades. Better still, it can be left in high gears and still pulls willingly.The big five-cylinder engine sits beside a five-speed automatic transmission. It runs through an AWD (All Wheel Drive) system. The sophisticated Haldex clutch system in the transmission means you can take the Kuga on only reasonably serious unsealed surfaces. It isn’t really aimed at the serious 4WD buyer, but will work fine for weekend and holiday excursions in the Australian bush.The Ford Kuga Trend is well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels and a two-part rear tailgate that can be opened in its upper section only, or like a full conventional hatch.Kuga has been on sale in several countries for up to four years, but it received a major facelift in 2011 so the styling looks bang up to date. In particular it bears a strong resemblance to big brother Ford Territory, as well as to the Ford Focus and Mondeo, as part of Ford’s global styling strategy.Ford Kuga comes with a five-star NCAP safety rating and has six airbags. To avoid the need for the airbags there are ABS brakes with emergency brake assist, stability control and traction control with roll-over mitigation, the latter handy in a relatively high-riding SUV.Ride comfort is generally good and, again, the Kuga has a sophisticated feel. It’s way ahead of the somewhat outdated Ford Escape that it replaces in the overall stability and refinement stakes.Other than the tyre noise on coarse-chip surfaces, the Kuga is quiet and relaxing to ride in. And it’s certainly not alone in suffering from tyre noise when treated to a stretch of Australian backroad running. It’s a pity Ford Australia can’t lend some of its suspension engineers to the European design centre to show them what can be done. Just look (and hear) the way Ford’s Aussie Territory and Falcon deal with these surfaces to see what we mean.Ride and handling give Kuga a Euro feel that will appeal to keen drivers. The way it grips the road makes it feel a lot better than the typical Asian sourced SUV. No longer does the driving enthusiast have to sacrifice driving pleasure just because the family is at the stage where it needs a station wagon.Not only is it strong, we were also impressed by the smoothness of the engine. It really does feel as though it’s from an expensive upmarket Euro car, not an affordable Ford. Perhaps the fact that the engine is also used by Volvo explains this feeling.We anticipate that the next generation Kuga may come with other engine and transmission options, including a turbo-diesel engine and manual gearbox.Kuga Trend 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch (automatic)Kuga Titanium 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch (automatic)

The Kuga make not make a scratch on the SUV segment.Ford could be throwing its belated Euro soft roader into the lions' den. Yes, you can add another vehicle into the overcrowded SUV segment; one that hit double figures in 2010, and now represents 12 percent of vehicle sales.But while the segment soars, Ford Australia is playing catch-up. While the company has enjoyed a diesel-led resurgence of its large Territory, its compact entry  for the past 11 years  has been the Escape.As the name suggests, many of us cannot get away fast enough from this US-market-driven, old-school softie. The Escape dates back to 2001, and when it finally surfaced after lengthy delays, the Subaru Forester, Toyota Rav4, and Honda CR-V already had a stranglehold.History has repeated with the Kuga; the German-built Escape replacement debuted globally in 2008. Four long years later, we finally get 200 cars a month with a turbo five-cylinder petrol, auto transmission and two trim choices.So long has been the wait that the updated Kuga -based on the current Focus platform rather than the superseded one, with more tech, and most likely a 2.0-litre diesel donk - will be here next year.There's no base model per se; the Kuga comes only in mid-spec Trend and top-shelf Titanium, keeping with Ford's notions of the Kuga representing a high-end alternative and ensuring the resale value of the late-gen imports remains stable. The Escape is kept alive for now as an entry level car.The Trend starts at $38,990, which includes 17-inch wheels, fog lights, roof rails, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, keyless start, cruise, a decent eight-speaker stereo with Bluetooth and voice activation, and five-star safety.Step up six grand, and the $44,990 Titanium model adds a panoramic glass roof, 18-inch wheels, leather trim, heated front seats, power adjustment on the drivers seat, auto headlights and wipers, and dual-zone air-con.Herein lies the biggest dilemma for the Kuga. In 2008, it would have been right up there. Now VW's Tiguan and Subaru's XV hold the cards in the world of tech warcraft. There's nothing new about the inline five-pot powerplant; the five-speed automatic tranny with a sports shifter is mildly dimwitted next to the likes of the Tiguan's DSG, and the Haldex on-demand system is nothing special.The rear of the car is held up by an independent control blade suspension; the rear bumper coming short of covering it up, as if to give traffic behind a peep up its skirt at this inclusion, and it works well with the excellent handling characteristics.However, it misses out on Ford's patented EPAS parallel-park-for-dummies system that automatically parks the car for you. The US Kuga, which has kept the Escape nameplate, has this feature, so we may get it. But not yet.More than a big bloated Focus, the Kuga's design manages to avoid the crossover car-on-stilts typecast with low skirting, a big glasshouse and wedge-like roof and shoulder line. Its quite a tall car, but big alloys fill the arches, while a nifty split tailgate with a flat-loading cargo floor and covering net make it easy to access.Rear legroom is tight, however, and the high sill line will impede the view of  kids. But that isn't this empty nester/young active couples target demographic. Tow capacity, which is strangely set at 750kg whether braked or unbraked, is poor. And a space saver underfloor is the only spare, which is simply not good enough on an SUV in this country.The Kuga has already been crashed into a few barriers at the ANCAP facility, and earned a five star rating for its intelligent protection system or cabin capsule, front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, and traction and stability control (DSC) with Anti Rollover Mitigation, which will brake the front wheels and cut the engine if the balance starts to skew in the roof's favour.High expectations come with a long-anticipated car, particularly one based on the superbly set-up Focus. The Focus XR5's rorty little turbo five is detuned to produce 147 kW at 6000rpm in the Kuga, but gets the same 320NM from 1600rpm - 4000rpm to get its 1653kg bulk away with good push. Its lovely power steering cops rough-road kickback, but remains pointy and progressive.The ride is supple, despite the New Zealand-specced cars we tested on the hilly roads north of Auckland being fitted with larger 19-inch rims and thinner rubber, where we get 17s and 18s (our cars will have a softer ride and absorb some of the test cars' front-end reaction to uneven surfaces; corner entry will be less crisp).It sits low which also aids handing -- though the ride height of 188mm is far below the 220mm legs of its SUV brethren.  The AWD system got a short workout on gravel, running 90:10 in favour of the front wheels but progressing to a 50:50 split without noticeable hesitation.However, it was felt through a fog of active driver aids - the stability control is deactivated through the setup menu; and a task to turn off. It's a good steer with a quality feel; as good as the top runners in the class. But it doesn't set a new benchmark.

In an interesting move, Ford launched its new Kuga to the Australian motoring media at a major event in Auckland, New Zealand.

Ford's cute compact four-wheel drive Kuga finally goes on sale here next month. We've been asking about this car for years, ever since laying eyes on it for the first time in Europe.