FORD KUGA

Ford has upgraded the Kuga SUV with improved hybrid powertrains, high-tech features and a better infotainment system.

Model tested 2.5 FHEV 183PS ST-Line X AWD Price £42,365 Kerbweight 1765kg

What’s new?

We’ve been driving the full hybrid with four-wheel drive, a combination that promises to be well suited to towing.

What are we looking for?

Can Ford’s hybrid achieve economy to match a similar turbodiesel? Have the upgrades improved it as a solo drive?

Towing ability

It’s very unusual for a car maker’s press release to mention towing, especially in the first sentence. But right at the start of its announcement about the revised Kuga, Ford claims “best-in-class towing ability”.

Those credentials are founded on an unusually high maximum towing figure. The full hybrid 4x4 we’ve been driving has a towing limit of 2100kg. Compare that with 1500kg for the equivalent Kia Sportage.

We’d always recommend towing no more than 85% of the kerbweight for the sake of stability, but up to 100% is acceptable for an experienced tow car driver. In that case, the Kuga can reasonably tow caravans that would be out of reach of similar rivals.

For our towing test, we matched the Ford to a Coachman 580 Vision with a MiRO of 1361kg. The Kuga pulled the Coachman up to speed quickly and easily. When the 2.5-litre petrol engine and the electric motor work together, the Ford accelerates with determination, soon reaching 60mph.

You do hear the engine working hard when you are overtaking or holding speed uphill, but the same is true of the Kuga’s hybrid competitors.