Ford Kuga design

Martin Smith, Ford of Europe Executive Design Director, headed the design team during the Ford Kuga’s creation. “It was important that we made the Ford Kuga instantly recognisable as a Ford model, but we also wanted to retain a design relationship with the original concept,”

Smith said. “I believe we have achieved these targets in the final design - we’ve captured the character of the concept with the car’s appearance being both rugged and dynamic to show off its on- and off-road capabilities.” 

Styling details alter depending on whether the Trend or Titanium series level is selected. The Ford Kuga adopts a bold face, with bold upper and lower trapezoid grilles and dramatic, swept-back headlamps.

Below the lower trapezoid is a purposeful skid plate which further signals the car’s tough, off-road capability. Circular fog lamps situated either side of the lower grille are standard equipment on both series.

The sculpted, muscular bonnet features distinctive power blisters which also strengthen the structural rigidity of the pressing.

Underlying the Ford Kuga’s stylish exterior is an incredibly strong safety structure, which makes extensive use of high-strength steels that provide the SUV with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

“The design elements in the Ford Kuga combine to reinforce our ‘energy in motion’ philosophy,” Smith said.

“The powerful form language and bold graphics merge to give the car the impression of movement, even when it is parked.” 

When viewed in profile, the Ford Kuga is as athletic as a modern running shoe. Bold graphics are evident from front to rear, with a rising belt line and kick-up at the rear window. Bold wheel arches are filled with standard 17-inch alloy wheels on the Trend with 18-inch alloy wheels available as standard on the Titanium. 

The wheel arches are linked by integrated rocker mouldings, which extend along both side doors and run parallel with the high, pronounced shoulder line. The side ‘undercut’ further highlights the dynamic intent. Collectively, these elements make the vehicle look muscular and strong. 

The unique door mirrors have integrated side indicators and the design has been optimised to deliver exceptionally good levels of Sound Quality and Vibration (SQ&V) as free airspace is created between the mirror housing and the door.

Brushed aluminium-effect roof rails neatly top off the profile view and add symmetry to the chrome used on the waistline. A standard fixed panoramic glass roof section on the Titanium further adds a premium touch.

With a wheelbase of 2690mm the overall footprint of the Ford Kuga is compact and its proportions are balanced by relatively short front and rear body overhangs.

The rear design is equally purposeful and gives the vehicle a solid stance, and incorporates distinctive design signatures that make it instantly recognisable as a Ford. 

A rear diffuser-like skid plate extends visibly from beneath the rear bumper and houses the sporty-looking twin exhaust pipes, which are standard on both the Trend and Titanium. 

The lower skid plate also houses the low-slung fog lamps. The large, split rear lamps are a dominant horizontal feature of the rear end.

Other neat details include a third LED brake light integrated into the body coloured rear spoiler and rear parking sensors blended into the painted bumper on Titanium models. 

Surfaces are kept clean and clear with the pair of large Ford ovals being supplemented only on the metalwork of the tailgate with distinctive badging.

A carefully selected palette of eight exterior body colours has been chosen to complement the charismatic nature of the Ford Kuga. These colours include:

Blazer Blue
Frozen White
Dark Micastone (soft grey)
Lunar Sky (light bronze)
Mars Red
Midnight Sky (slate blue)
Moondust Silver
Panther Black

The exterior design features naturally incorporate a wealth of practicality that provides much more than first meets the eye. The ‘liftgate in liftgate’ tailgate offers maximum flexibility and convenience with separate access via micro switches to either the upper tailgate section only or both sections simultaneously.

The size of the open upper section has been engineered to allow convenient access to the luggage compartment. When the upper section is opened access can be gained to the luggage area without having to move the standard tonneau cover, enabling smaller items to be placed in the luggage compartment quickly and easily. The quick-release tonneau cover can also be completely removed.

The high ride height, large surface bumpers and tailgate design help avoid damage to the sheet metal during a low-speed rear impact. Ease of repair is also helped at the front by the use of plastic front mudguards. Not only does the use of plastic mudguards aid in overall vehicle weight saving, they also provide greater resistance to dents.

A lower finishing panel in matt anthracite hugs the lower edges of the entire car, offering resistance to long-term dirt accumulation and providing a degree of protection against flying debris. It also visually enhances the off-road styling.