Ford Kuga Titanium 2012 review

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.

It's German

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.

The Competition

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.

Engine

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.

On the road

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.

Sweeeet

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.

Wow

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.