New Ford Kuga 2020. Perhaps the best family SUV
The Kuga is almost indispensable in Ford’s production program. In addition to the Fiesta and Focus, the Kuga is one of Ford’s highest-grossing models to date. The new generation of the 2020 Ford Kuga should boost that success and go all out to win over customers. That’s what a future bestseller is.
Crossovers and SUVs – hope and support Ford
Ford has extremely high hopes for SUVs. Particularly mid-size models like the Ecosport and the all-new Puma. The new Ford Kuga will also play an important role.
And make no mistake: despite the outgoing Kuga being somewhat older, Ford sold 161,400 Ford Kuga in Europe in 2019. An increase of five percent over the previous year. Overall sales of Ford SUVs grew by more than six percent in 2019. Ford is trying to keep this trend alive with the new Kuga.
Go to any Ford Winner Ukraine car dealership and look at the current model. And you’ll see it right away: the new Ford Kuga has been heavily modified from the previous generation. The new Kuga looks a bit sportier and leaner now, but not much bigger.
However, it has grown somewhat. It is 45mm wider, 90mm longer and 27mm lower. These are significant differences. The length is 4629 mm, the width is 1883 mm and the height is 1675 mm. The wheelbase has increased by 20 mm to 2710 mm. Thanks to this extended wheelbase, interior space has also increased significantly, especially in the back seat. Now it is much better there, even if you are under two meters tall.
Let’s open the trunk of the new Kuga 2020
Yes, it is the trunk, because for the Europian buyer it is important. And because the crossover is positioned as a family. The luggage space of the new Ford Kuga has been significantly improved: 456 liters for the previous generation versus 645 liters for the new Kuga in the most advantageous configuration. This is a significant difference, 189 liters. Sure, but the back seat in the Kuga is up to 15 centimeters long.
Ford claims 645 liters, but this is in the most advantageous configuration. If you move the rear seat all the way back, you get 475 liters. The PHEV version also has a trunk volume of 411 to 581 liters. Isn’t that bad for a plug-in hybrid with a battery in the back?
Luggage compartment with a low loading height and with a minimum of protruding elements inside. This makes it easy to load and unload luggage. The rear seatback can be easily folded in two using two buttons in the luggage compartment (also possible using the buttons on the rear seat itself). This creates an almost flat loading floor. Ford engineers also came up with a smart storage solution for the pop-up lid. It fits exactly into the Kuga’s double trunk floor.
What about the engines of the new Ford Kuga, characteristics
What will be brought to Ukraine is not yet clear. The European range of engine options includes the Kuga plug-in hybrid, the Kuga EcoBlue hybrid (mild hybrid) and the Kuga hybrid (full hybrid), as well as the 2.0 and 1.5 EcoBlue diesel engines and the 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.
A good choice. Certainly, but due to the difficult tax climate in some European countries, Ford only offers the 225 hp Kuga full hybrid. and EcoBoost Kuga 1.5 with 120 or 150 hp. But let’s compare the characteristics.
Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost 120 hp
Engine type: 3-cylinder in-line turbocharged gasoline engine;- Engine displacement 1,495 l;
- Power 120 hp at 5,500 rpm;
- Torque 240 Nm from 1600 to 3000 rpm;
- Mechanical six-speed gearbox;
- Maximum speed 184 km/h;
- Acceleration in 11.6 s to 100 km/h.
Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost 150 hp
- Engine type: 3-cylinder in-line turbocharged gasoline engine;
- Volume 1,497 l;
- Power 150 hp at 6000 rpm;
- Torque 240 Nm from 1600 to 4000 rpm;
- Mechanical six-speed gearbox;
- Maximum speed 195 km/h;
- Acceleration to 100 km/h in 9.7 s.
Ford Kuga Plug-in Hybrid 225 сил
- Engine type – four-cylinder aspirated;
- Volume 2,488 l;
- Gasoline engine 152 hp;
- Electric motor 130 hp;
- Total power 225 hp;
- 14.4 kWh Lithium Ion battery;
- eCVT transmission;
- Maximum speed 200 km/h;
- Acceleration to 100 km/h – 9.2 s.
Both EcoBoost petrol turbo engines with deactivated cylinder. These are the world’s first three-cylinder deactivated engines. The technology automatically shuts off the cylinder if full engine power is not being used. The cylinder turns on or off within 14 milliseconds. So the driver doesn’t notice.
The power plant of the Ford Kuga PHEV consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle gasoline engine with a capacity of 152 hp, an electric motor / generator with up to 130 hp. and a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 14.4 kWh.
The interaction between the electric motor and the gasoline engine is very smooth. The petrol engine turns on or off without jerking. The battery can be charged via a connector on the front fender and allows the Kuga PHEV to travel 56 kilometers on electric power. The fuel tank cap is located on the left rear. Due to low CO2 emissions of just 26 grams per kilometer, as well as fuel consumption of about two liters per hundred, the hybrid is much more profitable than gasoline versions, at least in operation.
The hybrid transmission is interestingly designed. The driver can make the most of the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid’s electric powertrain in four modes – EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge. When the battery state of charge reaches a minimum, the drive system will automatically switch to EV Auto mode.
The electric motor then backs up the fuel engine with the energy recovered during the trip to save fuel. While driving, the battery is also automatically charged because the system recovers energy that would normally be lost during braking and stores it as electricity in the batteries. Using the EV button in the central tunnel, you can independently switch between modes.
Charging is possible through a regular household outlet or from a special charger, you can use a public charging station if you have one at hand. It takes less than 6 hours to charge the battery, and less than 4 hours with a charging power of 3.7 kW.
Interior and equipment
Vignale is the absolute top model in the Kuga family. You can choose from Trend (basic trim), Titanium, Titanium X, ST-Line, ST-Line X or Vignale. The Titanium looks a bit businesslike, while the Vignale adds luxury with roof rails, bumper inserts and brushed aluminum sill panels. Other Vignale features include a chrome grille, dual exhaust, Windsor leather seat upholstery with bright stitching, and deep pile floor mats. Sounds like we’re describing Rolls-Royce?
The sportier version, the ST-Line, has a 10mm lower suspension and a slightly sportier chassis setup, aside from the sporty bumpers, of course. In addition, the ST-Line features a black grille, front bumper guard, rear bumper diffuser and roof rails, rear spoiler, dual sport exhaust, 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch optional), dark ceiling, ST-Line seats with red stitching, aluminum pedals, flattened steering wheel, floor mats with ST-Line logo and door sills.
On board the new Ford Kuga, you can feel right at home. This is due to the comfortable seat and steering wheel position, the ergonomic layout of the buttons on the dashboard. The front and rear seat cushions are a little short, they could be a little longer.
Sure, the Kuga has a large color touchscreen, but Ford hasn’t forgotten that a physical button can be found much faster on the road than when the driver has to dive into the infotainment menu. Working with climate control is good in the old version. There is nothing wrong. The PHEV variant does not have a shift lever like the manual-transmission petrol version, but has a selection swivel to engage D, N, R, or P.
The Ford Kuga also keeps up with trends in the automotive world: the infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there is an induction charger for wireless charging of smartphones, Ford offers an optional digital instrument cluster (12.3-inch HD display). The Kuga also received a power tailgate that can be opened with a foot flick under the rear bumper. Works great.
On board the Kuga, passengers can surf the internet via a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. It works with at least ten devices simultaneously. Ford is clearly pushing for that number, even though the Kuga only has five seats. Voice commands make it easy to control audio, navigation and climate control. Of course, there are transmission control modes, namely Normal, Sport, Eco, Slippery and Deep Snow/Sand modes.
Prices for Ford Kuga 2020
Let’s be honest, the Ukrainian price tag is still unknown to anyone. But the competitors of our crossover are well known. The Ford Kuga has plenty of them. It is worth remembering Opel Grandland X, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Skoda Karoq and Hyundai Tucson. Ford has positioned its new product at the center of this competitive field. Believe me, the cost of the new Kuga is lower.
It seems to us that it is better to opt for EcoBoost with 120 hp. At least EcoBoost with 150 hp Ford sells it as a base Titanium and with a more voracious engine. Titanium 120 hp costs 35,075 euros, and 1250 euros more expensive – a petrol version with 150 hp. PHEV is available at a price of 36,195 euros, but in the base it comes with a Trend package. The Titanium PHEV package is available from 37,945 euros. However, all European prices are lower.
Prices Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost 120 hp
- Trend: 33.325 euros;
- Titanium: 35.075 euros.
Prices Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost 150 hp
- Titanium: 36.325 euros;
- Titanium X: 38.125 euros;
- ST-Line: 37.825 euros;
- ST-Line X: 39.625 euros.
Prices Ford Kuga 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid 225 hp
- Trend: 36.195 euros;
- Titanium: 37.945 euros;
- Titanium X: 39.745 euros;
- ST-Line: 39.695 euros;
- ST-Line X: 41.495 euros;
- Vignale: 43.740 euros.
Spacious, quiet, comfortable, with a wide choice of engines and trim levels, the new 2000 Ford Kuga would look good in our market. If not for the crisis and crazy import duties. It will definitely appear at our dealers, it’s a matter of time. And it will definitely take its niche and find its buyer.
не зрозуміло з дизельними моторами