The Kuga PHEV was Ford's first plug-in model and in this improved form offers all the usual virtues common to this kind of technology, plus a few of its own. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

It seems you can't have a cutting-edge mid-sized SUV of any kind these days without having a plug-in hybrid version, so Ford continues to offers that tech with this improved version of its third generation Kuga crossover. EV driving range and tax-beating overall CO2 efficiency have been considerably improved with this updated model, which also gets a sharper look and a rejuvenated cabin. Plus it's much faster and can tow heavier loads. Worth a second look then.

Background

Perhaps being a market leader is about following established trends rather than pioneering new ones. Ford certainly seems to work that way. The Blue Oval brand didn't really establish any sort of real presence in the SUV sector until the second generation version of its mid-sized Kuga crossover model was facelifted in 2016. And it took the company until the 21st century's third decade to launch its first volume made EV (the Mustang Mach-E) and its first plug-in car, the Kuga PHEV model which is our focus here. This is the third generation Kuga, moved subtly up-market to make space for the Puma crossover which slots in below this model. In early 2024, Ford updated this MK3 Kuga with a smarter look, a redesigned cabin and a bit more sophistication. And gave this PHEV version more power, greater towing ability and a longer EV range.

Driving Experience

As you'd expect, this PHEV variant is petrol-powered. Ford didn't have a Euro-market green pump-fuelled engine that was suitable for plug-in tech, so has borrowed for this installation a 2.5-litre unit that it uses with the US market 'Escape'-branded version of this car. As before, there's a CVT automatic gearbox but for this revised model, the engine is now paired with a more powerful electric motor (taking total power to 243PS) and a revised 14.4kWh battery that now allows for a much longer EV driving range (almost 43 miles). A 30-35 mile range expectation is probably more realistic. Ford's improved towing capacity to 2,100kgs. You'll need to get your head around all the drive modes. As well as the usual 'Normal', 'Eco' and 'Sport' settings, there's also a 'Slippery Deep Snow/Sand' mode - which is curious because this Kuga PHEV can only be had with front wheel drive. It can now though, be had in a more SUV-orientated 'Active' trim, which has a ride height raised by 10mm at the front and 5mm at the rear. Back to drive modes; there are also four further settings for the electric drivetrain: 'EV Now' focuses the drivetrain on all-electric output; 'EV Charge' (rather inefficiently) tops up the battery using the engine; and 'EV Later' holds the current state of charge so that you can save it for urban driving you might want to do later in your trip. Most of the time though, you'll simply leave the car in 'EV Auto', where clever electronics determine the most efficient use of engine and battery power. You can boost brake regeneration (and therefore energy harvesting) by clicking on an 'L' button on the gear selector. And in theory, it's possible to drive at up to 85mph on battery power alone. With the full powertrain working, 62mph from rest now takes 7.3s (almost 2 seconds faster than before) en route to 124mph.

Design and Build

There are no really obvious visual giveaways that this plug-in variant is the PHEV model in the range - unless you're sharp-eyed enough to spot the extra flap for the charging point. The visual changes made to this improved model go a little further than the usual facelift wash and brush-up. The most obvious differences are at the front, which features redesigned headlamps and a reprofiled grille. Smarter tail lamps, different alloy wheel designs and a fresh palette of colours complete the exterior changes. Arguably of greater significance are the updates inside. As part of the media upgrade to its latest SYNC4 infotainment set-up, Ford has added a much larger 13.2-inch central touchscreen. It has fewer physical buttons flanking the monitor and includes cloud-based navigation, over-the-air updates, a 5G data connection and wireless 'Apple CarPlay and 'Android Auto', along with Amazon Alexa. The 12.3-inch digital instrument display you view through the wheel is also new, featuring graphics that change with the selected drive mode. Not so good is the fact that all physical climate controls (bar the windscreen demister) been moved to the central touchscreen. That demister's function button now sits alongside the switchgear that was previously on the centre console (for the rear view camera and drive modes). Which has freed up space for an extra centre console cubby. As before, for rear seat passengers, the entire second row of seats can be moved backwards for best-in-class 1,035mm rear legroom, or forwards to increase boot space by 67-litres. A remote release function enables the second row to be folded flat with ease. Luggage space is significantly reduced by the plug-in package - down from 475 to 411-litres. Slide the rear seat forward as far as it will go (in which case there'll be very little legroom for back seat folk) and there'll be 581-litre of room (down from 645-litres normally).

Market and Model

Pricing from the launch of this revised model sat in the £40,500 to £42,000 bracket and there are three Kuga PHEV trim levels - 'ST-Line', 'Active' and 'ST-Line X'. Even the base 'ST-Line' variant is well equipped, with 18-inch alloy wheels, full-LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, silver roof rails, power-folding mirrors, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, a 'Quickclear' heated windscreen, cruise control, all-round parking sensors and a rear view camera. Inside, you get the full media upgrade - a 13-inch SYNC4 centre touchscreen and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. Plus Electronic Automatic Temperature Control and second row sliding seats. Plus you also get black roof rails, a hands-free powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera, extra camera safety features and power-adjustable front seats. The 'ST-Line' grade also gives you red brake calipers, sports suspension, a body styling kit and power-adjustable Sensico-upholstered sports seats with black neosuede inserts and red stitching. 'ST-Line X'-spec adds larger 19-inch wheels, a power-opening panorama roof and heat for the front and rear seats and steering wheel. The 'Active' version gets active lifted suspension.

Cost of Ownership

We normally start this section with fuel and CO2 stats but perhaps of greatest interest to a potential Kuga PHEV buyer will be this model's Benefit-in-Kind taxation rating. From launch, a 40% tax payer would be BiK-rated at just £108 a month - it would be over £370 for the Hybrid and over £420 for the 1.5 EcoBoost unit. This PHEV model's improved tax showing is thanks to a WLTP-rated CO2 emissions figure of up to 21g/km. To give you some perspective here, the alternative Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost petrol model emits 145g/km of CO2, which translates into a lofty 36% banding. In short, it's not difficult to see the appeal of the PHEV drivetrain. Particularly when you take into account the quoted WLTP-rated combined cycle economy stat - up to 313.9mpg (up from 282.5mpg with the pre-facelifted model). As with any plug-in hybrid, this fantasy figure reading has no actual relation to what you'll achieve in day-to-day driving reality, which probably won't be that much different to what you'd have got from the old Kuga diesel variant. And obviously, if you neglect to charge the car up, you'll simply be driving a heavy petrol-powered SUV, in which case you'll be lucky to see around 35mpg in regular use. But a typical Kuga PHEV owner will want to get to grips with the charging regime that will make the sums add up here. There's no quick-charge capability as there would be in a full-EV. The quickest you'll be able to recharge from empty is in 3.5 hours from a 7.4kW garage wallbox. A standard 3-pin plug will charge the car in around six hours.

Summary

Adding the weight and complexity of a PHEV system doesn't do the Kuga any favours in terms of either its handling or its price positioning. Ford though, is hoping that target market customers will think these drawbacks an acceptable trade for the not inconsiderable benefit of being able to slash taxation payments and being able to conduct almost exclusively electrified mileage. Which this car does even more impressively in this smartly improved form. This car's growing array of mid-sized SUV plug-in rivals all have much the same appeal of course, but this Kuga should feel a more interesting steer than any of them, despite its near-1.9-tonne kerb weight. Which is important. Just because your next family car might need to be in some way electric, it doesn't have to feel like some kind of domestic appliance. Ford knows how to create something better. And it shows with this car.

Body Glass

Quickclear heated windscreen

Rain sensing wipers

Rear wiper

Power front/rear windows with global close

Rear privacy glass

Brakes

Dynamic brake support

Electronic stability control (ESC) and ABS

Red brake calipers

Pre collision assist with autonomous emergency braking

Chassis/Suspension

Sports suspension

Twist beam rear suspension

Driver Aids

Power assist steering

Lane keeping aid with lane departure warning

360 degree camera

Selectable drive modes

Front and rear parking sensors

Lane centering assist

Driver Convenience

Hands free power tailgate

Ford easy fuel

Driver Information

12.3" digital colour instrument cluster

Service interval indicator

e-Call (emergency call)

Ford SYNC 4 nav with 13" touchscreen, DAB radio, emergency assistance, andriod auto/apple carPlay, 5G modem & Ford pass connect

Driving Mirrors

Power heated folding door mirrors with puddle lights, memory function and camera

Entertainment

B&O premium audio system with 10 speakers, subwoofer and 2 USB ports

Exterior Body Features

Power opening panoramic roof

Rear side wing doors

Black roof rails

Pop out door edge protectors

ST-Line body styling kit

Body colour bumpers

Large rear spoiler

Exterior Lights

Third brake light

LED rear lights

LED daytime running lights

Auto headlamps with high and low beam

Front LED fog lamps

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Electronic automatic temperature control (EATC)

Interior Features

Partial premium touch sensico upholstery

Packs

Driver assistance pack with intelligent adaptive cruise control - Kuga FHEV/PHEV

Winter pack - Kuga

Safety

Rear seat Occupancy alert

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Manual child proof rear door locks

Ford MyKey Gen 2 safety system

Drivers knee airbag

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Airbags - front driver/passenger, front and rear curtain

Evasive steering assist

Seats

12 way ergonomic power adjust passenger seat (AGR certified)

Rear centre head restraint

2nd row sliding seats

Sports seats

Front and rear head restraints

Single front passenger seat

12 way ergonomic power adjust driver's seat with memory (AGR certified)

Security

Thatcham category 1 alarm

Keyless entry and Ford power start button

Remote powered central double locking doors

Locking wheel nuts

Engine immobiliser

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 360

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 3.7

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 210

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 14.4

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - AER (km) - Comb: 66

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Extra High: 48

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 66

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (kWh/100km) - Comb: 16.7

WLTP - AER (miles) - Comb: 41

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.7

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 41

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Extra High: 29.8

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Front

Usable Battery Capacity: 10.7

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 7

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Low - TEL: 193

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Low - TEH: 195

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 64

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 73

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - High - TEL: 104

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - High - TEH: 109

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 143

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 148

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 23

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 21

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 23

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 89

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 100

CC: 2498

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Low: 33.2

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Medium: 88.3

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - High: 58.9

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Extra High: 43.5

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Low: 8.5

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Medium: 3.2

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - High: 4.8

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.5

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 1

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 0.9

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 1

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 282.5

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 313.9

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 282.5

General

Coin Series: ST-Line X

Coin Description: PHEV

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 26E

Service Interval Mileage: 18000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Badge Power: 243

Badge Engine CC: 2.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 3

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.3

Top Speed: 125

Engine Power - BHP: 243

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 178

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 147

Engine Torque - NM: 200

Engine Torque - MKG: 20.4

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 225/55 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 225/55 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: N

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4615

Width: 1882

Wheelbase: 2711

Width (including mirrors): 2177

Height: 1623

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1784

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2400

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 45

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2100

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 616

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 628

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1517

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.4

Carpets/Rugs

Luggage compartment mats

Driver Information

Head up Display

Exterior Body Features

Premium paint

Exterior Lights

Glare free dynamic matrix LED headlamps with a 'Coast-to-Coast' light bar between the headlights

Interior Features

Luggage compartment nets with mounting points for load retention guards

Mounting points for load retention guards

Packs

Tow bar pre-equipment pack - Kuga

Paint - Solid

Solid - Frozen white

Paint - Special

Premium paint - Desert island blue

Premium paint - Solar silver

Premium paint - Agate Black

Premium paint - Bursting green

Premium paint - Magnetic

Towing

Retractable towbar with electrical release function

Trim - Part Leather

Partial premium touch sensico - Black neosuede inserts with red stitching

Vehicle Charging

Home socket charge cable in lieu of single phase public charge cable

Home socket charge cable

Wheels - Alloy

20" 5x2 spoke absolute black and machined alloy wheel

Wheels - Spare

Mini steel spare wheel