Ford’s fantastic range of EcoBoost small capacity/big power turbo-boosted engines has expanded lately with the newer 1.6-litre version appearing in both the wonderfully entertaining Fiesta ST and the attractive and practical Kuga.
In one application it is every bit as brilliant as its 2.0-litre cousin, while in the other it actually leaves a bit to be desired. Unfortunately for the Kuga, it is most definitely NOT the brilliant one…
Outside
Likes: Handsome and distinctive. Lots of nice little details, like the bonnet strakes. Has lots of presence, while not actually being all that big.
Dislikes: Does look quite a bit like the last one, except for the squinty nose, which is, well, squinty…
Inside
Likes: Distinctive Ford family interior works well in Kuga. Everything is exactly where you instinctively think it should be. Fantastic quality. Sync system works well with familiarity.
Dislikes: But it does take a while to get used to it. Dash and door trims tend to look a bit busy with all the angles running though them. While the materials are of a high quality, the build quality is suspect, with a number of rattles present in our 3,500km test car. Heated windscreen is brilliant, but in certain light the elements are visible and rather distracting.
Under the bonnet
Likes: 134kW/240Nm 1.6-litre EcoBoost is an impressively strong unit. Pulls like a larger engine and has good power off the line.
Dislikes: There is the odd occasion where the engine’s lack of capacity shows through, particularly on hills. Dual clutch transmission is a bit slow to respond to throttle inputs. It is remarkably thirsty for a small engine. Even for a big one…
On the road
Likes: Kuga has a comfortable, pliable ride that is only ever composed. Has a light, chuckable feel to it. Great steering weight and response. Feels like a Focus.
Dislikes: Feels like a Focus, but a noticeably soft, slightly top heavy one, meaning it is not the sharpest tool though the corners. Transmission’s slow-wittedness hampers enthusiastic driving.
Verdict
The Kuga Titanium certainly is an impressively specced, attractive, comfortable car. It ticks all the right boxes on paper, and with its convincingly low price, would seem to be the no-brainer pick in the segment.
Except it’s not quite that easy in this particular corner of the market. The decision is made even cloudier by the fact that, while the Ford certainly looks to be a clear winner on paper, in reality things don’t come together quite so well…
While the idea of a small, powerful EcoBoost engine sounds good, in practice the little 1.6 is asked to do quite a lot. The result is an engine that struggles to return decent fuel consumption figures. It is more than powerful enough, but returns figures in the low teens (13.2L/100km by the end of our time with it compared to the factory claim of 7.7) when driven in broadly the same conditions as a Toyota RAV4 petrol which returned 8.5L/100km.
Other than this, the Kuga is an enjoyable little package, with a quality interior and a modern, sexy exterior. The huge amount of specification and sheer quality may be enough to overcome the surprising fuel usage for a lot of people. For others, the fuel usage will be enough to put them off. Still, it is definitely worth consideration.
Price: $52,990
Engine: 1.6-litre inline four-cylinder petrol
Power/torque: 134kW/240Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
0-100km/h: n/a
Fuel consumption: 7.7L/100km
CO2 emissions: 179g/km
