Ford Kuga PHEV Review - The Best Hybrid SUV Available?
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- Опубликовано: 18 окт 2024
- BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A FORD KUGA PHEV FROM OSV: bit.ly/3iDeumI
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 offers that tech with its third generation Kuga crossover. There are the usual PHEV calling card features here - a 35 mile all-electric driving range, a super-low Benefit-in-Kind taxation rating and a rather high sticker price. Built into a package that should feel a touch more dynamic than most of its rivals.
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's taken 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 freshly introduced Puma crossover which slots in below this model. It's just as well the Canadian-built Edge SUV is no more as the Kuga PHEV's asking price would have trampled all over it and is knocking on the door of premium territory.
Driving Experience
Unlike the mild hybrid model in the Kuga range (which is a 2.0-litre diesel), 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. This engine is paired with a 108bhp electric motor, resulting in a useful total output of 222bhp, with the electrified element of the whole set-up powered by a decently-sized 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery and the whole shooting match mated to a CVT automatic gearbox. Keep the battery cells topped up and theoretically, up to 35 miles of WLTP-rated electric driving range is possible, though a 25-28 mile range expectation is probably more realistic.
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 unlike its PSA Group Plug-in SUV rivals, this Kuga PHEV can only be had with front wheel drive. 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 takes 9.2s 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. If you're not familiar with this third generation design, you'll find it to be significantly bigger than its predecessor, 44mm wider and 89mm longer with a wheelbase increased by 20mm.
At the wheel, it's much as it would be in a Focus hatch, with the usual 8-inch centre-dash SYNC 3 infotainment touchscreen. Upper-spec Kuga variants though, differ from their Focus counterparts in their provision of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Because this third generation Kuga model's C2 platform was designed around an electrified remit, there are no special compromises for rear seat passengers over the conventional models and you still get a rear bench that can slide back and forth over 150mm, allowing you to choose between legroom and luggage space behind. Which is just as well because luggage space behind 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).
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Test drove one of these the other day as switching from an M4 and want practicality and reduced costs. I have to say i was really impressed. It drove beautifully. So much so im picking one up in a week as my next car
Fantastic to hear! Wishing you the best with your Ford Kuga 👍
By far the best car review I've ever watched.
That's fantastic to hear, Ade. Thanks for watching! Make sure to subscribe for the latest in-depth vehicle reviews: bit.ly/319ZKoT
Great review! Personally I still prefer a regular estate but this is clearly a practical family car that still has a bit of driver fun. PHEVs seem to be under attack now but for people that regularly do lower mileage up to about 30 miles and charge them they can deliver a lot of zero emissions driving and very low running costs. For people doing a lot of motorway mileage they're not a good choice
Excellent review . Well done. really tempted by the Hybrid.
Thanks for watching! Fill-in this quick form and one of our vehicle experts will get in touch regarding the Kuga Hybrid: bit.ly/39YHCml
Would be helpful when talking specs such as fuel efficiency if you guys could put the numbers texted on the video. Since not everyone is from the UK, we have to convert those numbers into l/km and such :(
Many thanks for the suggestion. We'll take this on-board 👍
I test drove this PHEV and it was really nice. I can only find two negative things, the price and lack of 4 wheel drive.
Great to hear you enjoyed your test drive, Babbis! If you'd like to get behind the wheel of a new Ford Kuga PHEV, do get in touch with our team: www.osv.ltd.uk/hello-youtube/
Great and in-detail review.
Can you please make a comparison review of VW Tiguan PHEV vs Ford Kuga ST-line X PHEV?
Good professional review
Cheers Edward! If you're thinking about getting the Kuga PHEV, get in touch with our Vehicle Specialists on 01903 538835 or book a date/time to chat: bit.ly/3soFVbF
Strange repeat of a lot of driving mode information in the second third of the video. Good to see more competition in this space.
Do you have any comment on the clutch issue and the fire hazard mentioned in risk with this car?
In the video, it was stated that this vehicle was designed to allow a BEV platform; there should be enough space for the battery pack, so Ford "What are you waiting for?"
19:30 *I would suggest that remark made excludes any cost of recharging - FREE Electric !!!*
Nice auto, the future of motoring is electric.
why there is now gasoline 1.6 engine?
I like its simple looks, better than those competitors that are over styled. Shame it's built by Ford as I'm not a fan of their build quality in North America.
This is built in Europe, and while perhaps not at Japanese level of build quality, it’s much better than North American built Fords
Are the car charges included?
Hello there 👋 A domestic charging cable is supplied with the Kuga as standard.
Nice prefer it to the old one but still other brands seem better for the money.
this car is hot, some say its on fire, wait what?
I love Jeep, but they lack certain features I want. So confusing.
Shame Ford have issued a recall on these due to some catching fire when charging via a cable, not the engine regen! My dad has one and has been told not to charge his electric vehicle and that that they won't be fixing the issue as yet when he took it in for the recall! So he's now left with a petrol car with extra weight in the boot of the batteries! Understandably he's very unhappy as the car isn't doing what it's meant to do regarding EV side of things, he's also been told it's highly unlikely he'll get any compensation for the extra fuel he'll be using as he was going to use it mainly as an EV due to him doing low daily mileage! I'd steer clear for a while until the problems solved!
Hi Ronnie, having done a bit of research it appears that the recalls were for any Ford Kuga PHEVs manufactured before 26 June 2020.
OSV yes I believe that's right but considering my dad only took delivery about 5 weeks ago there's a fair chance that some of those made before that date are still sat on forecourts waiting to be sold to unsuspecting customers! Not only that, they have told my dad that they won't be fixing the issue until they know the exact cause! So if they don't know the exact cause, what's to say the vehicles made after that date won't suffer the same issue?
OSV i only took delivery of my 70 plate a few weeks ago and mines recalled as well
All kugas phev are recalled! This car catches fire! DO NOT BUY! I have one...and cant recharge since I bought it... Ford sucks! I m so dissappointed... DO NOT BUY FORD! EVER!!!
The owner posts in the comments about the PHEV recall x 2 make this sound like an absolute dumpster fire of a car launch. That owners are not being offered any compensation either makes it sound to me like Ford is going to have to deal with the equivalent of substantial class action being taken against it.
The music on this vlog is absolutely terrible and very annoying thus ruining what would otherwise be a fine review of the Ford Kuga PHEV
Hi Ray, sorry to hear that. We'll pass on your feedback to our video team.
*So I might have this wrong, but to charge up on a home 7½ KWh @ 3½ hours is going to cost in the region of £3 worth of Electricity to get you 30 Miles.*
Hi,
It depends greatly on what your tariff is. However, there are free chargers available at various locations (including supermarkets) depending upon your location. On our website we have information on the cost of charging vehicles at home and at public chargers.
I like the exterior but the interior looks cheap and bland. I don't trust Ford's build quality or the cost cutting they might have done underneath the skin. Great review as always.
Thanks for your comment Mike. Are you looking for a new vehicle at the moment?
This is rather a video catalogue rather than a review, which usually should contain sort of opinion...which this here is almost free of
Hi Ron, are you looking for a new vehicle at the moment?
No, too many adds and the music is over powering... ruined an otherwise brilliant review
We appreciate the feedback, David. Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy this review.
sadly if you order one today it will take 9 months to deliver at this time
Delivery times are slowly but surely improving. If you'd like to keep up-to-date with the latest information then reach out to our team 👍
He said that if you don't charge it you'll be driving a heavy petrol car. This is just plain wrong. It reverts to a 'normal' hybrid . Unprofessional and misleading, he should know better.
Hi there, thank you for the feedback. We aim to be as impartial as possible in our reviews. We're sorry that you found this comment misleading.
@@rivervalegroup It's not a question of impartiality is it . You are factually incorrect and should do better.
No-one Man. How’s your RUclips channel doing? 🤔 er no, I didn’t think so!
@@bikeronnie - I'm still waiting to hear what your point is !!!!!!
No-one Man. You’re criticising OSV and telling them that they “should do better” yet I don’t see you out there doing what they are! Doing better!
wow, you really just MADE up a gas-only mpg estimate, saying lucky to get 35....look at ANY review with real world testing or ANY agency's testing in the world: it gets always ABOVE 40 mpg. Don't be a liar just because you're ignorant on this particular model and ASSUME it's like other PHEV's; it's not, it's much lighter weight and it's only FWD, and thus its fuel economy is MUCH better. Get educated before opening your mouth
The paint application quality on the review car looks to be terrible and probably unacceptable. Is it as bad in the metal as it looks on video?
*Optional Extra **_Orange Peel_** Finish.*
Stick to diesel folks.
I had a kuga with the diesel and the Powershift gearbox,the fuel consumption was abysmal,the best it ever did was to Scotland and struggled to touch 40mpg,I won’t go there again and replaced it with a BMW 2series gran tourer 7seater 2ltr diesel 8speed auto 4x4 that did 55mpg comfortably. Ford keep contacting me asking if I would like a test drive,not a chance after the last one and now they’ve got problems with charging the the new one and put a CVT transmission in it as well just to make it more unacceptable to buyers,I think Ford have lost the plot.
CVT gearbox.....yuk!
U guys speak too much and it's just a car stop projecting it like a plane.....show car more and keep ur theory to urself.....