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The new Ford Kuga

THE "family car with occasional off road ability and high seating position" (more commonly known as a "crossover") is a niche that Ford just could not resist slotting a model into. Hence its new Kuga.

Already occupied by offerings from the likes of Nissan, Honda, Peugeot/ Citroën and even BMW, the crossover class is a crowded one and a significant number of drivers have forsaken the conventional family hatchback for its off-road-styled cousin.

Now even more look set to do so, with the comforting reassurance of a Ford badge on the bonnet.

First shown as a design concept - the Iosis X - in 2006, the Kuga's path from sketchbook to forecourt has been a comparatively rapid one. Alas, its main rivals all have at least a year's headstart on it, while current fuel prices and environmental concerns make anything with a "4x4" image as welcome as a piranha at a nudist beach.

Luckily, Ford has a couple of green cards to play, with a combined fuel consumption figure of almost 45mpg and emissions which put the Kuga in VED band E - the former being very respectable for a 4x4 while the latter keeps it out of the punishing higher tax bands and allows the government to extract only £170 a year for a tax disc.

These figures make the Kuga a viable purchase, instead of rendering it a forecourt Pariah (at least the way 4x4 sales are at the moment).

Ford has achieved them by making the four-wheel-drive system "on demand", allocating power to the rear wheels only when electronic dynamics systems judge that the front wheels' grip needs a little extra assistance. The inherent efficiency of Ford's 2.0 diesel engine also helps, as does some weight-saving measures, such as the use of plastic panels for the front wings and part of the tailgate.

The Kuga also has other attractions, such as its looks. While it can't boast the radical looks of the design study it sprang from, the Kuga still cuts a dramatic dash on the road, with sculpted flanks, a swoopy roofline and a purposeful stance. It's still unmistakably a Ford, bearing the current corporate "face".

Based on the Focus/C-Max platform, the Kuga handles well on-road, despite its increased height and bulk.

The 136bhp TDCi unit mated to a six-speed box (the only powertrain available so far) is a proven stormer of a motor when used in a Focus.

Although it loses a little of its exuberance in the heavier Kuga, there's still enough performance to keep things interesting.

The interior, especially on our Titanium-trimmed version (the higher of two choices), is retrained, classy and comfortable, while equipment levels are as you would expect from a £22,000 car, including cruise control, dual-zone climate control, automatic wipers and lights and other useful features.

There is plenty of room in the cabin for the average family, while the estate-like rear loadspace can be accessed by a handy hatch in the rear tailgate as well as by actually opening the tailgate itself.

If you are looking to spend around £20,000 (range starts at £20,500 OTR) on a comfortable and practical family car with occasional off-road abilities, the Kuga, like most Fords, has to be near the top of your list.

For further information, contact Gowrings Ford on 0845 338 5958.

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