In the driving report:

Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi 4 × 4 Powershift

The Ford Kuga is part of the “One Ford strategy” and, with a total length of a good 4.50 meters, can just about be classified as a “compact SUV”. A booming vehicle class, and not just here. It's time to test the Kuga. And of course I want to know whether a Ford from the 2013 model year still bears the signature of the brilliant Henry Ford.

The Ford Kuga TDCi 4 × 4 Powershift

class leader

The Ford Kuga doesn't want to be much less than the class leader. The experts at Ford gave him some talent to help him along the way. The 140 hp diesel with the dual transmission dubbed “Powershift” was tested.

On the right way

The Kuga will endure the same as the multitude of all SUVs, really off-road you will not get it, instead, provide the ground clearance and four-wheel drive for comfort and visibility on the one hand and traction in winter on the other side. The Kuga reminds from the front of the Ford brother Focus. In the sidelines, the rising shoulder and the pointed C-pillar dominate the formal language. The front overhang should not be conducive to wilder antics in the forest and meadow use and because I want to test the vehicles where they will be used later, I have used the clever four-wheel drive of the Kuga only for road.

inner space

You can sit comfortably on the chairs in the first row, the adjustment options for the seats and the steering wheel also allow people with non-standardized body dimensions to find plenty of space. The cockpit seems confusing at first with its many small buttons in the center console. At first glance, the numerous display options in the cockpit are a bit too many. But you quickly get used to the operating concept of the Kuga. And thanks to modern technology such as the FORD Sync system, many functions can also be used without any buttons. Why they were so generous with small chrome buttons - I didn't understand.

The optional panoramic roof provides a clear view towards the sky and ensures a bright interior. I can see what you can not see. 

The seats in the second row feel a little too tightly padded for my taste, there is no reason to complain about the space available. The Kuga fulfills in the interior, what he has promised from the outside: Practical motorhome!

140 PS Diesel

Ford offers the Kuga with four different engines. The 150 HP EcoBoost petrol engine is the entry level and a 182 HP EcoBoost (both with 1.6 liter displacement!) The upper HP limit. The 140 PS TDCi is the entry-level diesel engine. Alternatively, the 2.ol TDCI is also available with 163 hp.

In the test car, the 140 PS TDCi was installed, he sent his 320 Nm force to an 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. PowerShift call the Ford people their Getrag-made dual-clutch box. Unlike other dual-clutch transmissions, sportiness is not the top priority but comfort and efficiency, and it's fun to see how the engine and transmission work together. In everyday life, the 320 Nm strong four-cylinder diesel pulls the compact SUV Kuga sovereign through the traffic. That was changed a gear, you only notice the twitch of the tachometer. Thanks to the early power you rarely need more than 2.000 revolutions. This in turn benefits the consumption of the Kuga.

Performance:

PS

140

at 3.750 rpm

torque

320

from 1.700 rpm

Capacity

1.997

ccm³

hazards

Ford packs the Kuga full with all sorts of assistance systems and usually I'm more of the guy who deactivates everything again, because the systems do not always work as you would like. Then it beeps, it flashes and in the end you wonder where the progress has been.

But the Kuga in the PowerShift version with 140 PS literally cries out for the long stage. And once you've driven 1.000 kilometers through boring landscapes, you suddenly learn to appreciate active help - especially if it works as well as in the Kuga.

Traffic sign recognition, for example. Never before have I tested a system that recognized all signs so reliably. Perfect. Or the lane keeping assistant. Perfect in its coordination. The only thing I considered correct and important before the Kuga was the distance dial for the cruise control. And this system also works without criticism in the Kuga compact SUV! The assistant for the “blind spot” also helps to avert danger.

The only thing that could be criticized is the fact that the systems in the Driver Assistance package are put together and are subject to a charge even in the Titanium equipment.

Realistic consumption values ​​according to the "Three types of method"

Everyday driver, without savings

6.3

Eco expert with “the” green toe

5.1

Field service with full throttle desire

9.8

All figures in liters on 100 kilometers | diesel

Advantages, disadvantages and the conclusion; on the next page it continues.

Fahrbericht  |  Advantages disadvantages | Technical data | Gallery

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