Ford Kuga – pleasant performance on urban, long roads

Regular road trips by the Polokwane Observer editorial team has never been as pleasant as the recent drive to Musina and Mapungubwe National Park in an eager-to-perform Ford Kuga powered with a 2,5 litre turbocharged engine.
Courtesy of Auto Image who provided the well looked after pre-owned Kuga with just over 60 000 km on the odometer, the journey north became enjoyable the moment the Start/Stop button was pressed and the smooth idling of the powerful engine became music in the ears.
Ford’s dashing Kuga compact SUV has reached the South African market a few years ago plugging a gaping hole in the manufacturer’s line-up. The Kuga quickly had set a new trend and recorded impressive growth since its launch on local grounds. Getting on to the N1 one has to maintain a light foot on the accelerator as a speeding fine is easy to get behind the steering wheel. Luckily the cruise control is available by the press of a button on the steering wheel to keep the willing engine at bay.

When it came to the Soutpansberg mountain pass the Kuga did not hesitate once to accelerate during the uphill. Overtaking other vehicles is effortless as the 2,5 litre opens up all channels when you step down on the accelerator. The Kuga features the same five-cylinder turbocharged engine equipped in Ford’s sports vehicle, Focus ST. The engine is one of the most powerful in its segment, delivering 147 kW and a meaty 320 Nm of torque from 1 600 to 4 000 r/min. It is mated with a 5-tronic 5-speed automatic transmission. The transmission gives the option of shifting via tapping of the lever.
In typical Ford fashion, the ride and handling balance is also excellent. Whether it is dodging a pothole or general handling on the road the Kuga is precise keeping the car on the road with little effort.
Besides its good looks, performance and on-road dynamics, the Kuga’s other big draw card is its standard specification. It comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a split tailgate, cruise control, Bluetooth plus voice control, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel, full leather upholstery and a 6-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat among many other items. The cabin design is still modern and the soft-touch plastics, as well as cloth inserts and metallic finishes lend a premium air to the cabin.
There’s plenty space, too, and some clever storage solutions – the glove compartment is large, the storage box between the seats is huge, and there is even storage space under the rear seat cushions. Overall, the Kuga is attractive, fast, handles well, spacious and packed with comfort and safety features.
The specific model is a 2012 Ford Kuga 2,5T AWD Titanium A/T and is available at Auto Image for only R229 900. For more information visit Auto Image at 57 Bok Street or contact them on 015 291 2263.

Story & Photos: RC Myburgh
The Ford Kuga ensured a pleasant journey to Musina and Mapungubwe.