Ford is giving the popular Kuga SUV a major update and upgrade for 2024. The Kuga now gets a new face - new grille, lights, bumper, bonnet - a look which has already been on sale for a while in the US market, badged as the Ford Escape. This is its European debut, though.
Big hit with customers
"The Ford Kuga has been a hit with customers since it was first launched in 2008. The new Kuga is our best ever, moving the game forward with new levels of capability, connectivity and comfort," said Jon Williams, general manager of Ford Blue, Europe (Ford Blue is the bit of Ford that still builds cars with combustion engines - there's a separate Ford E that makes electric cars).
There will be a design split between Titanium and ST-Line versions of the updated Kuga, with the ST-Line models looking unsurprisingly sportier.
New touchscreen software
Inside, the Kuga gets an updated touchscreen featuring Ford's latest SYNC4 infotainment software, which we've already seen in the Mustang Mach-E and the Focus hatchback. It gets 5G connectivity, cloud-connected navigation, Amazon Alexa voice assistant, and the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you're towing anything, the system also includes a Trailer Connection Checklist, a countdown of all the little things you need to remember when safely and properly hitching up a trailer or a caravan.
There's also Trailer Tow Navigation which allows you to enter the combined dimensions of your Kuga and trailer, and the nav will select a route that's safer and easier for you. Ford seems to have gone big on the whole towing thing with this Kuga, also pointing out that it can haul a maximum of 2,100kg with a braked load.
69km EV range for plug-in hybrid
There's also a major update for the Kuga's plug-in hybrid version, which uses the same 2.5-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine but gets a battery upgrade, allowing it to cover a potential 69km on one charge.
On the safety front, there's the new adaptive cruise control which can slow the Kuga for upcoming corners, and there's a new 360-degree parking camera. In the back, there's a new sliding rear bench seat which can either slide back for up to one metre of rear legroom or slide forward to unlock an extra 140 litres of storage space in the boot. The optional comfort seats are approved by a leading spinal health organisation, incidentally.
The Kuga also gets new LED headlights with auto high beam, and there are optional Pixel LED lights with active functions, including selective dimming and cornering.
Irish prices and arrival dates haven't been announced yet, but we'll update this news piece when they are.