Ford Kuga (2026) review: space, equipment and running costs for a family SUV

Overview

The Ford Kuga sits in the heart of the family SUV market, aiming to cover the basics—space, everyday usability and sensible running costs—while also delivering something many rivals struggle with: genuine enjoyment on a twisty road. In this latest form, it remains a big, practical five-seat SUV with a tall driving position and a strong focus on family-friendly features. It’s also one of the more agile cars in its class, with steering that gives a clearer sense of what the front wheels are doing than you might expect.

That said, the Kuga isn’t an all-rounder without compromises. The cabin design is plain and can feel dated next to alternatives, and some of the plastics lower down in the dashboard and centre console come across as cheaper than what you’ll find in several competitors. The move to screen-based heating controls also makes simple adjustments more fiddly while driving. And while it’s comfortable over larger bumps, it can be jiggly on rougher town roads and can thud into potholes, even on smaller wheels.

If you’re comparing options in this segment, the Kuga’s blend of space and driver appeal will be a draw, but you may prefer alternatives if your priorities are interior ambience, infotainment ease-of-use, or a softer ride.

Design and trim highlights

From the outside, the Kuga has a sporty front end, with a large grille and prominent badge flanked by sweeping headlights. Beyond that, the styling can look a little generic, though the Active version adds chunkier body cladding for a more rugged appearance.

Trim choice makes a noticeable difference to the look and equipment. Active brings a tougher visual theme and lifted suspension, while ST-Line and above lean into sportier bodywork. At the top end, Sound Edition adds bespoke colour and wheel choices, plus upgraded audio and model-specific interior trim.

• Active: rugged look, lifted suspension, 360-degree cameras and active cruise control (as tested).
• ST-Line / ST-Line X: sportier styling; ST-Line X adds features such as adaptive cruise control and heated seats front and rear, plus a glass sunroof and 19-inch wheels.
• Black Package (option): 20-inch wheels and gloss black exterior styling elements.
• Sound Edition: bespoke colour and wheels, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and model-specific interior trim.

Interior: layout, screens and usability

The Kuga’s cabin is straightforward and functional rather than flashy. Two screens dominate the dashboard: a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 13.0-inch central touchscreen. The driver display has crisp graphics and allows you to change what information is shown, with the background changing depending on the selected driving mode.

The 13.0-inch touchscreen is a major step up in size from the previous 8.0-inch unit. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the screen itself looks modern. However, the software can be tricky to navigate, and the biggest usability drawback is that the previous physical air-conditioning controls have been replaced by on-screen controls. In day-to-day driving, that makes quick temperature or fan changes less convenient.

Material quality is mixed. Overall build feels solid, but there are scratchy plastics around the centre console and lower dashboard areas. Against rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson or Peugeot 3008, the Kuga can feel like it uses cheaper materials in places.

One clever practical touch is fitted to every Kuga: pop-out edge protectors on the doors, designed to help prevent paint damage when opening doors in tight parking spaces.

Driving position and storage

It’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. The seats and steering wheel offer plenty of adjustment, and most drivers will appreciate the raised SUV seating position that improves forward visibility and makes it easier to judge the front of the car when parking. Taller drivers may wish the seat could drop a little lower, but the overall driving position is one of the Kuga’s strengths.

Cabin storage is also strong. There are multiple bottle holders in the doors, deep centre-console cubbies, cupholders near the gear selector, and a tray area that works well for a phone. All models come with wireless phone charging. There’s also a roof-mounted sunglasses holder and a glovebox that’s average for this class.

Rear-seat space and family practicality

Rear accommodation is a highlight. The rear doors open wide, which helps when loading children into car seats, and there’s plenty of room for a rear-facing child seat. ISOFIX mounts are fitted to the two outer rear seats and are easy to access.

Adults in the back get lots of leg and foot room, and the rear seats slide and recline so you can balance passenger comfort against boot capacity. If the optional panoramic sunroof is fitted, tall adults may find their head brushing the roof, though the sunroof also makes the rear feel airier. Without it, the rear can feel a little dingy.

Three adults can fit across the rear bench, but it’s a squeeze. The middle passenger has to contend with an awkward seatbelt clip that can dig into their thigh, although the small hump in the floor doesn’t steal much foot space.

Rear passengers also get useful door bins, seatback pockets, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders, plus a coat hook on the door pillar. The window line is low enough for younger children to see out without straining.

Boot space and load flexibility

The Kuga’s boot is a practical shape and easy to use, but its headline capacity trails some key alternatives. With the rear seats in their normal position, the Kuga offers 526 litres of space (or 475 litres in the plug-in hybrid). That’s less than the 565 litres quoted for the Citroen C5 Aircross, and far below the 910 litres available in a five-seat Skoda Kodiaq, though it’s slightly more than the 503-litre boot in a Nissan Qashqai. For many families, it will still be sufficient day to day.

Practical details help. The boot floor sits flush with the load sill, making it easier to slide heavier items in and out. You get four tie-down points, a 12-volt socket, and remote handles in the boot to release the rear seatbacks when you need more space. Under the floor there’s storage for a couple of backpacks, unless you choose a spare wheel. The main niggle is that there’s only one shopping hook.

With the rear seats folded, maximum cargo capacity is up to 1,603 litres. The floor isn’t completely flat, but it’s workable for longer and bulkier loads.

Engines and gearboxes

There are three distinct powertrain choices. The entry petrol option is a 1.5-litre EcoBoost paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox—there’s no automatic available with this engine. Above that sit two electrified options: a 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid (available with front- or all-wheel drive) and a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

• 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol: six-speed manual only; claimed economy up to 44.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 145g/km.
• 2.5-litre hybrid: claimed economy 52.3mpg and 123g/km CO2; in mixed real-world use, around 44mpg was observed; available with front- or all-wheel drive.
• 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid (PHEV): 243hp; official economy just over 200mpg; Ford also quotes 50mpg for longer journeys on a flat battery.

On the road: town, motorway and country lanes

In town, the Kuga is generally easy to drive. The tall seating position helps visibility, and every model gets front and rear parking sensors plus a large rear window. The hybrid’s extra low-speed response can make it feel particularly peppy in urban driving. However, while the suspension deals well with larger bumps, the Kuga can feel unsettled on rougher surfaces, transmitting smaller imperfections into the cabin. Potholes can produce a noticeable thud, and this effect can be more pronounced on bigger wheels or sportier ST-Line suspension.

The 1.5-litre petrol engine is more willing than you might expect. It pulls strongly from low revs, and the manual gearbox has a light, positive action. The hybrid uses an automatic CVT-style transmission with a rotary gear selector that’s simple to operate, but acceleration can make the engine rev hard, which adds noise when you’re trying to build speed.

Motorway cruising is a stronger suit than the Kuga’s urban ride suggests. Once at a steady speed, wind and tyre noise are impressively low, making it a pleasant long-distance companion. Adaptive cruise control with a speed limiter is standard, and blind-spot monitoring is fitted across the range. Optional adaptive cruise control can also do a good job of keeping the car centred in its lane with minimal side-to-side wandering.

Where the Kuga stands out most is on a country road. Body lean is well controlled, the steering offers genuine feedback for an SUV, and the chassis feels agile and confident. There’s plenty of grip in bends, especially in all-wheel drive versions, and the brakes feel sharp at higher speeds. On the roughest lanes, though, the suspension still doesn’t fully settle, so the car can feel a bit bouncy.

Safety and driver assistance

Safety equipment is comprehensive. The Kuga includes twin front and side airbags for front occupants, plus full-length curtain airbags for all passengers. The front passenger airbag can be deactivated to allow a child seat to be fitted, and ISOFIX points are provided on the two outer rear seats.

All trims include front and rear parking sensors and cruise control. Lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking with pre-collision assist are also fitted. Pre-collision assist can feel aggressive in stop-start traffic, and sensitivity may need adjusting depending on your driving environment.

A rear-view camera isn’t standard on the entry Zetec trim, and driver fatigue warning also requires stepping up from Zetec. Zetec models also miss the option to add a Driver’s Assistance Pack, which includes features such as a front parking camera, adaptive cruise control with traffic sign recognition, blind spot warning, active parking assistance, and the door-edge guards.

In Euro NCAP safety testing, the Kuga received a five-star rating.

Pricing and value

Pricing spans a wide range depending on trim and powertrain. The Kuga’s recommended retail price range is £33,315 to £42,945. Pricing examples provided include cash prices starting from £30,200, monthly payments from £277, and used examples starting from £9,195.

Entry-level Titanium models start at just over £33,000, positioned as strong value against alternatives such as the Volkswagen Tiguan (around £38,000) and Peugeot 3008 (around £37,000). Moving to the hybrid brings a significant jump to near £38,000, but it also brings additional kit because the hybrid is only available in ST-Line trim and above. This includes sportier bodywork, 360-degree cameras, red brake calipers and an electric tailgate.

Further up the range, ST-Line X starts at just under £40,000, with the plug-in hybrid pushing pricing closer to £41,000. At this level you gain features including 19-inch wheels, a glass sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and heated seats front and rear. Higher-spec models can be harder to justify on price alone, particularly as options and trim steps can push some versions beyond key tax thresholds.

Running costs, tax and business considerations

Fuel economy varies significantly by powertrain. The petrol model is quoted at up to 44.1mpg. The hybrid has a claimed 52.3mpg, though around 44mpg was seen over mixed use. The plug-in hybrid posts an official figure of just over 200mpg, but for longer journeys on a depleted battery, Ford quotes 50mpg as a more realistic guide.

Tax is also worth factoring in. Several Kuga models are priced above the £40,000 threshold, which can trigger the expensive car supplement in Vehicle Excise Duty road tax for years two to six. For business users, the plug-in hybrid offers the best Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax costs among the range.

Reliability, recalls and warranty

Warranty cover is three years or 60,000 miles as standard. Buyers can pay extra to extend this to four years and 80,000 miles or five years and 100,000 miles, although some competitors offer longer warranties as standard.

In owner satisfaction results, the manufacturer placed 23rd out of 31 in the 2025 Driver Power survey, which may give some buyers pause. On recalls, the plug-in hybrid has been subject to more than one recall for significant battery-related problems, including an air-venting issue with the battery pack. Other recalls across the wider range have included a possible issue with the fuel heater system and a telematics system concern that could affect the vehicle’s automatic SOS emergency call function.

Despite these points, the Kuga is generally described as having a solid reputation for reliability, and major faults are considered unlikely—though, as with any car, maintenance will be a key factor in long-term dependability.

Who is the Kuga best for?

The Kuga makes most sense for drivers who want family-SUV practicality but don’t want to give up an engaging driving experience. It offers generous passenger space, useful day-to-day storage, and a refined motorway demeanour once up to speed. It’s also well equipped with safety and driver assistance features across the range.

You may want to look elsewhere if a premium-feeling cabin, the easiest infotainment interface, or the most supple low-speed ride are top priorities. Boot space is competitive rather than class-leading, and the move to screen-based climate controls won’t suit everyone.

Key takeaways

• Unusually fun and confidence-inspiring to drive for a family SUV, especially on country roads.
• Strong passenger space and flexible rear seats that slide and recline.
• Boot is practical but smaller than some alternatives; PHEV boot is smaller again.
• Modern screens, but the infotainment software can be fiddly and climate controls are now on-screen.
• Hybrid and PHEV improve the powertrain choice, but some versions cross the £40,000 tax threshold.
• Three-year/60,000-mile warranty is shorter than some rivals; PHEV has had multiple battery-related recalls.