WE’VE been driving this sporty version of the excellent Ford Kuga SUV – the ST-Line.
Fitted with a 2.0-litre diesel powering the front wheel, the ST-Line offers all the comfort and practicality you would expect of an SUV, but with a performance edge thanks to the ST-Line specification.
This includes an uprated chassis with thicker anti-roll bars and a ride height that has been dropped by 10mm.
You certainly notice this on the road. Despite the high SUV stance of the Kuga, the car’s handling is really well controlled, and it turns tightly into corners thanks to accurate steering.
But while the sportier chassis means the Kuga ST-Line handles with grip and gusto, it doesn’t sacrifice too much on longer motorway journeys. There’s a bit of jostling over bumps but not to discomfort you.
And with longer business journeys that’s really important. We’ve found the Kuga quitely comfortable for dispatching those motorway miles.
It helps that the ST-Line has sports seats in a partial leather finish. They are supportive and easily adjustable to find the the position that suits: both myself and my wife.
And there’s plenty of room in the back for my teenage children, whether it’s for football or for horse riding.
The rear tailgate opens automatically with a wave of the foot below the bumper: I’ve always wondered whether this was just gimmicky. But when my daughter has her arms full of horse riding paraphernalia – assisted by yrs tly – then it’s been really helpful. I’m now a believer.
The other aspect that’s so good about the interior is the panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with light when you want it, making the interior pleasantly airy.
There are three power options with the diesel – we have the mid range 150PS choice which provides plenty of gutsy pull for acceleration but pleasingly economical mileage – we’re averaging over 40mpg.
So despite the ST-Line sporting stance of the Kuga, it does provide the sort of economy you want for business. And for family life at the weekend.
Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCI ST-LINE 150PS FWD 6SP
- Power – 150PS
- Torque – 240Nm
- Transmission – six speed manual
- Top speed – 121mph
- 0-62mph – 10.1s
- CO2 emissions – 164g/km
- Company car tax band 2017/18 – 36%
- Fuel consumption (official) – 48.7mpg
- Fuel consumption (actual) – 40.6mpg
