Ford Kuga review - Interior & comfort
Ergonomic if a little unimaginative, the Ford Kuga’s interior shares much with other Fords
The third-generation Ford Kuga made its debut back in 2019, and while that’s not too long ago in real terms, it allowed newer rivals to enter the scene with much more hi-tech and visually appealing designs. Step forward the 2024 facelift, which aims to redress the balance with a new look and interior tech.
Anyone who has spent any amount of time in a new Ford over the last few years will instantly recognise a lot of the parts and switchgear used throughout the Kuga’s cabin as they’re mostly shared with the Ford Focus. The overall design of the interior is functional, however, it lacks the flair of rivals such as the Peugeot 3008 or Kia Sportage. Top-spec models get luxuries such as Alcantara-style upholstery, although, material and build quality lags slightly behind the competition, including the Hyundai Tucson. Regardless, the abundance of harder plastics means the Kuga should withstand the toils of family life.
Ford Kuga infotainment and navigation
No matter which variant of the Ford Kuga you opt for, all now come as standard with a new touchscreen featuring Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment software. It’s easy to use and responsive to your inputs and comes as standard with DAB radio and sat-nav, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you’d rather utilise your phone’s software.
In the pre-facelift Kuga, we liked the fact Ford steered clear of integrating several important functions into the touchscreen; the stereo volume and climate controls were operated via physical knobs and dials, which are much easier to handle when on the move than a slippery screen. It’s a shame this is no longer the case.
Equipment
A slimmed-down range of trims kicks off with Titanium, getting a 13-inch touchscreen, all-round parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels and even a heated windscreen to clear it quickly on frosty mornings. ST-Line is a worthwhile upgrade, ushering in handy features like a 360-degree camera view, powered hatchback and adaptive cruise control, while it also gets a sporty makeover.
Active doesn’t offer quite the same jump, but increases the Kuga’s ride height slightly and brings black exterior trim along with microsuede seat upholstery. ST-Line X bolsters things even further with heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, along with a panoramic glass roof.
Options
It’s possible to add a Driver’s Assistance Pack to the entry-level trim if you’d rather have a 360-degree camera view for easier parking. A Technology Pack is also on offer, adding features like LED Matrix headlights that adapt to the traffic and conditions, along with a head-up display that can provide critical driving information without needing to look away from the road.
