I drove a previous generation Ford Kuga crossover for a week, moved into a new car and remembered the feeling familiar to every young journalist: it was as if I had received my article after a tough editorial revision, where almost every line was crossed out! Of course, I understood that the source code could be improved, but in order to, as they say in our editorial office, “a complete rewrite”...

Picking up the key to the new Kuga, I shuddered: it's the same as the old one! This is it, trying to open the hood a couple of days ago to fill in the washer, I took it apart and assembled it several times in the cold, dropping the sting into the mucus of the reagents. Thankfully, the turnkey hood lock is now a thing of the past, like other Fords. From now on, the washer itself can be taken out of the trunk without getting dirty and without suffering from a heavy door. The glass of the cargo compartment, unlike its predecessor, does not rise separately, but on a car with keyless entry, you can order the familiar, for example, Volkswagen “kick in the ass” function: put your foot up to the bumper - and the door rises, “kick” again - it falls .

The “pink” control of the tailgate can piss off a born footballer: lifting the lid begins two or three seconds after the “hit” and lasts at least three times longer than opening a door devoid of such bells and whistles manually. But as a reward for the leisurely - clean hands!

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True, I did not get along with this system - Kuga does not immediately react to a kick. With my hands, I would have already opened and closed the trunk three times, and here I stand and wait. But it is impossible to speed up the process manually - the mechanism resists, the door wedged. Option for the patient.

But for the prudent, that is, for most of those who turned their backs on Kuga's predecessor, there is a new range of engines. Instead of a two-hundred-strong gasoline “turbo five” 2.5, there is a “four” EcoBoost 1.6 with a capacity of 150 or 182 hp. (the difference between these options is not only in the software, but also in the processors of the engine control unit, that is, it is impossible to “chip” the first unit to the second one), the 2.0 TDCi diesel engine will now only have a 140-horsepower version (without a version with a capacity of 163 hp). pp.), and “mechanics” - only for the “initial” Kuga with a 150-horsepower gasoline Ecoboost and front-wheel drive.

There are no problems with the readability of Focus instruments. I didn’t like the fact that the pop-up windows on the display overlap for a long time, for example, the indications of the navigation system (displayed on the right side of the screen)

All-wheel drive petrol versions are equipped with the same six-speed hydromechanical “automatic” as the Explorer model, and diesel ones are equipped with the PowerShift preselective “robot”. So, they say, it’s easier (that is, cheaper) to “globalize” the model, which has been produced in Louisville, USA since April last year, in Valencia, Spain, since December, and since April of this year, its SKD assembly will be established here in Yelabuga, where a similar in the same way they made the old Kuga.

The new model, in my opinion, did not become more beautiful (a typical first reaction to an article after an editorial change). I used to see in Kuga a fit sportswoman with clear eyes-headlights, and now she narrowed her eyes unkindly, put on weight ... Hello from Hyundai ix35! However, on the eve of the trip, wasn’t I grumbling into the recorder that it was crowded in the “first” Kug in the rear seats, that it was inconvenient to get out of there, and the trunk was small? Everything is fixed! Although the car is built on a platform that traces its pedigree to the first generation C-MAX compact van, it is much more spacious.

At the initial stage, the design of the "second" Kugi promised to be revolutionary, but in the end there was an evolutionary restyling

The difference with the "third" Focus is in the door panels and the design of the bottom of the center console

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With the same wheelbase (2690 mm), the crossover has become 81 mm longer (now 4524 mm), and the volume of the cargo compartment has increased from 360 to 456 liters. I feel this increase, first of all, in the back seat, as if shifted into the trunk: now, sitting “by myself”, I don’t rest my legs on the lower edge of the front seat, and when leaving, I don’t touch the middle pillar with my feet and don’t dodge the door.

In addition, both parts of the rear seat back now have not one, but three fixed positions, they fold not after the pillow, but on top of it, and in one touch, and the front part of the optional glass roof (previously it was solid and tightly fixed) can now be lift or move. In general, passengers should be satisfied.

And the driver?

The front seats were cool before, and remain so now. The lumbar support adjustment has been moved from the side of the back to the outer part of the base of the pillow; in the absence of an electric drive, the backrest tilt is adjustable in steps

The seat moved back gave a noticeable increase in freedom in the legs. Parts of the backrest have three fixed angles of inclination, and are now laid out together with the pillows in one touch

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The interior of the old Kuga seemed outdated to me due to the flat, rectangular front panel, and in the new one - the three-dimensional rampage of the “third” Focus, except that the bottom of the center console is not fenced off from the passenger. The microclimate unit with push-button fan control has not fundamentally changed, and you only have to get used to the “peas and noodles” scattered across the panel of the Sony multimedia system.

In the trunk underground of Russian cars there will be not a repair kit (photo on the right), but a dokatka with a dimension of 155/70 R17 with basic wheels for all versions 235/55 R17 (19-inch ones will be offered for an extra charge)

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Landing on the navigator's seat alerted me - in the absence of seat height adjustment, you lean on the pillow at the level of the front edge of the hood, wanting, but not being able to go down "to the floor" lower, although I positioned myself behind the wheel as I wanted. There are enough ranges: having moved the seat all the way back, with a height of 176 cm, I can no longer squeeze the brake properly. I didn’t like the section of the steering wheel rim (it was round, but it became faceted) and the fact that the central armrest, as before, is located far behind.

The microclimate block is slightly redrawn. The buttons for heating the windshield and rear windows have moved from top to bottom, and to the right of them - switches for parking sensors, parking control and a button for the electric tailgate

The rear wheel arches are trimmed with “velvet” - the sound of pebbles is almost inaudible, but in general I would not call Kugu a quiet car

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I press the Ford Power button, smoothly move off, spin up the 182-horsepower EcoBoost - and notice that as I approach 5000 rpm, the sound becomes frankly unpleasant. Actually, there is an order with the “boost” - the dynamics declared in the passport (9.7s to 100 km / h) are enough, and I am sure that even the 150-strong version of this engine will not give the driver a feeling of inferiority. But with the "automatic" I would like to establish a more trusting relationship. I smoothly gas at the exit of the turn, the box hastily selects a lower gear, I drop it a little, add it - and switch again, although the “automatic” should keep the gear tighter. Mode S does not change the picture either, but poke your finger into the plus-minus key located on the left side of the selector - thank you: it is inconvenient and pointless due to noticeable delays.

The doors are stretched down and cover the threshold, so that clothes will be less dirty: the previous model was dirtier

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It seems that Kuga's move has become softer even on a flat road - the passenger falls asleep on the count of "two". There are no problems on the broken paths that lead to orange plantations in sunny Valencia - it's a pity, the juicy-looking fruits are still ripening and ripening. I was only embarrassed by the “vibrating” sounds that come from the suspension on a rigid “comb”, as if something had unscrewed there.

In all-wheel drive, the “Volvo” Haldex clutch was replaced with a multi-plate mechanism with a ball-and-socket clutch (the same as that of the Explorer and Edge models) of our own production: now, based on 40 signals that enter the “all-wheel drive brain” every 16 ms, the rear The lower axle is connected not by the fact of slipping of the front wheels, but preventively. I didn’t manage to feel the moments of connection on dry land, but on the interactive display of the instrument panel, I saw that traction to the rear wheels (judging by the graph - a maximum of 50%) is also supplied with just active driving, even without a hint of slipping.

By the way, I had to be quick only because I was late - Kuga itself does not appeal to this. From the same Focus (and to a slightly lesser extent from the previous Kuga), the new crossover differs in turns not so much by “holding”, but by increased rolls. The effort on the steering wheel has become less natural (the help of the electric booster is often unnecessary), in corners the engine, under the supervision of the Curve Control system, aimed at combating understeer, is strangled by electronics ... But there is no system against unnaturalness.

Once again, I caught myself thinking that I was more and more afraid of cars stuffed with electronic “assistants”. Dropped a wheel? No, it was the overseer behind the markings that smoothly turned the steering wheel away from the dividing line ... In order to freely cross the solid line from the side of the curb! As a result, there is no longer trust, but there is tension. As Kugi has the title of "the most technologically advanced Ford in Europe."

Multi-plate clutch with ball cam mechanism promises preventive redistribution of thrust, and in the event of failure it is replaced in assembly with the rear gear

In front, the entire underbody protection is plastic. The declared ground clearance of a gasoline Kuga with all-wheel drive is from 147.1 mm when fully loaded to 198 mm for an empty car; for the diesel version - 150.8 and 192.9 mm, respectively. Front-wheel drive version under load sags from 197.2 to 123.9 mm

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By God, it would be more useful to use “electronic” money to set up the same PowerShift box that my second Kuga with a 163-horsepower diesel was equipped with. As in the case of a gasoline car, the number of “horses” is not important here - back in Moscow, driving the old 163-horsepower Kuga, I noted that I would easily survive the loss of twenty forces, therefore, in Russia there will be only one, 140-horsepower version of the diesel, I see no trouble.

The Kuga 2.0 TDCi accelerates a little faster than the petrol version due to the tighter “binding” of the transmission to the accelerator, but off-road conditions leave no trace of this joy. The same - and when trying to park. It's one thing when there is a soft snowdrift behind, but now I have to turn around on a patch between a rock and a cliff. Reverse, gas, but the Kuga rolls forward. Heck! In order not to break the bumpers, I turn around “in two pedals”, releasing the brake only when, following a distinct clatter under the bottom, I feel a push in the right direction. And no Active Park Assist is an assistant here!

And the diesel Kuga is noisy: the whistling of the wind, heard in the area of ​​the front pillars and the rear edge of the hood from 60 km / h on a gasoline car, here in all driving modes is complemented by a characteristic diesel roar. Yes, the vibrations are noticeable.

The rearview camera is still open to dirt. From now on, Kuga can park itself: the P.Pilot function is selected using a button on the multimedia system panel

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However, in our market, the diesel engine will henceforth be the second number (according to the results of last year, it beat the gasoline unit with a score of 2395:1797). Ford marketers are betting on gasoline EcoBoost - and counting on a "boost", that is, on sales growth to the level that the Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota RAV4 have.

There are grounds?

Since 2008, 10,921 Ford Kuga crossovers have been sold in Russia, which is three times less than the result of a Tiguan or RAV4 (and, by the way, a couple of Kia Sportage / Hyundai ix35), and only for the last year. On the other hand, the “rewrite” was perhaps a success: the Ford team corrected almost everything for which Kuga was criticized before. The car has become more spacious, roomy, and most importantly, as they promise in the Russian representative office of Ford, cheaper than before!

New for the Russian market, the gasoline "four" EcoBoost should also become the engine of trade. It will not be easy to pour washer fluid into the neck located deeper than the previous one (with a yellow cap) without irrigating the surroundings. Opening the hood with the usual lever instead of a key is a pleasure. Pay attention to what a big “stand” the lock loop needed!

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Prices will be announced in March, when dealers will have democars, but it turns out that the most affordable, front-wheel drive Kuga with a 150-horsepower petrol Ecoboost will be cheaper than those 959 thousand rubles that before the “sale” were asked for its diesel counterpart of the previous generation. Taking into account the fact that the base Toyota RAV4 of the new generation costs at least 998 thousand rubles ... There are chances!

Moreover, even the simplest Trend equipment includes, like the RAV4, an audio system, air conditioning and push-button engine start. Trend Plus is plus dual-zone climate control and alloy wheels, Titanium is keyless entry. And in the top version of Titanium Plus - "bi-xenon", navigation, panoramic roof, leather upholstery ... The list of options will complement the "package" equipment.

By the way, the American version of the new Kuga, the Ford Escape, immediately broke its previous annual sales record: 261,008 crossovers in 2012 against 254,293 cars a year earlier.

Passport data
Automobile		Ford Kuga
Modification		2.0 Duratorq TDCi	1.6 EcoBoost	1.6 EcoBoost 4x2
body type		station wagon	station wagon	station wagon
Number of places		5	5	5
Dimensions, mm	length	4524	4524	4524
	width	1838	1838	1838
	height	1702	1702	1702
	wheelbase	2690	2690	2690
	track front/rear	1563/1565	1563/1565	1563/1565
	ground clearance*	192,9/150,8	198,0/147,1	197,2/123,9
Trunk volume, l		456-1653	456-1653	456-1653
Curb weight, kg		1692	1682	1580
Gross weight, kg		2250	2250	2100
Engine		diesel, turbocharged	petrol, turbocharged	petrol, turbocharged
Location		front, transverse	front, transverse	front, transverse
Number and arrangement of cylinders		4, in a row	4, in a row	4, in a row
Working volume, cm3		1997	1597	1597
Cylinder diameter / piston stroke, mm		85,0/88,0	79,0/81,4	79,0/81,4
Compression ratio		16,0:1	10,1:1	10,1:1
Number of valves		16	16	16
Max. power, hp/kW/r/min		140/103/3750	182/134/5700	150/110/5700
Max. torque, Nm/r/min		320/1750-2750	240/1600-5000	240/1600-4000
Transmission		robotic, preselective, 6-speed	automatic, 6-speed	mechanical, 6-speed
Drive unit		complete, connected		front
Front suspension		independent, spring, McPherson
Rear suspension		independent, spring, multi-link
Front brakes		disc, ventilated	disc, ventilated	disc, ventilated
Rear brakes		disk	disk	disk
Tires		235/55R17	235/55R17	235/55R17
Maximum speed, km/h		187	200	195
Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s		11,2	9,7	9,7
Fuel consumption, l/100 km	urban cycle	7,4	10,2	8,3
	suburban cycle	5,5	6,3	5,6
	mixed cycle	6,2	7,7	6,6
CO 2 emissions, g/km		162	179	154
Fuel tank capacity, l		60	60	60
Fuel		diesel fuel	gasoline AI-95	gasoline AI-95
* Equipped/loaded

A dynamic crossover with a striking design and excellent driving characteristics, the Ford Kuga won the hearts of more than one motorist. But, before buying this handsome man, drivers want to know, ?

The model that the American brand created for the European and CIS market to compete with the Nissan Qashqai was first produced in Germany at the Ford Motors plant in Saarlouis. But, the growing demand of Russian consumers made the manufacturer think about starting car assembly in the Russian Federation. The eminent auto brand chose the Sollers plant in Yelabuga (Republic of Tatarstan), where some of its models are made.

Where and how is Ford Kuga assembled in Russia

Since 2012, the assembly of the first Ford Kuga has started in Yelabuga. This is not the first model of the American brand that rolls off the assembly line of a local factory. The successful production of other Fords is also established here: Tourneo, Explorer, S-Max, Galaxy, Transit, EcoSport 2015.

A year later, in 2013, the company launched the production of the second generation of the popular model using full cycle technology: body welding, painting, final assembly. It is these cars that travel on domestic roads and neighboring countries. And they are not inferior in quality to their counterparts created on the European conveyor.

It is known that the cost of a car depends on who collects it. The Russian production of Ford Kuga did its job: the price of the crossover turned out to be quite affordable.

The model pleased the consumer with everything: spectacular design, economical engine, high-quality interior trim. Still would! After all, the Tatar conveyor, where Ford Kuga is assembled for Russia, fully complies with the standards of the auto brand. Each detail goes through several stages of control - to guarantee the impeccable quality of the crossover loved by many.

Russian version of the Ford Kuga. What is she

The current Ford Kuga model is equipped with 1.6-liter EcoBoost gasoline engines. They give out from 150 to 185 hp, and are aggregated with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. But, in 2014, the engine line was replenished with another one - a 2.5-liter gasoline unit. A diesel version is also presented: a 140-horsepower Duratorq engine is paired with a six-speed PowerShift “robot”.

The manufacturer calls the crossover the “smartest” in its history and offers motorists to evaluate the mass of electronic assistants and innovative technologies.

But, in practice, locally assembled Ford Kuga still has flaws: the turbine needs repair after a couple of hundred kilometers, and the suspension “naughty” when speed bumps pass.

The second generation Ford Kuga for the US market is produced in Louisville (USA).

The American automaker Ford has been producing the popular Kuga compact crossovers since 2008. But recently, the market has been replenished with SUVs and crossovers in more modernized versions. Therefore, according to the decision of the concern, one more will be added to the two existing generations of the Kuga model by the end of 2018.

Automotive publications have circulated on the Web information about the alleged details of the exterior and interior of the new Ford Kuga 2018 crossover, while the company has not officially announced the start of production. There are also no first teasers of the car yet.

According to publications, significant changes appear in the exterior of the new generation Kuga. The manufacturer promises to use a new platform for the production of the car, which will increase its dimensions.

It is expected that without changing the corporate style, the machine will have the following new parameters:

• powerful grille;
• large hood stamping lines;
• extended wheel arches;
• a new form of plastic body kit;
• multi-stage design of the front bumper;
• narrow head optics;
• LED elements of the rear lights;
• extended rear spoiler and other features.

The new interior of the new Ford Kuga 2018

Everything that will change in the interior of the 2018 Kuga crossover will be aimed at improving comfort and improving ergonomics. First of all, the changes will affect the size of the cabin, which will become more spacious.

Other features in the interior of the new generation crossover include:

• front seats with a high seating position for improved cross-country ability;
• modified rear seats that improve passenger accommodation;
• interior trim with wear-resistant and soft fabrics together with high-quality plastic;
• internal LED lighting in several colors and with floor lighting;
• a new type of multifunction steering wheel;
• center console with enlarged touch screen;
• heat-reflecting coating on glass and other parameters.

Specifications and equipment Ford Kuga 2018

It is assumed that the new crossover Ford Kuga 2018 model year will be equipped with gasoline and diesel powertrains.

It will be a 2.5-liter petrol engine with a capacity of 199 horsepower, as well as a 3-liter turbocharged engine with a capacity of 284 horsepower. The TDCi 140.0 diesel unit will have a volume of 2 liters and a power of 163 horsepower.

In the basic modification, the car will be all-wheel drive, and front-wheel drive will be presented as an option. In addition, the basic equipment includes a 6-speed manual gearbox, and all the rest - the same "automatic".

It will not do without additional security systems and equipment. While installing:

• keyless access;
• start the motor with a button;
• start-stop systems;
• 19-inch wheels;
• LED adaptive optics;
• electric heating of seats, steering wheel, mirrors;
• rear view cameras;
• rain sensors, tire pressure, parking, light;
• parking assistant;
• dual zone climate control.

When will sales of Ford Kuga 2018 start?

Production of the third generation Ford Kuga is scheduled for late 2018. In Europe, the car will be assembled at a plant in Valencia (Spain), while the car in the basic version for this market is estimated at 25 thousand euros.

For the Russian market, the novelty, like its predecessor, will be assembled in Tatarstan in the city of Yelabuga, and the cost was initially announced in the amount of 1.55 million rubles.

The crossover of the American company is still interesting to Russians due to the high level of safety, reliability, dynamic properties, comfort, improved cross-country ability and controllability.

The world-famous automaker, Ford, implements a unified system of quality control and standardization at all its manufacturing enterprises. The main European plant for the production of American cars is located in Saarlouis (Germany). The Americans began building the enterprise in 1996. It is considered one of the largest machine-building complexes in Germany. The plant employs about 6.5 thousand workers and more than a thousand robots, all of them working in three shifts. Together, every day the company assembles 1650 cars of different models. Almost 80% of all assembled cars are exported to more than eighty countries, including New Zealand and Australia. But, many Russian motorists are wondering where FordKuga is assembled for the Russian Federation?

Assembly model for Russia

The first generation Ford Kuga for Russian consumers was assembled in 2012 at an enterprise in Yelabuga (Republic of Tatarstan). And in 2013, the second generation of the American crossover rolled off the assembly line.
The Ford Kuga assembly plant for the Russian market also produces:

• Ford Transit
• FordExplorer
• Ford Tourneo
• Ford S-Max
• Ford Galaxy
• Ford EcoSport 2015.

However, it was the Kuga model that Russian motorists received warmly, because in addition to the low cost (due to production in the Russian Federation), each potential owner is waiting for a car with low fuel consumption and a modern, aggressive design.

In the Russian segment, this American crossover is in great demand. Since, the machines that meet all quality control standards leave the Tatarstan conveyor. The components and materials that Kuga is equipped with are repeatedly checked before assembly.
But, even in the case of this model, car owners cannot avoid minor problems. The Ford Kuga of the Russian assembly noticed some malfunctions in the electronics:

• there are errors that can turn off the engine
• you will have to repair the turbine after overcoming a path of several hundred kilometers
• crossover has suspension problems.

Therefore, for many buyers, it is important where the Ford Kuga is produced.

For our customers, Kug cars are equipped with a 2-liter diesel engine with a choice of 140 and 163 horsepower. Also, there are crossovers with a gasoline 1.6-liter power plant (175 hp). In the basic version, the car is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. And additional options include a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. For the Russian buyer, both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive models are available. Each car has an independent suspension and an electric steering with variable characteristics. As additional options, the manufacturer offers:

• a roof with a panoramic view
• leather trim
• automatic braking system
• automatic valet
• windshield heating
• navigator and rear view camera
• eight-inch touch screen multimedia system
• xenon and more.

The basic version of the American crossover will cost you 899 thousand rubles. This is sixty thousand cheaper than the cost of its predecessor. When a person knows where Ford Kuga is produced, it is easier for him to make a choice.

Quick jump to sections

The updated Ford Kuga has changed the shape of the hood, the headlights and the radiator grille have become a little different. The rear lights have changed the shape of the sections, which may be important for fans of the model, but this, of course, did not affect the technical characteristics of the restyled Ford Kuga. The main changes that have taken place in the car relate to its electronic filling.

Like others, Kuga is equipped with a turbo engine of the EcoBoost family, in this case its volume is 1.5 liters, and the power is 182 hp, as well as an automatic transmission. It is this option that is sold in Russia. If Ford cars have enemies, then they do not like him lately, primarily for the interior design solution. Indeed, the center console is designed in such a way that it literally runs into the driver. But the dashboard can not help but like it. The steering wheel is grippy, quite comfortable and easily adjustable because it is adjustable in two directions, and the instruments can be called sports at all. At Kug, they are the same as those of Focus, drowned in two wells.

Innovations in the salon

A new control unit appeared on the steering wheel, thanks to which the new Ford Kuga received adaptive cruise control and the ability to monitor the row. Moreover, the car can even steer a little if the driver is distracted and does not follow the lane too carefully.

Video: new Kuga on the road

The center console of the new Ford Kuga now has a full-fledged large screen and a modern Sync 3 multimedia system with voice control. Navigation system and maps - in Russian. The screen is touch-sensitive, however, individual functions can be controlled using buttons. Not without "relics of the past" - on the center console temperature gauges, as before, green. A clear tribute to tradition, indicating that this is an American car.

Ford Kuga captivates with a huge space for rear passengers. Even with the front seat moved back, there is plenty of room in the knees. Under the feet of a passenger sitting in the center of the second row, there is no tunnel, which means that the three of us will sit comfortably on the back sofa. In addition, the rear passengers have an adjustable backrest, armrest and pockets in the doors. An interesting detail: the windows in the rear doors go down to the very bottom, which is not found on all cars. This is another reason why young families choose the new Ford Kuga. If you add a few more fashionable options to it and slightly refresh the design, then the car will sell even better.

Dimensions and other dimensions of Ford Kuga:

• Length: 4524 mm;
• Width: 2077 mm, mirrors folded 1838 mm;
• Height: 1689 mm, with roof rails 1703 mm;
• Wheelbase: 2690 mm;
• Turning diameter: 11.1 m;
• Fuel tank volume: 60 liters;
• Trunk volume: 484 liters, with the rear seats down 1653 liters.

Overhangs and clearance allow

When a crossover is bought, especially an all-wheel drive, its owner wants to believe that his car will be able to drive at least moderate off-road. For this, the Ford Kuga has the prerequisites. In particular, its overhangs are short, thanks to which, during the test drive, the car moved without problems through hilly fields.

Curious is this. Any modern crossover is full of various electronic assistants. In particular, an assistant when descending a mountain today is, it would seem, on every crossover. Alas, for some reason it was not on the updated Ford Kuga. I had to go down the old fashioned way, that is, on the brakes. On a dry hillock, this is not scary, but when you have to move down slippery slopes, an electronic assistant would be very useful.

Video: Active Park Assist helps a girl park a car

Another question is to what extent the new Kuga is suitable for driving to the top of a particular hill. On the Kugs of the first issues, there was a Haldex clutch, but then Ford decided to save money and started developing all-wheel drive systems on its own. They coped with the task and their system works well. The only question is: why doesn't it have a clutch lock button so that if necessary, the driver can force the four-wheel drive to be permanent? By the way, there is no disabling the ESP system here either, but this helps a lot on off-road.

Nevertheless, the new Ford Kuga is capable of conquering the hills quite well. Still, its motor is good, and besides, it works in tandem with a real machine gun. The car easily goes to the top of any hillock. In places where the car is hung out, the traction control system is activated, the torque is transferred to the wheels that have grip on the ground, and the car successfully drives up.

About steering

What motorists have always liked about the Ford Kuga is its handling. The new Ford Kuga has retained this dignity and the restyled model still drives incomparably. This is especially felt on the version where a full-fledged automatic machine acts as a checkpoint. its presence is especially valuable off-road, but it also demonstrates its advantages well on asphalt. The box does everything you need quickly enough, especially in Sport mode.

Video: how the Ford Kuga all-wheel drive system works

True, in the sport mode, another feature manifests itself. Getting into the car with the usual movement, you switch the selector lever down and immediately enter the Sport mode, and the fuel consumption in this mode is such that it easily reaches the level of 16 liters. However, the sport mode itself is wonderful. It also has an instant response to pressing the pedal, there is also a pickup, only the gas tank is emptied at an alarming rate. However, it is worth shifting the lever up, as the mode changes to the usual "Drive", after which the character of the car changes significantly. Pickup is no longer the same, but fuel consumption is reduced to 12 liters "per hundred" run.

Overview of the shortcomings of the Ford Kuga

One of the main features of the updated Ford Kuga is the new Sync 3 multimedia. There are no questions about its large screen, but now its new map is very difficult to figure out. In particular, if you want to return from the navigation to the main menu, then this is quite difficult to do.

By the way, in the multimedia system there was also a disabling of Traction Control, which I wanted to do so much, but failed during a test drive on the road. The fact is that in most cars this shutdown is implemented very simply: by pressing a single button. You can't imagine better. For example, while driving, when the driver sees that there is dirt in front of him. In this case, he presses the desired button and the ESP system is instantly turned off. As soon as the mud is left behind, the driver activates the system using the same button.

On the new Kuga, this functionality is implemented much more complicated. The owner of the crossover has to climb into the menu, make five or six movements there before he gets to the desired option, and only after that he can turn off the stabilization system. Why such difficulties?

Under the hood of the new Kuga

In Russia, Ford Kuga is sold with an EcoBust gasoline engine with a volume of one and a half liters and a power of 180 hp. There is also a second motor - this is a well-known, time-tested aspirated. its working volume is 2.5 liters, and its power is 150 hp. It works in tandem with the machine. How good is this motor? It is, of course, much more reliable, because without a turbine. On the other hand, while driving, he is very slow and the car, as they say, does not drive with him. In the event that EcoBoost is under the hood, the dynamics of the car are completely different.

Two versions of the new Ford Kuga:

• Engine: EcoBoost, displacement 1.5 liters, turbocharged, power 182 hp, torque 240 Nm. Drive: either full or front, transmission: 6-speed automatic.
• Engine: gasoline aspirated, displacement 2.5 liters, power 150 hp Drive: front only.

Options and prices

A test drive showed that the updated Ford Kuga has changed, in general, not much, which has twofold consequences. With one of them, the good thing is that the controllability of the car and its cross-country ability have been preserved. On the other hand, future owners will not like some electronic chips of the updated model. Although, of course, the decisive factor, as usual, will be the price. There is hope that Ford's flexible pricing policy for the new Kuga will continue. By the way, the following question may arise: where is the Ford Kuga assembled? In Yelabuga, where the Russian plant of Ford is located.

Video: new Kuga gets 5 Euro NCAP stars for safety

The novelty is offered in four trim levels:

1. RUB 1.379 million there is a restyled version of Kuga in the Trend version. This is a basic package, and therefore it is not worth much to wait for it. Under the hood will be a 2.5-liter engine, and the drive - only on the front axle. However, the crossover will have both ESP and ABS, which is now mandatory. At the disposal of the driver will be a number of assistants, designed for situations such as emergency braking and pulling away on a slope. Moreover, the electronics will help the driver keep traction under control in corners, as well as prevent a possible rollover on sharp turns.
2. Slightly better will be Trend Plus at a price of 1.469 million rubles. Here the buyer will receive a car with a turbocharged EcoBoost, and most importantly, he will have the opportunity to choose the type of drive: either front or all-wheel drive.
3. Next comes the Titanium package with a price tag starting at 1.559 million rubles. Buying this version will have the choice of engine: either a good-old aspirated, or a brand new turbocharged EcoBoost.
4. The line of models is crowned with the Titanium Plus version, which costs almost 2 million rubles. It will feature all the innovations described above, such as Sync 3 multimedia, as well as a car park and trunk opening using the “wave foot” method.