2022 Ford Kuga PHEV Review - Smooth Hybrid SUV

[@naoufeldaikh162]

Got one, did a 460km trip during a norwegian snowy winter and my fuel consumption was 5.1L/100km. With a 0km electic range from the start.

[@daniloz5673]

Thats really good

[@MrQuasar1958]

This is the first time seeing this channel but it won’t be my last ! This guy is very straightforward,says what he thinks and puts his opinion across in a very succinct no nonsense way! You’ve just won a new subscriber matey 👍🏻👏👏

[@ItsDanLatham]

Appreciate the kind words! I like to be thorough so my reviews are quite long, but I like to think I'm a straight talker and just say everything how it is. I appreciate that in others so I try to follow that recipe myself!

[@Northern-Light]

Hi Dan, In its infinite wisdom the KZbin algorithm thought I would be interested in your Ford Kuga vlog:and it was right!. I thoroughly enjoyed your review of the car, in particular because you seem to have a knack of touching on the various features that resonate with me without getting too petrol heady, nerdy or biased about it all. So,I am now a new subscriber and will no doubt binge watch some of your other vlogs while looking forward to new uploads from you.Cheers!

[@ItsDanLatham]

Very kind words, I’m glad my style of review resonates with you and appreciate you sticking around 👍🏻

[@BarryShite25]

Brilliant review, mate. Answered every question I had. Gonna order one through work now after watching this. Legend. New sub from me x

[@ItsDanLatham]

Thanks for watching and enjoy the new car!

[@joshtech6248]

Another great review Dan! You’ve showcased the car very well. The Kuga has clearly come a long way!

[@user-rx8qq8sk9ydv1ce5ib]

One of the best reviews! Also it would be useful in future reviews to show acceleration testing and a handling score/ rating.

[@ItsDanLatham]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@BrianFraser]

Great summary After the First tank of fuel we drove 1250 miles before filling up. Been a bit less since but we use it more than we intended. Seeing average mpg 75 to 85 depending on the journey type. One thing we've not played with properly. And haven't seen a video of yet. Is making the most of the 3 modes. Normal /Eco/ Sport Apart from we noticed Sport really tops up the battery if you have a ln uneven undulating route. Sport handles the hills then lift of and braking tops up the battery possibly quicker than a charger would. As I assume it's in DC mode.

[@BaMbOoZeD]

No way you did drive 2011km on one fuel tank, unless you drive in battery mode all the time 😅😋

[@johnkeen2345]

I agree, I did 880 miles out of the first tank of fuel. The engine will cut in and out depending on H/Vac and how you drive. Even with zero battery left I'm still getting 50-70 MPG with a bit of careful driving.

[@BrianFraser]

@@BaMbOoZeD it lasted 1250 miles before we had to fill NOT we did 1250 in one go, of course EV mode was used, but considering there were 2 X 200 mile round trips in there and a combination of road types it was pretty good.

[@BaMbOoZeD]

@@BrianFraser EV mode have been used a lot. Try to drive without any power on the battery. Then no one can drive 1250 miles on only fuel 😅. I'm just saying it's kinda misinterpreted that people can drive 1250 miles on only one tank of fuel. That ain't true. EV mode all way, then the fuel can last for months. Can you follow me? 😊

[@BrianFraser]

@@BaMbOoZeD of course I get you, anyway anyone talking about hybrids and understanding hybrids would gets the "gist" of my summary

[@pierreg5865]

Bonne revue, je roule en Kuga PHEV depuis 18 mois, et cette voiture est vraiment attachante et comme vous le dites "différente". L'association CVT 2.5l Atkinson est très efficace (j'ai consommé en moyenne 3.2l/100 sur 33.000km) et agréable. Elle s'amuse même à simuler, en douceur des changements de vitesse. La voiture est silencieuse et la sonorité du moteur plutôt agréable, en tous cas plus que celle des petits moteurs turbo des autres PHEV. Je dois rendre mon Kuga dans 4 mois, et j'ai testé entre autres le Tucson...il est super cool, mais je n'ai pas ressenti la douceur et la bonhommie du Kuga...et donc, ma prochaine voiture sera encore un Kuga, ST Line X avec quelques options. Merci encore pour cette revue, qui présente vraiment le Kuga PHEV tel qu'il est, avec ses défauts et ses grandes qualités.

[@familiedegier7072]

Great review, I’ve a red one and very happy with this PHEV👍👏🇳🇱

[@mattmarlow4166]

Although I do agree that if you are a more long distance driver you should go for a mild hybrid, this particular PHEV reverts to a mild hybrid system of sorts when the batteries are dead from charge. You can achieve some diesel equivalent figures high 50’s easily (I’ve managed and more) so this car really does fit all journeys small and large. In contrast, I knew some RAV 4 owners who struggle to reach even 50mpg with their purely mild hybrid. Recently competed 1500 miles drive down to south of france and back in this model and MPGs did not disappoint. Only annoyance was 45 litre tank, pretty small (to accommodate large batteries).

[@ItsDanLatham]

I did london to somerset and back and was impressed too. I did prefer the mild hybrid kia sportage I had overall for ease of use though and achieved similar

[@mattmarlow4166]

@@ItsDanLatham that’s fair. My mild hybrid knowledge is not extensive but certainly happy with the kuga PHEV 😀

[@SomeoneSmarter]

Thanks for the detailed video! One correction - you said a plug-in hybrid makes no sense for regular long journeys. I'm a travelling salesman with a company car. The company car tax on a plug-in hybrid is roughly HALF the cost of a diesel version. Even if the car isn't running as efficiently as it can, it still represents a significant saving over a diesel car. I'm collecting my Kuga Hybrid very soon and I can't wait.

[@ItsDanLatham]

Fair point! I was thinking more for the average consumer, but in your case that definitely makes sense. Enjoy it!

[@DefGef772]

Wicked car! I just use mine on electric mode unless I go on longer journeys, I can do the station drop off, school run and then me to work and back and still have 20 miles to play for next day. This is using eco mode of course. Not too bad when it’s on petrol mode too being a 2.5. Love it. Supposed to get 35 miles but somedays I can get 55 miles I think this weather depending. Only negative is the horn is very anti aggressive and there’s no CD player.

[@ItsDanLatham]

I’ve heard from many sources the electric range is the best on the market for a plug in hybrid. Sounds like the ideal car for your situation, similar to what I mentioned. Proves theres a big market for it.

[@DefGef772]

@@ItsDanLatham absolutely i think it’s really underrated as Ford is not in the prestige list but I recently had a courtesy car which was an Audi Q3 and this Kuga wins for miles, you get so much for the money. Nice review fella and glad someone is actually giving it the thumbs up!

[@ItsDanLatham]

@@DefGef772 It comes down to usage really. I’m in a 2022 Kia Sportage this week and its about the same money but WAY more tech and a much nicer interior. But its not as fun to drive or as large inside 🤷🏻‍♂️ kuga is a great option for many

[@Ford-Explorer606]

@@DefGef772 kuga is the best selling phev in europe

[@TheParrottBros]

Great review, looking to buy one of these and found it very helpful

[@jeffdingle9677]

I assume it has an electronic hand brake? Also I suspect that a spacer spare wheel cannot be fitted under the boot floor-cover ?

[@martinottosson6583]

The European Kia Sportage is way smaller in the boot. It’s really compact. The longer wheelbase Sportage is probably about the same as the Kuga.

[@praeparatus_supervivet]

How's the cruise control? Does it have a speed limiter? I liked the controls for that in the Peugeot 3008 and how it handled the car. I also watched a review of Nissan Qashqai hybrid instead of this plug-in kuga but since I am going to use the car mainly for short city trips for 15 km a day to work and a couple of 150km trips a month I am thinking a plug-in hybrid is the better option. Especially since I can charge the car at work.

[@ItsDanLatham]

It does. And I’d agree, for your usage, plug in makes perfect sense!

[@praeparatus_supervivet]

@@ItsDanLatham My wife told me I should get an electric bicycle instead :(

[@Dreamweaver787]

Great review, is this 2.5l engine a turbo or naturally assperated?

[@ItsDanLatham]

The 2.5 PHEV is naturally aspirated.

[@Dreamweaver787]

@@ItsDanLatham Cheers fella😊

[@praeparatus_supervivet]

I´ve seen both good and bad KZbin reviews about the KUGA´s curve handling, steering and automatic CVT gearbox compared to other SUVs in the same price range so I will consider it a personal preference and something you would have to try yourself when you test drive it at your local Ford car dealer. I was going to get the Titanium on a private leasing option, but now I´ve fallen in love with the adaptive cruise control on the rental cars I´ve used recently like the Peugeot 3008 GT which is the equivalent of the ST version of the Ford Kuga. Unfortunately, this means I´d have to pick the more expensive Kuga ST instead of Titanium package just to get the adaptive cruise control and I will get a stiffer suspension as I understand it as well as that panorama glass roof which is not really something I like. Even though the dealer can put 18" wheels on the ST line I still wonder if it´s worth it. I think it will be about roughly 25% increase in the monthly cost to get the ST line.

[@nod3232]

nice review!

[@pedrolg]

Excellent real word review. Sorry, I didn't get that correctly, did you say the L button on the gear selector is for the regenerative braking mode? If not, what is it for? Thanks.

[@ItsDanLatham]

Yes that’s correct! It means you can operate the vehicle mostly with just the accelerator, and when you lift off the car begins to brake. A bit like a Tesla for example. Thanks for the feedback!

[@BrianFraser]

@@ItsDanLatham you shouldn't use it regularly, it's better to use down hill like a low gear option. And as you say good for regene

[@Stripes-vj5gb]

Hi Dan.. great review but can you kindly explain this 200 miles plus mentioned . Can you do a video explaining how owners can get these figures mentioned

[@ItsDanLatham]

Thanks! To achieve 200+mpg you would need to drive mainly on electric with the petrol engine kicking in for assistance. This is why its only really possible for a short range around town when charged. The majority of the time you’ll be achieving more like my average mpg figures. I’ll do a video on it next time I have a plug in hybrid on test!

[@johnswayround]

Kuga st line phev or Formentor v1 204?

[@ItsDanLatham]

Formentor will be nicer to look at and more fun to drive, kuga will be better equipped and nicer to live with

[@kamuts7]

Wow Bang and Olafsen speakers?

[@harrys1848]

6:14 yesssss, exactly what came to my mind, and have been there sooooo many times ha ha. Subbed!

[@ItsDanLatham]

Not a nice experience usually but I was pleasantly surprised with how it felt in this! 😂

[@harrys1848]

@@ItsDanLatham Looking at getting one as a fleet vehicle and I am proper excited after this cracking review. Thanks mate!

[@ItsDanLatham]

@@harrys1848 thanks for watching, I’m sure you’ll love it!

[@kevinbushell2746]

Just ordered one why when you come to move it on it will still be a desirable car

[@donnie7977]

You should hear the motorsound of my 2014 Kia Sportage 2L engine if i go pedal to the metal and the automatic shifts down two gears… the Kuga PHEV sounds so much better 👍🏻 Also i like the ford front, the way it looks, but that’s all very personal preference.

[@nissetuta]

Compared to the Karoq the Kuga has more space in the cabin. Three kids fit much better in the backseat. Karoq was tight and they struggled for knee room sitting behind me, and feet room, and sitting to tight. In the phev kuga they have room to move, no middle tunnel and no tightness, less complaits. The trunk is actually more than fine. Much better to drive and I dont find the engine sluggish at all. It is nippy and has plenty of power in both modes, combined it is like a rocket in my opinion:) The engine has a nice fat roar when you want to race. Handling is way better but you need to be alert on tight back roads.

[@nissetuta]

Ps. They really are not kids anomore but young adults:). Still kids to me:)

[@ItsDanLatham]

It definitely feels spacious compared to most others in its class, and as I mentioned the 2.5 actually really helps make it a smooth transition between electric and petrol. I’m in a kia sportage this week, which has far more gadgets and also is a bit faster, but feels a little more cramped in comparison and has a shouty 1.6t for the hybrid system.

[@vickylewis8558]

Hiya. I live in Cornwall (nothing but tight back roads!) and am considering the Ford Kuga. What do you mean by needing to be particularly alert please?

[@vickylewis8558]

@@nissetuta Thanks so much! I test drove one today, and don't think it's for me - it's a tough one though!

[@alexanderthegr8763]

@@vickylewis8558 Drive the Kuga like a SUV and not like a sports hatchback round bends.

[@KAZUYADOG]

Love to know when Ford are going to stick a full electric lump in the Kuga.

[@kolochan8156]

ford hybrid system is similar with toyota hybrid ths system.SO the Plugin system is more efficeient than VW PHEV。When the car is out of battery,you can drive ford phev like a toyota hybrid .

[@mattmarlow4166]

Exactly. A lot of reviews fail to point this out. It was a huge surprise to me back in February when I noticed it acted like a mild hybrid when the initial charge was dead.

[@anthonyabdorab]

@@mattmarlow4166 mild hybrid is better

[@mattmarlow4166]

@@anthonyabdorab but when a plug in hybrid then acts like a mild hybrid when all charge is gone then surely it’s best of both worlds?

[@Ford-Explorer606]

It's similar to mazda that they owned and Japanese have build great hybrid cars

[@ellisrochlin2267]

when kuga was launched back in 2008 it was reasonably exciting to look at , i sat behind a new one, a 22 in slow moving traffic for about 10 minutes . WITHOUT THE BLUE OVAL and the name kuga i would have thought it was a 2014 hyundai or something , so utterly unremarkable . from the side its similar to a 2012 or older x1 bmw and the front is daddy fiesta face , just about cuts it. sTRANGE IN A MARKET THATS SATURATED WITH SMALL TO MID SIZE suv s that ford spent their focus on the puma but not the er er ,oh yeh sorry the kuga yawn

[@ellisrochlin2267]

dan it looks like your parents went away and you found the keys ps both hands on the wheel please

[@ItsDanLatham]

😂 I’m sure Ford wouldn’t put me on their insurance if that was the case

[@ellisrochlin2267]

@@ItsDanLatham please take my comment as a compliment dan

[@singhvinnie9528]

❤❤👊🏽👊🏽

[@carlbravington797]

thought the kuga was for 25+ years old lol

[@ItsDanLatham]

Not sure what you mean

[@gregepps4710]

It's a petrol "engine"!!!!

[@anthonyabdorab]

my diesel will leave this car standing

[@johnbaldock6353]

Or just buy a used Range Rover!

[@ItsDanLatham]

Would be a nicer car yes but likely to cost plenty in fuel and maintenance!

[@philipwookey599]

You obviously never driven a Prius or if you have you don't know how to drive one. Engine screaming my arse. Utter nonsense. Stopped watching the video after that stupid comment.

[@ItsDanLatham]

Each to their own. I’ve driven a prius and an auris hybrid. Round town they are civilised nice cars, but if you need to give it the beans, the CVT does cause it to scream. Its a pretty common complaint of CVT’s amongst motoring journalists and magazines. It doesn’t do it all the time, but it’s unpleasant when it happens.

[@mattmarlow4166]

@@ItsDanLatham agreed. The RAV 4 is a very noisy CVT system. The fords is still noticeable and it has been slammed in reviews for it but it’s not nearly as bad

[@ItsDanLatham]

@@mattmarlow4166 I was impressed considering I tend to hate CVT’s. As mentioned I think the larger engine helps a lot with that