Ford Kuga PHEV Review

[@familiedegier7072]

I think this Ford Kuga PHEV ST-Line is a very nice, spacious and great car, especially in this sporty color. After 15 months of driving a VW ID.4 1ST MAX, during which I noticed that this car suffers from many software issues and other teething problems, I will soon be happy to switch to a Ford Kuga PHEV ST-Line X with all factory option packages in this beautiful color Lucid Red. In last 15 months I've noticed, that the further south you drive, the worse the charging infrastructure gets. This infrastructure is fine in every city and high speed roads in the Netherlands. So this plugin hybrid gives me more flexibility and less stress for finding a charging box. Thanks for the video and greetings from the Netherlands.

[@tesla_models]

How's the new kuga phev

[@johndegier]

@@tesla_models the Ford Kuga PHEV is a very nice car, since June >8.000 km. Also a lot of positive feedback from my environment 👍😃

[@tesla_models]

@@johndegier glad to hear . I'm happy you enjoyed the car . Its the only best-selling phev among top 10 in europe

[@TheFlyingJanner]

You are totally wrong at 24:10 When battery shows empty the car still has charge and runs hybrid (like the Tucson). You'll see it do regen charging and it will pull away on electric. The car manages this extremely efficiently. In fact it's not possible to drive ENTIRELY on petrol at all, there's always some mild hybrid use. 30miles at 70mph is achieved on motorwars with a full charge, and long runs saving 100% charge will return 50mpg on motorways. In town, you can eek more than 30 miles from a battery with diligent use of braking and coasting. It's one of the best.

[@AutoBears]

Hi there Steve. Thanks for the clarification. Though saying I’m totally wrong is a bit harsh. But it does show totally empty and you will drive using purely the petrol engine for periods of time whilst it charges the battery. There’s a bear hug available for you if we meet!

[@andrewmcdermott2326]

Yep well said steve,even with zero battery the kuga still runs as a hybrid!

[@iandoolan8757]

The statement in the video was totally wrong and misleading - saying “when the battery is empty that’s it”. In actual fact there’s still at least 3kw left which is kept in reserve. The Kuga never stops driving as a Hybrid. The reserve is considerably bigger than an FHEV traction battery.

[@joshtaylor7881]

Having had one of these 2 years ago as a company car it's extremely efficient and even when it says 0 miles of battery remaining, it continues to drive on electric as much as possible. In fact on days when the charge points at the office were all in use and I wasn't able to charge it up, out of the 90 mile round trip, it actually managed to achieve about 30 miles of electric driving. I would suggest pressing the L button on the rotary gear selector if the battery is empty as it boosts regenerative braking and you can drive almost completely with the throttle pedal. I've just bought myself one and picking it up next week. Can't wait for the fuel saving!

[@BrianFraser]

Good summary We have a 21 model year and as per another comment the equipment has changed a bit. But nothing to complain about. As for the actual car, we have found the following. Sport mode charges the battery much better than the EV charge mode. Especially when on undulating roads. Eco mode seems to work ok on motorways but really holds back power. Which makes any overtaking a chore. With warmer weather seeing over 40miles on battery. Overall MPG combined showing 85plus mpg has been as high as 100. It isn't top of the SUV EV tree but is a very good all rounder. I think ford wanted to keep it well clear of the Mustang Mach-e But I expect the next Kuga to be full EV with a choice of 2 and 4 wheel drive.

[@neilwrench6980]

I own the ST Line X It is miles better than my MK2 in looks. I own the FHEV 2.5 ltr. It’s very quite and responsive

[@mark4joanne]

Great in depth video. I watched your review of the Tucson too. Had a top spec 2008 Tucson as a tow car and loved it. Also now love our 2017 Kuga AWD diesel 180, the power and the handling are supberb. Siting our caravan and my company has offered me a Company car...my shortlist for our budget is the kuga PHEV and Tucson PHEV. Just can't decide. I like the premium look of the Tucson and its bigger boot (for our large dog) also that it's AWD and the MHEV mode it goes into...that's just fab however, I do like the kuga (had 2 kugas already) but it's a shame it's not AWD and the boot isn't bigger plus that lack of MHEV mode, although you do seem to get more toys for your money in the kuga..have to step up to Ultimate spec I'm the Tucson to get heated seats and panoramic roof. Oh I just can't decide

[@stefangedal9762]

If you have a caravan, look at towing specs. I think the Kuga only tows 1200kg, so it might be disqualified for that reason alone

[@Megadeth50]

I think the seats are fine at holding you in it might be that shall we say when you are a bit large your not sat in the seat rather over it so you not getting the support from the sides holding you in

[@AutoBears]

Wait Lee! Are you trying to say that these seats can’t hold a big bear in place? Yet other cars can? Thanks for agreeing with me but to clarify, we all sit on seats than in them.

[@pieter-6385]

Hello, do you still have this car? I have a particular question, thank you

[@martingilligan]

Good review mate..

[@jeffbubbles2711]

Nice to see you dressed up for the video😮

[@AutoBears]

It was a bit breezy I will admit! But my legs do look good!!

[@ffotograffydd]

I went to place an order on one of these the other day, unfortunately in the new version Ford is getting rid of most of the dials and buttons and putting it in the screen. Needless to say we are now looking at other options.

[@AutoBears]

Thank you for your comment. Sorry to hear you have had to make another choice. May I recommend the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson? Also the VW Tiguan or Skoda Karoq. All very good alternatives.

[@ffotograffydd]

@@AutoBears Thank you! The Sportage is on my list currently, that or the RAV4. I was looking at Nissan but it kind of grates a bit that they only offer a 3 year warranty when Kia offers 7 years and Toyota offers 10 years (so long as they service the car).

[@AutoBears]

@@ffotograffydd that is true. I am guessing you’re wanting the car as a long term purchase? In which case both Toyota and Kia offer great warranty’s.

[@ffotograffydd]

@@AutoBears Yes it’ll be a long term purchase. We need something of a decent size and AWD because we’ll be driving a lot in the north of Scotland in winter. We’re planning on looking after the car and keeping it running for as long as possible. In a decade or so we’ll then be doing much less travelling and will likely opt for whatever small electric vehicle best suits our needs. The Kuga was going to be a bit more short term and we’d planned a trade-in at the 3 year point. But having changed our minds on that we’ve decided to maybe spend a bit more and keep it for longer.

[@AutoBears]

@@ffotograffydd that’s great to hear. You should be fine with both cars. However a left field choice could be the Subaru Forester.

[@california_clarky]

Nice video but it appears that the spec of your 2020 Kuga has changed quite a bit, someone viewing this with a new one on order could be disappointed because this will be missing

[@vehementi8497]

It should be noted that non-PHEV models have around 50-60L more boot space than the PHEV models, the reason for the smaller boot is because of the batteries.

[@TheFlyingJanner]

Battery boxes are flat under the floor pans, nowhere near the boot. The 12v regular battery in the boot though, and space saver wheel sits over it. That's why the boot space is reduced.

[@vehementi8497]

@@TheFlyingJanner That's the one I meant, shows what late nights can do.

[@sanducd]

This or the FHEV?

[@grantmarshall3026]

Hiya Dave , stop saying 8 inches isn’t that big, you’ll just give the rest of us an inferiority complex 🤪😉

[@AutoBears]

Oh Grant. I’m sorry! You best not watch the Mustang Mach-e review then 🫣

[@grantmarshall3026]

@@AutoBears in fairness it’s been a cold June in Ireland, oh you’re talking about screen size, phew got myself worried there 😂

[@stephenboulton1347]

What has happened to ford there cars look so bland compared to others....look at the quashqai,kia sportage,hyundai tuson and peugeot offerings and others.....they need to get new designers in house as they are falling behind.