The Ford Kuga has been refreshed with a number upgrades including new powerful EcoBoost engines and advanced technologies.

“We’ve updated the Kuga range with new engines that deliver more power but also lower emissions – two things you don’t see very often,” said Tracey Delate, Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.

“It’s part of our strategy to offer eco-friendly vehicles that don’t compromise on driving enjoyment or excellent consumer technologies.”

Improved powerful engine range

Ford has increased peak power of the 2.0-litre TDCi engine by 12kW to 132kW and peak torque to 400Nm, up from 340Nm, a significant increase of 12kW and 60Nm. Combined with Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, this engine is said to deliver the most pulling power ever for Kuga.

The Kuga also adopts the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which powers the Focus ST and delivers 177kW with 340Nm of torque.

The new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine replaces the outgoing 1.6-litre petrol engine and delivers 110kW and 240Nm in the front-wheel drive manual model and 132kW and 240Nm in the all-wheel drive automatic derivative. It additionally reduces CO2 emissions to 143g/km from 154g/km – an improvement of more than seven per cent over the outgoing engine.

Advanced driver assistance technologies

In addition to the Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter that is offered as standard, the updated Ford Kuga also offers Adaptive Cruise Control including Forward Alert, which warns drivers if they are travelling too close to the vehicle ahead.

Other standard technology features include the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, which warns if any of the tyres lose significant pressure during a journey. There’s also a Hands-Free Tailgate, Blind Spot Information System, Active City Stop, Auto High Beam, Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Keeping Alert and Driver Alert.

An automatic Start-Stop system and the wind-cheating Active Grille Shutter will now also be standard on all Kuga models.

Ford Kuga price in South Africa

Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost Abmiente – R314 900

Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost Trend FWD – R355 900

Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost Trend Auto FWD – R367 900

Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost Trend Auto AWD – R394 900

Ford Kuga 2.0 EcoBoost Titanium Auto AWD – R437 900

Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Trend PowerShift AWD – R419 900

Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Titanium PowerShift AWD – R454 900