Ford’s latest Kuga gets a lift in more ways than one – The Kuga Active

What is it and how much does it cost?

THE Ford Kuga Active is the more rugged looking sibling in the Kuga lineup. It takes the Kuga ST-Line model and gives it a dose of off-road capability with raised suspension and some out-doorsy trim.

All Ford Kuga’s were face-lifted in 2024, with the diesel being dropped a year before. Now, the Active model gives you a choice of 3 powertrains: Full Hybrid with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive – or a Plug-in Hybrid with FWD only. All 3 models get a 2.5-litre Duratec petrol engine, mated to a CVT automatic gearbox.

Prices start at £38,965 for the Kuga Active Full Hybrid (FHEV) with 180 PS and front-wheel-drive. Next up is the £40,865 4WD Active FHEV with 183 PS. Finally, the £40,995 Kuga Active PHEV has 243 PS and FWD.

I’ve been driving the Kuga Active PHEV with a few options, like a Panoramic Sunroof, Winter Pack, Technology Pack, Premium Body Colour and a Retractable Tow Bar; all of which boosted the price to £45,600. Which still seems reasonable for a spacious, well-built SUV that can manage over 40 miles running in EV mode.

It competes with rivals like the Kia Sportage PHEV and Volkswagen Tiguan which feel a little more special when you’re sat inside them, but lose out to Ford’s well-balanced driving experience.

Looker or Minger?

Ford has given the Kuga Active some stylish cosmetic upgrades, including a contrasting black roof and black mirror caps, making it stand out from other Kugas. The chunkier wheel arch cladding adds to its rugged appeal, while the unique grille and subtle Active badging let you know which Kuga you’ve bought.

The Kuga Active sits a little higher than the standard Kuga and the ruffty-tuffty body trim enhances and helps to exaggerate the off-road look; especially the side sills. It’s still looks like a family SUV though, rather than a Monster Truck.

The result is an SUV that looks equally at home on winding country lanes as it does parked outside your suburban semi – much like any other Kuga, then. It’s not trying to be a hardcore off-roader, but it definitely gives a nod in that direction.

How Does It Drive?

Ford has worked hard to balance comfort, handling, and capability in the Kuga Active, making it well-suited to everything from motorway cruising to twisty B-roads and the occasional rough track. Thanks to its raised suspension, it absorbs potholes and speed bumps better than the standard Kuga, making it particularly well-suited to the UK’s ever-deteriorating road surfaces.

Unlike some SUVs that can feel wallowy in corners, the Kuga Active keeps body roll in check, meaning it still feels stable and composed on twistier roads. It’s not quite as good as the likes of the Cupra Formentor, but it’s not a million miles away, either.

And for those who spend a lot of time on the motorway, the Kuga Active is quiet and refined, with minimal wind and road noise. The adaptive cruise control is one of the better efforts and makes long-distance driving less stressful.

While the Kuga Active isn’t designed to tackle mountain trails or deep rivers, it’s more than capable of handling gravel roads, farm tracks, and wet fields. The raised suspension means you won’t scrape the bottom of the car when driving over uneven terrain, and the additional body cladding helps protect the car from stone chips and debris.

The drive mode selector allows you to tweak the car’s settings to suit different driving conditions. You can choose from modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and Slippery, which adjust the throttle response, traction control, and gearbox behaviour to help you get the most out of the car in different environments.

Fuel economy for the Kuga Active PHEV is very good with over 200 mpg being possible if you keep the battery topped up and use electric power for short trips. However, in the real world I was still pleasantly surprised to average just over 50 mpg during my week with the Kuga – which is impressive for such a relatively heavy car.

What’s the Inside Story?

It’s unmistakably a Ford. Which means the Kuga Active is well screwed together but some of the materials used will leave you underwhelmed. There’s no real “Wow’ factor in the cabin – unless you count the new, 13.2-inch infotainment system which features Ford SYNC 4 Navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus a premium B&O sound system.

It’s a pity the climate controls are now integrated into the infotainment screen, making their use more awkward than they were on the previous model. Only the de-mister, park assist and surround cameras get physical buttons, sitting just below the central vents.

It’s not all bad news though as the driving position is spot on thanks to 12-way power adjustment on the driver’s seat and plenty of adjustment for the steering wheel. Visibility is very good and the chunky, multi-function steering wheel sits in front of a 12-inch digital dash that is sharp and easy to read.

The seats feature unique ‘Active’ branding and look good as well as being very comfortable. I like the neosude and faux-leather mixture which holds you better than faux-leather alone.

The raised seating position not only gives a great view of the road but also makes getting in and out easier—something that’s particularly useful for families with children or those who don’t want to “drop down” into a car.

The Kuga Active gets a heated windscreen as standard – which I took full advantage of on some particularly cold mornings. I was also grateful for the £550 Winter pack which includes heated front and rear seats as well as a very welcome heated steering wheel.

In the rear seats, passengers are treated to a good amount of legroom, making the Kuga Active comfortable for adults as well as children. The rear bench slides forward and back, allowing you to either prioritise passenger legroom or increase boot space when needed. There are also rear air vents, USB charging ports, and storage compartments, ensuring backseat passengers can’t complain too much.

The boot space is generous, with 581litres – although the non-PHEV version gets 645 litres. The adjustable boot floor provides flexibility, and the hands-free power tailgate makes loading and unloading much easier when your hands are full.

Conclusion

The Ford Kuga Active is a serious contender for those who want a family SUV with a bit more attitude. It looks the part with its rugged styling, offers a comfortable and driver-pleasing experience, while coming packed with modern tech and safety features.

The latest upgrades are welcome and help keep the Kuga in the running. The mid-sized SUV sector is still a massively growing market and the choices can be bewildering.

The Kuga Active may prevent many buyers looking East for their next SUV and I doubt that those buyers will be disappointed. It may not be the flashiest of family SUVs but it delivers on the all-important driving experience and value for money when compared to its German and Korean rivals.