The main “sores” and disadvantages of the first generation Ford Kuga. Ford Kuga second generation - five advantages and five disadvantages Ford Kuga 2 second hands

Crossover Ford Kuga the second generation has been produced since 2012. At the same time, the Ford Sollers plant in Yelabuga began producing the model. In 2013, Kuga was produced in Tatarstan in full cycle. In addition to Elabuga-made Kugas, Spanish cars are often found on the Russian market. Build quality is approximately the same.

In 2016, the car underwent restyling. You can distinguish such a car, first of all, by its wide radiator grille, reminiscent of a Mondeo, and by its smaller rear lights.

In 2015, we stopped selling Kugas with diesel engines, leaving only gasoline engines on the Russian market. This is a 1.5-liter supercharged EcoBoost with a power of 150 hp, a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine of equal power and a 1.5-liter EcoBoost boosted to 182 hp. One and a half liter cars come with all-wheel drive, 2.5 - only with front-wheel drive. The transmission for all versions is the same - 6-speed automatic transmission, classical fluid mechanics.

Body and interior

What is Kuga valued for? For excellent ride quality, stylish look, spaciousness, comfort. This car has seven airbags, and in the top versions there is also an automatic braking system, auto parking, blind spot monitoring, tire pressure monitoring and much more.

If you are buying a used Ford Kuga, first of all you should pay attention to the condition of the body. Great news - the second generation Kuga underwent double-sided hot-dip galvanization at the factory, and if the car has not been in a serious accident, there should be no problems with the body!

The Kuga's interior is very good for this class, although, of course, some shortcomings may already appear on pre-restyling cars. Pay attention not only to the condition of the upholstery, steering wheel, pedals and gearbox, but also to the integrity of the door seals - if dust and moisture are visible, there is a problem with the seal. However, this does not happen often.

Kuga's electrics and electronics are reliable. One of the most common failures is a malfunction of the SYNC multimedia system, which suddenly starts making noise instead of music. This can be prevented by a simple “flashing”, that is, reprogramming the system. Check with the original owner to see if this needs to be done.

Engines and transmissions

There is nothing to criticize Kuga's naturally aspirated engines for. If the first owner carried out all maintenance on time, there will be no problems. Only after a mileage of about 200 thousand kilometers may it be necessary to replace the dual-mass flywheel - this need can be easily determined by metallic grinding. It is important that all Kugov engines are adapted to run on 92-octane gasoline. Just try to refuel at network gas stations. Supercharged EcoBoost engines do not like low-quality fuel. But who loves him anyway?

The 6F35 hydromechanical automatic transmission, developed by Ford in conjunction with General Motors, is considered one of the most reliable 6-speed automatic transmissions. This gearbox easily runs for 200 thousand if the owner of the car is not into racing and observes the maintenance intervals. It is quite easy to check the box: it should change gears smoothly in all modes and not make noise.

There were much more complaints about the GETRAG brand Powershift robotic gearbox, but even then only until 2014. The engineers did serious work and eliminated the main shortcomings. So you can buy such cars too. Naturally, after checking. And after purchase, send the car for maintenance and replace all technical fluids and filters.

In this car front-wheel drive. But there are quite a few all-wheel drive Kugas on sale. The system includes an electromagnetic clutch of the American brand Dana, which Ford preferred to the widely used Haldex clutch due to its speed. And don’t let horror stories about the coupling overheat scare you - it’s almost impossible to do this. And the easiest way to check the performance is also on the move: if all four wheels of the car “row”, the clutch is in order.

Shock absorbers and bearings

With careful use, original shock absorbers last 150 thousand, as do the silent blocks of the front control arms. But the rear silent blocks independent suspension are given up twice as early. And every 50 thousand you have to change the struts and bushings rear stabilizer. However, it all depends on your driving style.

The service life of wheel bearings depends on the size of the wheels. With 18-inch wheels it is, of course, smaller; replacement may be required at 100 thousand. Parts life brake system highly depends on the ambitions of the first owner. Many versions of Kuga allow you to drive fast - and drivers abuse this opportunity!

When choosing a car, we pay attention to the branded appearance, the comfort of the interior and the reliability of the equipment. The Ford Kuga crossover acquired many positive properties even in the first generation. So why did the company soon release a second one? The brand inherited both the pros and cons of crossovers of that time. Therefore, owners and those planning to purchase should be aware of the obvious shortcomings of the 2008-2012 Ford Kuga.

Weaknesses of the first generation Ford Kuga crossover

The spectacular appearance hides the car's obvious weaknesses:

• engines;
• turbochargers;
• welds;
• electronics;
• salon.

Now more details...

Diesel engines create many more problems than gasoline analogues. Most problems are related to the intake air supply or fuel system. In mode idle move or vibration is often observed during acceleration. Unpleasant smell And increased consumption fuel during particle filter regeneration is sometimes combined with sensor problems particulate filter. Poor quality fuel accelerates wear of injectors. Flywheel performance also deteriorates significantly over time. We'll have to replace that too.

Gasoline engines do not require as much care as diesel engines, but they are not without their drawbacks. It would seem that the impressive tank volume of 66 liters should be more than enough, but in urban conditions the inefficiency of fuel consumption is especially noticeable.

Turbochargers.

Powerful diesel engines place a heavy load on turbochargers and significantly reduce their service life. With mileage, turbine blades wear out more and more, because they are subject to constant mechanical damage. Impeller imbalance also causes freezing in severe frosts. IN basic configuration An additional unit is not available, the installation of which can eliminate this drawback.

Corroded seams may appear in hidden areas of the body, on the underbody or in a niche windshield as a result not high-quality assembly. A direct consequence of insufficient sealing is water leaking into the cabin. It is unpleasant in itself, but if the accumulated moisture penetrates the electronic equipment of the vehicle and disables it, trouble cannot be avoided. Pay attention to such a serious sore as early as possible. This will eliminate the need for expensive repairs.

Electronics.

Failure of electronic modules is most often associated with insufficient sealing and moisture ingress. In combination with the windshield welds of frankly poor quality, this is a real disaster. Suspension and fuel level sensors break down periodically. A short circuit in the oil separator bowl heating system instantly leads to a blown fuse. As for diesel engines, glow plugs will have to be replaced quite often. In cases of intensive use, generators are not particularly reliable.

Cars of the brand have acceptable noise insulation. But if you are not careful and do not listen to operating advice, you will have to put up with annoying squeaks of seats, knocking of fixation bushings and the rear door, vibration of the hood and rear-view mirror, as well as unpleasant noise of the interior temperature fan.

Among vulnerabilities Coogee special attention deserves the spaciousness of the interior and trunk. Places on rear seats It’s unlikely to be enough even for three people of average build. There is not enough space to accommodate cargo. Silver on many decorative elements is subject to scratches and gradual peeling. Rubber seals that protect against wind noise weaken quite quickly and require replacement after five years.

The main disadvantages of the Ford Kuga 2008-2012 release

1. flaws in the ergonomics of the interior and trunk;
2. particulate filter;
3. rear silent blocks must be replaced only as an assembly with levers;
4. too high fuel consumption in the gasoline version;
5. unpleasant noise due to vibration of the hood or rear view mirror;
6. poor sealing of seams, likelihood of corrosion and moisture penetration;
7. the car's capabilities as an SUV leave much to be desired;
8. Sometimes only warming up helps to start the engine in cold weather.

Conclusion.

Judge quality Ford crossover Kuga is a subjective decision for each driver. Some will like cross-country ability, responsiveness of controls, characteristics of electronic equipment and engine power, and the quality-price ratio. Some people will not appreciate the uneconomical gas mileage, poor sound insulation, cramped interior and trunk, and rigidity.

It all depends on personal preferences, design features and operating conditions, but in any case, before purchasing a vehicle, you should familiarize yourself with the indicated troubles of the 1st generation Ford Kuga and make a choice based on them.

Weaknesses and main Ford's disadvantages Kuga with mileage was last modified: October 15, 2018 by Administrator

Ford Kuga is modern crossover, which combines beauty, good equipment and a bit of off-road ability. In general, the car is good, for affordable money, it has been produced since 2008, but the generation has already changed, you can buy the second generation Kuga. But on secondary market Nowadays there are a lot of 1st generation cars with different mileage and different prices. In general, the cars are reliable, but there are also disadvantages, and we’ll talk about that now.

The 1st generation Ford Kuga was based on the C1 platform, and the 2nd generation Ford Focus and Volvo S40 were also built on it. In the car comfortable salon, more expensive than a Ford Focus, more reminiscent of a Mondeo in spirit, but looks simpler than a Volvo.

European versions have more diesel engines. There are 2 power options, volume 2 liters. And the gasoline engine here is a five-cylinder with a volume of 2.5 liters and a turbine. For Europe, there are 2 transmission options: 6-speed manual or PowerShift automatic transmission, which comes with diesel engines. For Russian market– automatic Aisin 55-51, they are installed on a 2.5-liter engine. For those who want more options, you need to look for more expensive trim levels: Zetec and Titanium..

In terms of reliability, the engines have proven themselves well, as have the gearboxes. In general, the car is the same in reliability as a Focus or Mondeo; they have many of the same parts in the suspension and electrics. The Kuga has a different interior design to match its price, making it more premium. But the car was not particularly popular either in Russia or in Europe, because the price of the Ford Kuga was the same as for Volkswagens in more expensive trim levels. But there was interest in cars imported from America, especially after 2011. In 2012, the 2nd generation of Ford Kugi appeared. That is, the 1st generation was produced for only 4 years, the price of the car is quite good, the cost of maintenance is also good, and spare parts are inexpensive.

Body

The body of the Ford Kuga is painted in the same way as the Mondeo of the same years, because the same painting technology was used, but it cannot be called ideal. But if the car is less than 10 years old, then the body will be in good condition. Corrosion may appear on the seams and on the bottom. Appearance decent, over time the chrome may peel off or the lower grilles of the front bumper may break. But if you drive carefully and wash all the cavities of the bottom once a season, then there will be no corrosion, even if you don’t need anti-corrosive treatment.

Salon

The interior is simple but stylish, the materials are of decent quality. Everything is in Ford style, it is convenient to use the instruments and all the functions of the car. After some time, knocking noises may appear at the back door, trunk shelves also fall off over time, and there may be minor electrical failures. Sometimes it happens that the power windows stop working. You also need to be careful with chairs if your weight is more than 100 kg, because they have rather weak reinforcement.

And the rear view mirrors begin to vibrate over time, regardless of the configuration. In general, on the little things, there is a lot of things that can break, but fixing them is not difficult and is inexpensive. After many years of use, scratches may appear on the plastic, and the coating may peel off in places where contact occurs frequently. The fabric interior easily absorbs dirt, so it is advisable to dry clean the interior every 5 years. Also, after 5 years of operation, the rubber seals on the doors may spread, this will lead to the doors closing with a not very pleasant sound, and the sound insulation will also deteriorate.

Electronics

The electrical parts are made quite well, and there are no complex electronics in the car. Therefore, Kuga will not have problems with electronics in the near future. If there are cases where the external lighting module fails, this means that moisture has entered it from the windshield niche. Leaks sometimes begin in this niche.

This could be due to clogged drains or cracked sealant. So, if you see that the rug has become wet driver's seat, this means that you need to check if everything is in order with the drains from the windshield. The tightness of all control units is quite low, so if water gets into them, they will not work very well.

There are cases that over time, wiring under the bottom may also fail, for example, parking sensors may malfunction. Also, engine ignition and lambda modules do not last long. And on diesel engines Glow plugs don't last long either. As for generators, they can also fail if the car is driven through mud. There are cases that the fuel level sensor may fail even if it is not very high mileage. But in general, the car is reliable and apart from the above, there is nothing else in terms of interior, electronics and body.

Suspension, steering and brakes

The braking system in the Ford Kuga is without any problems; sometimes it happens that the ABS unit fails. But since the car is heavy and powerful, the brakes are seriously loaded, but despite this, the service life of the discs and pads is quite serious, 60,000 km. – disc service life, and pad life – 30,000 km. And there are cases that discs last 150,000 km. It depends on your driving style.

The suspension is reliable, with MacPherson struts at the front and a more complex multi-link at the rear. Even after 100,000 km. mileage of all front suspension parts (silent blocks, ball joints) in great condition. Unless the rack support may sag, this will require intervention. By this mileage, the shock absorbers are no longer as good as new, but they are not leaking yet. So at 100,000 km. The car still drives well enough.

The rear multi-link suspension is more complex. The wear of the silent blocks is already noticeable after 80,000 km. mileage If the car is not heavily loaded, then 150,000 km. rear suspension will last. And the shock absorbers have the same service life as those on the front suspension. Another disadvantage is that the manufacturer tends to change the assembled parts, which is not always financially convenient. But for those who want to save money, you can supply spare parts from Mazda or Volvo; in most cases they are the same.

And here wheel bearings in Fords it is a weak link, in Kugas too. They wear out quickly because they are poorly sealed and there is little lubrication in them, this leads to noise, and after a while they jam. Therefore, it is best to install wheel bearings from Volvo after wear, they are made of better quality.

The steering does not cause problems, because a reliable rack with long-lasting tips is installed here. But if you put more wide tires, then the rail and tips will wear out faster, but they can be easily and quickly changed, these spare parts are not a problem.

Transmission

It's not that simple here. The most trouble-free cars are those with front-wheel drive and manual transmission transmission After many years, it will be necessary to change the 2-mass flywheel and that’s it.
But in cars with all-wheel drive, the problem unit is considered Haldex coupling, it needs to change the oil every 50,000 km, and it also does not particularly tolerate slipping. The pump and its other elements may fail. Until 2009, a Haldex 3 coupling was installed, but the pump broke down in it. And after 2009, the 4th generation of Haldex appeared, it has fewer problems, but it still needs to be monitored.

To determine that the clutch pump has failed, you simply need to see that the “AWD faulty” message lights up on the instrument panel. The repair will not be particularly expensive - around 10,000 rubles, if only the problem is electrical. It also happens that the wiring in the electronics of the unit fails and its contacts may deteriorate, especially if you often drive off-road and dirt gets into this unit.

If you actively use all-wheel drive, then the filters and oil must be changed on time; there is only half a liter of oil in the clutch, so if its level decreases a little, it will cause noticeable harm to the clutch. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that there is no oil leakage through the seals. If the pump fails, it is better to buy a new one, but it is better to get a filter from Volvo.

In Russia, the largest number of cars are equipped with the Aisin AW55-51 automatic transmission; it was also installed on many Volvo models. This box is quite reliable, except that its gas turbine linings do not last very long and the hydraulic unit also does not last very long. And all because it does not tolerate dirt well; the solenoids are also not particularly strong. And the design is not so simple that to repair such a box in the garage, you will need to go to a service center for repairs.

But if you change the oil in the box on time, it will last 250,000 km, and maybe more. By the way, it doesn’t even overheat, because it’s connected to external radiator. So, you can safely buy cars with an automatic transmission, the main thing is to check its condition at the time of purchase so that the gears engage smoothly and the car does not jerk.

There are also robotic box– PowerShift, it was installed on diesel configurations. Now things are not so rosy with her. This is a 6-speed preselective. It needs to be serviced and oil changed more often because it gets dirty quickly. Solenoids and clutches often fail. The design is quite complex, so it needs to be repaired in specialized services, and then the repairs will cost big money. Spare parts also cost money.

If an oil leak or vibration appears, this means that the oil has become contaminated, overheating has begun and the clutch slips under prolonged load. This means that to prevent this from happening while the gearbox is still working, you just need to change the oil every 30,000 km. and she will still travel. And the filter with a pollution sensor also needs to be changed immediately. If you don’t drive through traffic jams and change the oil on time, then your 250,000 km. it will also last, if you drive through traffic jams, the resource will decrease to 150,000 km.

Motors

The engines are different, power varies from 140 to 200 hp. With. The gasoline engine here is 2.5 turbo, the same as in Volvo. In order for it to work well in the Ford Kuga, it has been slightly modified. But its resource is quite large; without much difficulty it can reach 500,000 km. It will last, if you don’t kill it on purpose, it will last longer.

The engine has a timing belt, which has a long service life; it must be changed every 100,000 km. The main thing is that no oil gets on the belt, because this will damage it faster. If your car has a Pierburg fuel pump, then you need to know that it breaks down every 2-3 years, so it’s better to install a non-original one immediately after the breakdown. Also, you must not forget to clean the radiator, especially if the car drives around the city most of the time.

➖ Build quality
➖ Ergonomics
➖ Visibility
➖ Fuel consumption

pros

➕ Controllability
➕ Suspension
➕ Patency
➕ Comfortable salon

The advantages and disadvantages of the 2018-2019 Ford Kuga in a new body were identified based on reviews real owners. More detailed pros and cons of the 2nd generation Ford Kuga 2.5 and 1.5 turbo with automatic, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive 4x4 can be found in the stories below:

Owner reviews

The car is comfortable for long hauls over 1,000 km per day. We drove both on highways and on military dirt roads, climbed along scree roads into the mountains (without extreme sports) - Kuga 2 drives confidently, steers when sliding, when stopping on a reverse slope it does not go backwards, you can set off calmly as if on a level road.

Up to 140 km/h the speed is not particularly noticeable; faster it becomes noisy and vibrations appear, but it holds the course confidently even at 160. The car as a whole is balanced, it has no obvious weak points.

The turbocharged engine pulls quite briskly in the city, for sharp overtaking on the highway there is Sport, or the button to lower.

The suspension is more urban on country roads, you can’t go fast, it will go through a virgin field, along rainy forest roads, along a flat beach, it steers nicely. Nothing happened after 30,000 km, the interval between maintenance is 15,000 km. The overall impression is that of a typical urban crossover: comfortable, cheerful, with its own pleasant little things.

But at the same time, I don’t like the layout: the body is narrow, high and elongated (compared to its classmates). The wide A-pillar blocks the side view, the mirrors do not fold all the way and end up sticking out, there are footwell lights for some unknown reason, but there is no illumination for the glove compartment, the tailgate has a closing handle on only one side, so if your right hand is busy you have to manage to close and the move is quite hard, a weak woman will have to hang on it.

Igor Suvorov, drives a Ford Kuga 1.6 (150 hp) AWD AT 2015

You can switch the speed on the automatic transmission in manual mode. Very comfortable seats, you get into the car as if you were in a spacecraft. Nice flat square volume luggage compartment with the rear seats folded down.

The Ford Kuga II handles the road excellently, the car is very maneuverable when driving around the city. And it’s very cool to fill up with gas: I opened the hatch and there are no traffic jams, I put the gun in and took out the gun, it’s clean and comfortable.

Gasoline consumption dropped after 40,000 km, sharply, the car began to consume 2 liters less gasoline. It’s strange, why such a long break-in period? In rainy weather, the trunk sometimes does not open with your foot on the first try. Doors also sometimes (very rarely) do not open on the first try with keyless entry.

Yes, for some reason the side windows get dirty very quickly in the rain. There was only one complaint - after 35,000 km, the engine cooling bypass failed, they replaced it under warranty, despite the fact that I never came to the service, I changed the oil and filter myself.

Nikolay Sheryshev, drives a Ford Kuga 1.6 (150 hp) AWD AT 2013

Video review

A very comfortable and pleasant car to drive, many options, luxurious a roof with a panoramic view, excellent bi-xenon, very comfortable famous door that opens with your foot, excellent seats that have proven themselves very well in long trips(You can easily drive 1,300 km without stopping), good interior materials, decent dynamics, good brakes, very good sound insulation, comfortable suspension, sharp steering wheel, the car is comfortable at speeds up to 200 km/h.

But there are also some problems: the box squeaks, pushes and kicks, steering rack knocks and asks for replacement, the support bars crunch, the saber has worn holes in the back door down to metal, the keyless entry falls off, the music is complete shit..., the steering column clicks, the speedometer is crooked, the hood vibrates at idle, the trunk door sometimes opens with your foot, sometimes it doesn’t, something creaks, taps, rattles, the tire pressure monitoring system does not work, the washer level sensor does not work either...

In addition to this, I was faced with complete reluctance official dealers do anything within the scope of your warranty obligations. Complete from the word “absolutely”. Deeply frostbitten guys. And I received exactly the same attitude from the parent Russian Ford...

Dmitry Gaidash, drives a Ford Kuga 1.6 (182 hp) AWD automatic 2016.

Where can I buy?

After we picked it up, we drove the first 200 km - average consumption showed 8.6 liters. In the city, consumption with all warm-ups and idling showed 13.9 liters. It's a smooth ride.

You understand, while I’m running it in, I’m not forcing it. We were leaving the city for a distance of 200 km one way - the consumption was already 7.3 liters. I fill it with 92nd gasoline, the seller advised me to only drive with 92nd, I don’t know how correct this is, what are you filling?

Now the mileage is already around 900 km. The car warms up very quickly, about 5-10 minutes and the temperature needle starts to rise. It feels like it’s not a car, but an airplane; inside it’s quiet, calm and comfortable. The seats also warm up very quickly.

Another big plus that we paid attention to was the airflow for the rear passengers. On Kuga it is a plus for heating the feet. In my opinion, not on the CX-5. We carry the child in the back. Another plus is the tilt-adjustable rear row seats.

I started the car even at -30 degrees (after 12 hours of inactivity), there is no hint at all that the Kuga will not start. The interior is warm, and in the current frosts I can sit comfortably in a T-shirt.

As for handling, it’s generally a blast. There is no feeling of ice or slush between the stripes. When overtaking, everything is smooth and calm, you sit high, the visibility is excellent. Tires cost Nokia 5 R17 (received as a gift from the salon).

Review of Ford Kuga 1.5 turbo (150 hp) with automatic and all-wheel drive 2018

I will compare the Kuga with my previous Suzuki Grand Vitara. Exterior. I like the front. Still, the muzzle adorned this unit. I don’t like the previous body (the front is kind of squinted). On the side, nothing has changed, indifferent. The rear has changed a little for the better.

Salon. The width on the first row is the same as on the Suzuki. The seats are more comfortable. I settled in right away, the lumbar support is good, as is the lateral support. The right leg doesn't get tired.

Vetrovoe windshield Heating is a wonderful thing, perhaps the most useful after air conditioning. You don’t have to wait for the engine to heat up, and for the warm air to heat up the glass, which means you don’t have to make ridiculous movements with the scraper.

There is quite a lot of space under the hood, but the neck for the washer is a few centimeters higher - it would be more convenient. What I definitely don’t like is the lack of a dipstick for checking the oil in the automatic transmission.

Suspension. A compromise solution. I can evaluate it quite objectively, since every day I walk to and from work along the same path (road). In those places where I remembered everyone, from road workers to our supreme power, with bad words, now I fly by unnoticed, or almost unnoticed.

Engine. What I wanted is what I got. A simple volumetric atmospheric. Some may not have enough traction, but for me the wave is enough, and in extreme cases there is a sport mode. But it only needs to be serviced (oil changed) every 15,000 km. For me it is clear blasphemy.

The owner drives a 2016 Ford Kuga 2.5 (150 hp) AT AWD.

I have standard equipment, but it has everything you need. Front-wheel drive. The car handles perfectly both on a dry road and in heavy rain with puddles. Someone wrote that Kuga does not eat ruts - they are lying! Ford can handle it normally; any car will feel this drawback of our roads. On normal roads, off asphalt and after rain, the car drives confidently and does not falter.

The Kuga's handling is excellent and turns perfectly, even on a roundabout. There is no roll during a high-speed approach! Don’t listen to anyone, because I also read somewhere that it can tilt a lot.

This is my first automatic, and it seems to me that the mechanics would be faster. Gear changes are slower than desired. Also frustrating is the expense. On the highway at a speed of 110-130 km/h you need 9.5 - 10 liters, and at 140-150 - already 10-11 liters. In the city - 12 liters.

Review of Ford Kuga 2.5 (150 hp) with automatic transmission 2019

Systematizing the problems associated with this car turned out to be unexpectedly difficult. We are not inclined to idealize cars, but the second generation Ford Kuga resisted for a very long time before we managed to dig up any dirt on it. Perhaps the car is still too new?

Usually, by the age of five, a whole trail has already formed behind almost every car. typical shortcomings and the most common faults. We set to work on the Ford crossover, rubbing our hands together as usual. And imagine our surprise when Internet forums unanimously produced only one typical “jamb” based on this model. And he’s not worth a damn. It turned out that the 5-year service life, which is exactly how long the oldest cars among our test vehicles are today, is not indicative of age for Ford.

Many on the forums pay attention to the high quality of the plastic finishing. It is durable and looks rich. But you may not like the number of buttons. A lot of them

After reading a fair amount of reviews, you understand that the crossover has outlived the “diseases” of the first generation and is generally made quite well. Handsome on the outside, modern and solid on the inside. However, among its main advantages, both owners and experts indicate excellent driving performance, as well as the reliability and reliability of the main units. It’s even difficult to single out anything as a leader here, so let’s go in order, noting the nuances that are worth keeping in mind when buying this car.

Moving on to the details, let's start with the diesel engine, which has enough traction under all conditions. The manufacturer offered a choice of two versions of the TDCi engine of different power (150 and 180 hp). Both at this stage do not cause problems, with the exception of troubles provoked by frankly unsuitable fuel. What about gasoline engine 1.6 EcoBoost (150 and 182 hp), then it will not disappoint. The engine boasts a torque of 240 Nm, which is quite enough for passable dynamics.

Thin and easily damaged

We also cannot recommend any one of the two proposed transmissions. Both 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions work reliably and have not yet reached the age when you should listen and “sniff” the process of their activity. Off-road, regardless of the drive type, both work fine in the context, of course, disabilities crossover in this area. And the Kuga all-wheel drive system does not yet require attention beyond the regulatory control.

You can’t say anything reprehensible about the body either. Of course, its size does not suit everyone, but even many owners of ten-year-old crossovers still cannot complain about corrosion or even slight “blooming” of the iron. And this despite the fact that the Kuga’s paintwork is quite thin and easily vulnerable. And there are no complaints at all about the interior decoration. Both fabric and leather behave with dignity. Only some aspects of ergonomics and functionality of the equipment raise questions.

But where there will certainly be no complaints is in handling. There are questions about setting up the electric amplifier. There are too many “synthetics” in the near-zero zone. But with more serious deflection, an organic and correct feedback force appears on the steering wheel, and the wheels respond to commands accurately and quickly. Balanced suspension settings help you get the most out of your ride. There is both comfort and speed of reaction to road conditions.

Where is that weirdo?

Since we are talking about the suspension, it wouldn’t hurt to say a few warm words about it. An important advantage of the chassis is durability. Most frequent replacement– stabilizer struts – after 60–80 thousand km. Other parts, on occasion, last up to 200 thousand km. This is a resource of balls, silent blocks of levers, support bearings and the cushions themselves, shock absorbers). However, the silent blocks of the rear multi-link last on average up to three years, regardless of mileage. After which the fasteners of the rear transverse arms, with the help of which the toe-in of the wheels are adjusted, can “stick”. Regular lubrication is required. By the way, repairing the chassis is not cheap - many components are changed along with the levers.

The trunk is not considered a giant, only 406 liters. But a folded sofa will increase it to 1603 liters. Among the successful solutions is the absence of a middle tunnel. It's much easier to fit in the back without it. We do not recommend chasing the electric drive of the fifth door, it is very slow

And as for that one “jamb”, since we have already mentioned it, we must post it to the end. This is the so-called braid - a plastic trim above the license plate on the fifth door. With its corners it rubs against the body and is guaranteed to wipe two full-fledged “holes” down to the metal. The prevention recipe is simple - remove the “braid” and cut off the corners with a file.

And finally, nowadays there are no cars without electronic glitches. Kuga is no exception here. The electrical system is somehow better, sometimes the headlight control unit suffers, but inconsistency between various electronic protocols often emerges. This can manifest itself in incomprehensible behavior of the radio, alarm lights coming on, and illogical operation of heated mirrors and seats. But, as you already understand, for the second generation Ford Kuga this is mere trifle. They won’t spoil the impression of the car if there is an eccentric who agrees to sell it to you for little money.

Handling, energy efficiency and suspension comfort, diesel engine, automatic transmission, anti-corrosion

High price of the car, dynamics of the version with the 1.6 EcoBoost engine

Suspension

Structurally chassis Kuga is similar to the same-platform Focus, but is not interchangeable. Stabilizers on both axes lateral stability. An important advantage of the chassis is durability. Steering ends can easily last more than 100 thousand km, and tie rods can extend twice as long

Transmission

The work of the automatic transmission cannot be called rapid, but complaints about it are rare. Perhaps this is the best budget 6-speed gearbox created by Americans in this century. They also don’t complain about manual transmission breakdowns. Perhaps the selection of gear ratios... The first gear in the manual transmission can be made “longer”, while the second one can be significantly “shortened”