Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Titanium Auto

We're huge fans of the Ford Kuga at Auto Express. The two-wheel-drive model has already beaten the BMW X1 once (Issue 1,089), so don’t be fooled by its mainstream badge – it’s worth its place at the compact SUV table.

The high-class impression begins as soon as you clap eyes on the Kuga, as we think its athletic stance, rising waistline and angled headlamps give a really purposeful appearance. It wins the battle for kerb appeal, although badge snobs will be put off by the blue oval on its grille.

Climbing inside will do nothing to allay the concerns of image-conscious buyers, as the interior betrays the Ford’s status as the old timer in this line-up. The dials are from the second-generation Focus, you get a dated dot-matrix screen between the instruments and the rest of the dash is slabby next to the Q3.

At least the Ford compensates for its lower-quality materials and design with loads of kit; cruise control, a DAB radio and part-leather trim all come as standard in Titanium trim.

What you don’t get is as much space – the 360-litre boot is the smallest on test and the rear seats provide the least legroom. This isn’t the disaster it could be, though, as passengers sit more upright in the Kuga than in the other cars – so the Ford makes the most of the space it has. The flat rear floor also creates more foot room than in the Q3 or X1.

Useful touches to make life easier in the Ford include the rear screen – which opens separately to boost access in tight spaces – and flat-folding rear seats. There’s also a conventional hatchback-style parcel shelf instead of the fixed design fitted to the Q3.

But in reality, our trio are very closely matched for practicality – and the Kuga is at its best on the road. Ford is famous for getting the balance between ride comfort and handling just 

right, and the Kuga doesn’t disappoint. The perfectly judged steering, supple and responsive chassis and slick twin-clutch gearbox ensure it’s as fun to drive as its hatchback cousins.

Turn into a bend and the nose tucks in tightly as you lift off the throttle, and not even mid-corner bumps can ruffle the car’s impressive composure.

But that’s not to say the Ford is perfect. Its 161bhp 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine trails on straight-line pace in this company. At our test track, it was slower than the Q3 across the board. This can partly be explained by its twin-clutch PowerShift transmission, which has six gears, rather than seven.

Either way, the Ford doesn’t feel underpowered, and keen drivers will appreciate its manual mode. Unlike the Q3, it makes do without steering paddles, but its lever is configured to downshift when you nudge it forwards, just like a proper sports car.

Excessive wind noise from the door mirrors at cruising speeds and a disappointing showing during our braking tests are the other complaints. The latter can be explained by the damp conditions when we figured the Ford, and the fact our test car had only delivery mileage. The brakes will improve as the mileage mounts up – so the Ford has few dynamic faults.

Details

Chart position: 2
WHY: Don’t write off the Ford Kuga as the joker in this pack. It’s a stylish and dynamic compact SUV, and its PowerShift twin-clutch box adds quick gearchanges to the appeal.