Car Statistics: Ford - Kuga Series 08 (4 stars)

Styling (4 stars)

The strong wheelarches and raked third side window lend some character to the Kuga. Given the tall, relatively short profile of this type of car, Ford has done as much as it could to make it distinctive.

Handling (4 stars)

Considerably better than even the latest generation of conventional off-roaders (e.g. the Citroen C Crosser / Peugeot 4007). Not the sort of vehicle you buy to rush down country lanes, but it can actually be quite fun on A-roads.

Comfort (4 stars)

Very well controlled rise for an SUV which, together with a luxurious interior, makes it a pleasant car for long journeys. Some early cars suffered from a bit of wind noise, though.

Quality (4 stars)

Nowadays most Fords have a good reputation for reliability and are as dependable as, say, a VW. The trim materials feel pretty solid and long-lasting.

Performance (3 stars)

It is no ball of fire with over 1600kg to propel. The 2.0 litre diesel is reasonably brisk but, if you want sparking performance you will have to go for the 2.5 turbo petrol (from late 2008) and hang the expense - which will be considerable

Roominess (3 stars)

It is competitive with other compact SUVs from Toyota and Honda, but that 4x4 hardware takes up quite a bit of space. Compared to a £20K hatchback, let alone an MPV, it is pretty tight in the back.

Costs (4 stars)

Servicing will be reasonably cheap, fuel economy and CO2 figures are best-in-class and residual values are forecast to be strong. If you can afford the high initial cost, it should be an economical long-term choice.

Value (3 stars)

There is no getting away from it - the list price is high. However, you have to remember you are buying a top-specification model, as there is no entry-level version of the Kuga. For what you get, the value is fair.

Stereo (4 stars)

The usual systems you get in upmarket Fords, which are pretty good. The interface for the sat nav system is excellent - Ford has done a lot of work on making its electronics easy to use.