In this article, I will try to systematize all the information about the 2024 Kuga which is about to get a good facelift and add some features. It’s still the third-generation SUV offered as Kuga in Europe and Escape in the US. I will obviously focus on the UK and European versions.
So, the new facelifted Kuga is not going to change dramatically – just some minor visual upgrades like the new headlight shape. But it’s not correct to say that the facelift is useless.
Here’s what will change:
- the Sync 4 infotainment with a huge 13.2-inch screen;
- no climate buttons – everything is now on the touchscreen (which is a little disappointing to me);
- some buttons are moved around and it feels the overall comfort gets a little better;
- finally, the AWD Hybrid is here – for everyone who was asking for that in forums and reviews.
Now, let’s see what exactly you can get and what technologies you may choose when buying the new Kuga.
Engines and transmissions
You may ask why I wrote this article if you have the option of the official website. But have you tried the “Build and Price” option? To me, it’s absolutely mad and inconvenient because it doesn’t show the entire range of things I can choose in this SUV.
Here are the engine options for the new Kuga:
- The starting 5L 3-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. It comes with a 6-speed manual only. I believe there will be an article about this engine soon on the blog.
- Hybrid is the 2.5L Duratec engine plus an electric engine and battery pack. The FWD version comes with 180 hp while the AWD option has 183 horsepower. This is the full hybrid (no electric range, no charging). The bad thing – it comes with the CVT.
- PHEV or Plug-In Hybrid is also available. It’s based on the same 2.5L Duratec engine, has the 14.4-kWh battery pack, and only comes with AWD. It offers up to 243 hp and can go about 43 miles without even starting the petrol engine (EV range). The eCVT is the available transmission.
So, you basically have four options: a 3-cylinder base engine, FWD full-hybrid, AWD full-hybrid, and also PHEV that you can charge. You may see that there is no diesel version and it’s actually predictable. The 2-liter diesel is retired and we will never see it in the Ford dealerships again.
Should you be happy with these offers? Well, I would want to see another transmission for the plug-in hybrid. They have a great 8-speed automatic 8F40 transmission that they use in some markets and it could tow a boat or something like that. Even though the specs say that the PHEV can tow 2300 kilos, I don’t think the CVT will love that experience.
How much is the new Kuga?
Surprisingly, Ford wants to make their cars more affordable for buyers in the UK and Europe. The starting Kuga with the 1.5L Dragon EcoBoost engine with the cheapest build will cost now just a little over 32,000 pounds. That’s more than a thousand cheaper than the pre-facelift version.
If you consider the X-Trail to be the competition for the new Kuga, read about its 1.5L 3-cylinder engine in my article. Gosh, this is a kind of 3-cylinder epidemic hitting those manufacturers!
Of course, if you want a hybrid with all the top-of-the-line features, the price of such a Kuga will be painful. I believe it will jump over 41,000 pounds/euros and then you will have to pay about 2,000 for extras.
Is it still a good car for the price? I believe it is. But the Kuga is now most likely not the only option you would love to test drive before you make a choice. I would at least try the Tiguan, the X-Trail, and also the Tucson or Sportage.
What’s the trick with the base engine (1.5 EcoBoost)?
Ford used to have several 1.5L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engines that actually were pretty good. But this is not one of them. This is the 3-cylinder Dragon engine that we don’t know a lot about.
It has been used in Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta ST, and also in the Ford Bronco apart from the Kuga/Escape. This engine is not the most reliable unit in the world and it has all the “3-cylinder diseases” such an engine should have: vibration, unpredictable longevity, and a pile of high-mileage problems. High mileage in this case is anything above 80,000 miles.
So is it good or bad? It’s the same as the 1.0L EcoBoost – quite a lottery. While one owner can easily hit 200,000 miles with no serious problems, another Ford buyer will throw the engine away after something like 80K miles.
Thank you, Ford, for not installing the 7-speed Powershift in the new Kuga. At least, the reliable and problem-free manual transmission is still there.
Would I buy the 2024 post-facelift Kuga?
I will fairly say that I can’t see the version that I would buy. I don’t like the hybrid powertrains with eCVT transmissions. While the petrol engine part seems more than decent, all other things are questionable.
The manual version is great in terms of simplicity and fuel consumption, but it has a 3-cylinder engine that is not as reliable as I would love it to be. So, no, my choice is certainly not the Kuga.
But I have to admit that Ford really made it much cooler in 2024 with the simple facelift, price reduction, and also several powertrain updates that will appeal to European buyers, in my opinion.
What do you think of the new Kuga? Share in the comments below!
