Ford Vehicle

Email to a friend Printer friendly Font: * * * * The Kuga is a delightful SUV that would sell like hotcakes were it brought to North America. It has style and personality, so it’s quite unlike the typical two-box offering. Driving it, however, proved to be the real eye-opener. Gone is the mushy handling for which SUVs are famed in favour of something that feels more like a sporty car than a utility vehicle.

The compliant suspension dials out most of the body roll and the response to steering input is precise. The Kuga’s 2.0-litre TDCi turbocharged, common-rail, diesel engine (offered in all of Ford’s C-segment vehicles) churns out 136 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 r.p.m. When married to the six-speed manual, it is a delight.

Stand on the gas and, almost without regard for engine revolutions, the torque it twists out is enough to chirp the front tires, and this in a vehicle that features a good Haldex all-wheel drive system. The highlight of the drive program proved to be the Focus ST. The five-door hatch is as light on its wheels as it is enticing to look at. It has none of the fake side gills that mar the North American Focus.

Inside, there’s a great set of Recaro seats and a hand-filling steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustments. Heading out on to the track, I nail the gas and I am immediately surprised by the response and urgency. The reason is simple — the ST uses a Ford-tuned version of Volvo’s 2.5L, turbocharged in-line five that’s good for 225 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque.