Already anticipated in 2023, the new Ford Kuga 2024 officially debuts on the European market, undergoing significant changes without losing its identity. Instead, it refines it.
The Kuga, continuously the best-selling plug-in hybrid SUV in Europe (including Denmark) since 2021, retains its two other powertrains but introduces significantly updated infotainment and safety technology, and undergoes changes in the front end. Additionally, an Active version with a more off-road aesthetic debuts, while the ST-Line features a more elaborate design.
The Ford Kuga 2024 will be available in Europe from spring 2024, manufactured in Spain at the Almussafes plant in Valencia and designed for European customers. Scandinavian prices will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Ford Kuga 2024: What changes on the outside
The new design was actually previewed, as its counterpart named Escape has already been updated in the United States in 2023.
What changes the most is the front end: here, the logo becomes larger and returns to the center of the hexagonal grille, which has also grown in size and is now devoid of chrome strips. Additionally, the headlights have a new design and a new LED texture that stretches across the entire width, similar to the new electric Explorer.
There are also differences in terms of trim. In particular, the new Active version adopts elements seen on the Focus, with a more SUV, adventurous aesthetic, particularly well-suited for the Hybrid AWD with all-wheel drive. It features reinforced and chromed bumpers, along with dedicated modes to handle surfaces like sand or mud.
The ST-Line, on the other hand, is more elegant and sophisticated, with lowered bumpers and a new design for glossy black rims, as well as bumpers with chrome inserts. Fewer changes are made to the rear, maintaining the current design but altering the LED pattern of the lights.
The new interiors
Inside, the 2024 Ford Kuga features the latest-generation SYNC 4 infotainment system from Ford, offering twice the computing power compared to SYNC 3.
Integrated seamlessly with smartphones, it has 5G connectivity for quick access to information, cloud-connected navigation to help avoid traffic jams, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Alexa Built-in is also standard, allowing drivers and passengers to ask questions or set functions even without a connected smartphone.
A standout feature is the new and larger 21:9 aspect ratio display, similar to that seen on the Focus, along with some improvements in interior materials.
The car also comes with a full range of advanced driver assistance systems. These include:
- Enhanced Adaptive Cruise Control, which automatically maintains the distance from the preceding vehicle and can bring the vehicle to a complete stop in traffic;
- Pre-Collision Assist System with Pedestrian and Cyclist Recognition, which alerts the driver to potential obstacles on the road and can automatically brake if necessary;
- Lane-Keeping System with Center Lane Assist, which helps keep the vehicle in the center of the lane;
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Evasive Maneuver Assist (EMA), which warns the driver of other vehicles in blind spots and can help avoid a collision.
Up to 69 km of electric range
The Ford Kuga 2024 maintains its hybrid philosophy with more options. The plug-in variant offers up to 69 km of electric-only range, with the ability to recharge the battery at home or at public charging stations.
The Kuga Hybrid (full hybrid) provides the comfort of an electrified powertrain, with up to 900 km of range on a full tank of fuel and up to 64% purely electric driving in the city.
Both Plug-In Hybrid and Hybrid AWD models offer significantly improved performance, with reduced emissions typical of electrified driving. Additionally, the new Kuga has a towing capacity of up to 2,100 kg, the best in its category, allowing it to easily tow a large caravan or horse trailer.
