Which Ford Kuga is better: diesel or petrol?

By Farzana Chaumoo

Ford Kuga’s latest petrol engines are more efficient than ever, but the diesel is still our pick.

 

Ford uses a range of proven engines in the Kuga but it’s the diesel that offer the lowest running costs. The diesel engine hauls this 2,250 kg vehicle better than the petrol alternative. Running costs are increased with the four-wheel drive or an automatic gearbox as compared to the two-wheel-drive derivative, however, two-wheel-drive derivatives aren’t available in SA.

 

L/100km & CO2

There are two diesel engines on offer. The 2.0-litre 132 kW engine is our pick as it returns 5.4L/100 km, while CO2 emissions of 140g/km when paired to the 6-speed PowerShift automatic gearbox. Its Intelligent AWD (All-Wheel Drive) system is likely to be popular in this model. You’re paying retail of R570,900 for a new Kuga 2.0 TDCI ST-Line Powershift 6AT AWD SUV which includes VAT and Environment Tax (Environment Tax includes CO2 Emission Tax and Tyre Tax). The fuel savings and performance gain associated with this top-of-the-range model will be more relevant to most owners.

 

The 1.5-litre 88 kW diesel paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which has front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, can manage up to 4.4L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 115g/km. the Kuga 1.5 TDCI Ambiente 6MT FWD SUV sells for R429,200 while the Kuga 1.5 TDCI Trend 6MT FWD SUV starts at R459,400. These prices include VAT and Environment Tax (Environment Tax includes CO2 Emission Tax and Tyre Tax).

 

The 1.5-litre petrol cars come with either 110 kW or 132 kW. Both of these come with front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard. The 110 kW engine is paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox and has a combined fuel consumption of 6.2L/100km and CO2 emissions of 143g/km. The 132 kW derivative is paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox with SelectShift® and has a combined fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km and CO2 emissions of 159g/km. The 110 kW Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost Ambiente 6MT FWD SUV starts at R391,900 while the 132 kW Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost Ambiente 6AT FWD SUV starts at R405,700. These prices include VAT and Environment Tax (Environment Tax includes CO2 Emission Tax and Tyre Tax).

 

Servicing

Fords don’t have high maintenance costs and they have a broad dealer network around the country. According to MechanicBuddy’s Service Costs Estimates for the Kuga, for a 120,000 km service, you’re looking at spending between R2,293 to R2,888. You can also find a top list of Kuga mechanics here.

 

For new Kuga’s, a Service Plan is compulsory and is inclusive in the above listed retail prices and dealer billing. On the Invoice, the service plan price and vehicle price are shown as two separate items.

 

Warranty

New Vehicle Warranty – Every KUGA comes with a 4-yr/120 000km Comprehensive Warranty.

Service Plan – The KUGA comes standard with a 6-yr/90 000km Service Plan with 15 000km intervals on all derivatives, which covers all scheduled servicing except friction materials, i.e brake pads and wiper blades.

Corrosion Warranty – 5-yr/unlimited km cover.

Roadside Assistance – 3-yr/unlimited km for cover mechanical, electrical, flat tyres, batteries, medical emergencies and towing, if needed, to the nearest Ford dealership.

New Vehicle Extended Warranty – An Extended Warranty may be purchased prior to the expiry of the 4-yr/120 000km New Vehicle Warranty, giving owners an extra 2-yr/80 000km of worry-free driving.

 

 

Read more Ford Kuga News & Reviews here.