Daily Podcast: The Great Kuga Hunt
Published: July 23rd, 2009
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No, we’re not talking about stalking women of a certain age. To my summer flu-addled mind, this Focus-based softroader should be on the US market already, cashing in on one of the few successful segments left here. We hear it’s going to be built in Kentucky, but when?
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Edward - You have a good theory there. However, before I go gung-ho for killing off the Escape in favor of the Kuga I'd like to drive an actual Kuga. IMO the Escape gets a lot of undeserved bad press. Yes, while the underlying platform is a bit old, it was very thoroughly overhauled last year with new engines, new suspension tuning, and a new look the year before that. The rear drum brakes are really the only legacy thing about it, and the people who buy them overall are as pleased as punch with them. I'd also rather see the Explorer name die off than the Edge. The Edge is already making a name for itself as a good midsize CUV, while the Explorer name brings baggage of rollovers and poor gas mileage.
As a married 40-something male, I would go for a Kuga any day of the week. The car, I mean. Escapes are very popular where I live, but ten seconds in the seat was all I could handle. The Flex was interesting, but too plastic-glitzy and waaaay too expensive for a Ford. It took me about five minutes in that showroom to realize that I was about to buy my first Hyundai. From what I see in pictures, however, the Kuga would have at least slowed down that process. Bring it on, Ford.
Saw plenty of these on the road in Italy this summer. Very nice looking - much like a RAV4 with just a bit more flair. Wonder what kind of mileage it would get? If it is in the same ballpark as the Rogue I imagine it would sell very well here. Personally, the only thing that kept me away from the Rogue was the lack of a manual transmission option.
Well, at least the name would not be an instant killer like in some other markets (in several Slavic languages Kuga (correct spelling too) means 'the plague'). While not as much fun as the Euro Focus it is based on, the 2.5 litre 5 cyl from Volvo is still moderately entertaining.