Ford Tips New and Future Ford Cars, SUVs and Pickup Trucks. Read in-depth reviews and find out what kind of changes will get upcoming Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
Differences between the Ford Escape and Kuga are minor. One vehicle is available in the US, and other one in the rest of the world. The 2024 Ford Kuga could change things around if the company really redesigns the compact crossover. This is not the most popular automotive class in the US, but the popularity of these vehicles grows in other parts of the globe, especially in Europe. Small and versatile crossovers are perfect for family trips and everyday commuting. A hybrid engine maximizes fuel economy, so there is no surprise why the American vehicle is competitive in the European market.
Kuga is pretty similar to Escape. Two crossovers share the C2 platform, engines (including a hybrid), and the European vehicle even offers diesel units. But, the 2024 Ford Kuga can shake things a bit to become more distinctive. The vehicle is most popular in Europe, and Ford still sells it in China. An all-electric crossover will debut pretty soon and some say it can be Kuga EV. If you are looking for even smaller vehicle, the new Puma is a great alternative.
2024 Ford Kuga Specs
The crossover is sharing the platform with Escape, which allowed engineers to deploy the same petrol powertrains. The base configuration is going to be a 1.5-liter turbocharged I3 unit with 180 hp and 190 pound-feet of torque. The fuel economy is not bad, and the setup is perfect for commuters. An 8-speed transmission sends power to front or all wheels.
A turbo-four delivers more power, costs more and consumes more gas. But, the driving impression is improved thanks to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft. An all-wheel drive is standard when you pick a 2.0-liter displacement. The fuel economy is worse than for an I3, but not too much, especially if you take Kuga to longer trips.
2024 Ford Kuga Hybrids
Two hybrid systems are available for the 2024 Ford Kuga. The base one is combining the Atkinson cycle engine with batteries. The result is improved power and fuel economy. It consumes 5.5-6l per 100 km (40-42 mpg). Here, a CVT is a gearbox and there is again a FWD as the default configuration.
A plug-in hybrid enhances the power again and the Kuga PHEV returns 220 horsepower. The system consumes slightly more fuel than the standard hybrid. But, it can go by using only electric power. The range should be over 60 kilometers. It also costs more than the base hybrid.
Diesel Units
The company is not dropping diesel engines in Europe yet. Well, compared to the previous generation, the new crossover has an additional option with a 1.5-liter turbodiesel mill joining the lineup. Depending on the country and Ford dealers, you can get the oil burner with 120-180 horsepower. The fuel economy is also cool for diesel units. However, we are not sure if those units will hang around for too long. Not only Ford, but also other companies are dropping these engines and make more room for cleaner systems – hybrids and PHEVs.
2024 Ford Kuga Facelift
To make the 2024 Ford Kuga look more distinctive, the company is preparing a restyling. The crossover is still going to share a lot of things with the Escape, but it will at least look different. The 2024 season is just around the corner and the development should be in the final phases. Nevertheless, we still don’t have details. The front fascia should bring most changes. The tail is going to introduce new lights and maybe exhaust pipes. Designers will also revisit colors and trim levels. The offer depends from market to market. Titanium and ST Line are the most popular, while the Vignale is the top grade.
Competition
The compact crossover class is one of the widest in the market. The competition in the US is very tough, but in Europe, there are even more vehicles. Like the Escape, the 2024 Ford Kuga will face Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V and Nissan Qashqai (Rogue), all Japanese vehicles. Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are still growing. Plus, there are very popular French crossovers – Renault Kadjar and Peugeot 3008. Opel Crossland and VW Tiguan are German representatives for the non-premium class. Skoda Kodiak is using VW parts and engines, so it is basically the Tiguan with different styling and equipment packages.
When Will 2024 Ford Kuga Be Launched?
The facelift of the vehicle is not confirmed yet, and the next season is getting closer. Do not be surprised if changes are postponed for the following year. Ford has higher priorities, especially new electric vehicles that face tough competition in Europe, maybe even more than in the US. The company has no plans of selling bigger SUVs in Europe. Cars, such as Fiesta and Focus, are still built in plants outside US. So, there are a lot of questions and we don’t know which department can give precise answers about the Kuga redesign.
