2013 Ford Kuga debuts: Geneva 2012

2013 Ford Kuga

The European version of the North American Escape – the 2013 Ford Kuga – has been revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.

What’s to say about the 2013 Ford Kuga that we haven’t already said about the new North American Ford Escape? Not a lot is the truth, as apart from minor differences – lights and name, principally – the Kuga and Escape are one and the same in Ford’s ‘One Ford’ world.

What does set the European Kuga apart from its colonial cousin is what’s under the bonnet – diesels. At launch the 2013 Kuga will come with the choice of a pair of 20,0 litre diesels with either 13bhp or 161bhp and a single petrol engine sporting Ford’s 1.6 liter Ecoboost with 148bhp.

Just like the Escape, the Kuga is bigger than the old Kuga which should address the moans about back seat space and ups the boot capacity by 25 per cent.

Just like the Escape, the Kuga gets a bit of a tech-fest going on with stuff like the ‘kick-to-open’ hatch, Ford SYNC, Active Park Assist and Blind Spot Information.

Under the skin is improved too, with the new Kuga getting Ford’s Torque Vectoring Control (as seen on the new Focus, with which the new Kuga shares its platform) which works by channelling power to the wheel with the most grip and braking the opposing wheel. It should make the new Kuga a nimble compact SUV.

The new Ford Kuga won’t go on sale in the UK until early 2013.