Used Ford Kuga for sale: everything you need to know
The Ford Kuga is a family SUV that is the brand’s largest SUV for sale in the UK today. Think of it as a bigger and more practical version of the Ford Focus.
It sits above the Ford EcoSport and Ford Puma small SUVs in Ford’s range and is available with a range of engine options including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and full hybrid, meaning there is something for everyone.
SUVs such as the Ford Kuga are extremely popular right now, meaning there’s lots of choice and some keen offers and deals to be found, whether you’re buying or leasing. Rivals include the Nissan Qashqai, the impressive Kia Sportage and the excellent Hyundai Tucson.
Should you buy a used Ford Kuga?
The Ford Kuga is one of our favourite family SUVs in what is a very crowded marketplace. As with most Fords, there’s been a focus on making it good to drive, and as well as being an easy car to drive in town it also has sharp handling for an SUV, making it enjoyable on the open road.
What’s more, because it doesn’t have a premium German badge on the bonnet it’s relatively affordable for both buying and leasing, yet even the cheapest models come comprehensively equipped. It’s practical, too - all Ford Kugas have a sliding rear seat bench that allows you to choose between a bigger boot or more legroom in the back.
The Ford Kuga is a top buy whether you’re looking at a new or used family SUV. Not only is it pretty affordable thanks to plenty of choice, it’s a solid and capable all-rounder.
There isn’t really a bad version of the Ford Kuga. The 150PS 1.5 Ecoboost petrol model is a good all-rounder that will suit most needs, but there’s also the 150PS 2.0-litre diesel (no longer available to order new) for those doing higher mileage. The hybrids, meanwhile, are more expensive to buy or lease, but offer plenty of fuel and (if it’s a company car) tax savings for those that can make best use of their electric power.
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What’s the best used Ford Kuga model to buy?
For the first time, Ford’s offering a plug-in hybrid version of the Kuga. The Ford Kuga PHEV combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a heavy lump of a battery. The result is up to 35 miles of running under electric power alone, meaning it could be a very economical choice for those of us who mainly cover short journeys day-to-day and can easily charge up at home or at work.
If cover a lot of miles, then the 190PS diesel might be the one to go for, while the petrol engine with 150PS feels a little underpowered to go with the size of car.
All Ford Kuga models are well-equipped so it’s not really necessary to stretch your budget for one of the higher-spec trim levels. A standard Ford Kuga Zetec or Titanium will be fine for most buyers. In terms of engines, it depends what you need.
Used Ford Kuga fuel economy and performance
Ford Kuga petrol: the only pure petrol option is a 1.5-litre 150PS four-cylinder turbo, which does 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds and up to 42mpg combined. It uses a six-speed manual transmission.
Ford Kuga hybrid: this uses 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and small 1.1kWh self-charging battery. It does 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and promises up to 51.4mpg combined. It uses a CVT automatic transmission.
Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid (PHEV): This uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and 14.4kWh battery that needs to be charged at home or via a public charging point. It does 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds, claims up to 282mpg and can travel between 37-39 miles on electric power alone. It uses a CVT automatic transmission.
You’ll also find some older diesel used Ford Kugas for sale, with 1.5 and 2.0-litre diesel engines to choose from and ranging in power outputs (120PS, 150PS and 190PS). There was also a less powerful 120PS version of the 1.5-litre petrol engine, although this is best avoided.
What used Ford Kuga trim levels are available?
The Ford Kuga is available only in one bodystyle, with no seven-seat option. But there is plenty of trim levels to choose from, from the most affordable Zetec trim to the posher Vignale model, with the sportier-looking ST-Line trim a popular choice.
The Ford Kuga Zetec is the entry-level model, and it’s only available in front-wheel drive form with the 150PS 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol engine and a manual gearbox.
The Ford Kuga Titanium is still petrol-only but there’s more standard equipment on offer. It would be our choice if you don’t need a hybrid, and is worth more than Zetec trim on the secondhand market.
The Ford Kuga ST-Line is the sportiest model, with unique exterior and interior detailing. There’s also the pricier ST-Line X trim that adds bigger wheels and extra luxuries. Both are also available in hybrid form.
The Ford Kuga Vignale is the range flagship, with an upmarket look and posher interior trim. When buying new or used, the high-end trims command a premium over the basic versions.
Ford Kuga dimensions and boot size
The Ford Kuga’s dimensions are:
The Ford Kuga’s boot size is:
Used Ford Kuga road tax
Most Ford Kuga models registered from 1 April 2017 cost £200 a year to tax under the current Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rules. This includes petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, as the previous £10 annual discount for hybrids has been removed.
Higher-specification Ford Kuga models with an original list price of more than £40,000, including factory-fitted options, are subject to an additional £440 annual supplement for five years, starting with the second year of registration. This brings the annual road tax bill to £640 while the supplement applies. It's worth checking whether this affects any particularly well-equipped Kuga you're considering.
Older Ford Kuga models registered before 1 April 2017 are taxed according to their CO2 emissions rather than a flat rate. Road tax can therefore vary considerably depending on the engine and version.
Always check the road tax for the specific Ford Kuga you're considering, as the amount depends on its registration date, emissions and original list price.
How much is it to insure a Ford Kuga?
The Ford Kuga falls into insurance group 10 with the least powerful 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol engine and Zetec trim. The full hybrid Kuga starts at group 20, while the plug-in hybrid is group 21. The highest Ford Kuga insurance group is 22 for top-spec trims.
Read our full Ford Kuga review
