As significant as VTEC was for Honda in the 1990s, the EcoBoost range of engines is poised to do even more for Ford. And as part of expanding the powertrain lineup, the Ford Kuga has received a new motor - a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine.
The mid-sized SUV sector is where all of the hype is right now, and recent years have seen a flurry of new or updated entrants including the Kia Sportage, the Honda CR-V, the Nissan Qashqai, the Mazda CX-5, the Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4.
It, thus, makes sense for Ford to introduce a new powertrain in Singapore for the Kuga. The vehicle is not only one of the smallest in displacement in its class, but also one that is more value for money, thanks to the lesser road tax.
Up close and Personal
Don't go looking for changes to the sheet metal - the Kuga looks the same. We're big fans of the SUV's styling - it's crisp and modern with nice proportions.
The mid-sized SUV sector is where all of the hype is right now, and recent years have seen a flurry of new or updated entrants including the Kia Sportage, the Honda CR-V, the Nissan Qashqai, the Mazda CX-5, the Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4.
It, thus, makes sense for Ford to introduce a new powertrain in Singapore for the Kuga. The vehicle is not only one of the smallest in displacement in its class, but also one that is more value for money, thanks to the lesser road tax.
Up close and Personal
Don't go looking for changes to the sheet metal - the Kuga looks the same. We're big fans of the SUV's styling - it's crisp and modern with nice proportions.
In fact, the car is the evolution of Ford's Vertek Concept shown at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show, which came about to provide the Blue Oval company fresh stimulus in the fast-growing mid-sized SUV segment.
The interior of the Kuga is business as usual and that is to say that Ford's little 3.5-inch blue screen display sits atop the dashboard with a vast array of confusing, mobile phone-inspired buttons strewn below.
Still, you can't fault the Ford for practicality thanks to a 406-litre boot, rising to 1,603 litres with the rear seats folded.
The Drive
Under the bonnet of the Kuga is a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which is more efficient than the previous model, claiming some 13.5km/L of fuel economy on average as compared to the outgoing model's 12.9km/L.
This variant is also available with a automatic stop/start function to further improve economy but no thanks to our heavy right foot on the throttle, we only managed 10.5km/L during our time with the car.
Nonetheless, the Kuga is a considerably great car for the new engine. It may not be the most refined EcoBoost engine we've encountered, but it is a peppy, willing thing that revs freely and has more notable grunt than its predecessor.
And while it's one of the smallest engines in this market segment, you would never know it. There is nothing puny about its power and torque output and you never feel like it is short of power, even with a full load on board.
The motor is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that shifts through gears reasonably well, performing at its best in stop-and-go traffic. However, under hard throttle, there are times the gearbox could take a little more time to process upshifts, allowing the revs to hang.
Under the bonnet of the Kuga is a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which is more efficient than the previous model, claiming some 13.5km/L of fuel economy on average as compared to the outgoing model's 12.9km/L.
This variant is also available with a automatic stop/start function to further improve economy but no thanks to our heavy right foot on the throttle, we only managed 10.5km/L during our time with the car.
Nonetheless, the Kuga is a considerably great car for the new engine. It may not be the most refined EcoBoost engine we've encountered, but it is a peppy, willing thing that revs freely and has more notable grunt than its predecessor.
And while it's one of the smallest engines in this market segment, you would never know it. There is nothing puny about its power and torque output and you never feel like it is short of power, even with a full load on board.
The motor is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that shifts through gears reasonably well, performing at its best in stop-and-go traffic. However, under hard throttle, there are times the gearbox could take a little more time to process upshifts, allowing the revs to hang.
But that's just a small niggle considering the fact that the Blue Oval has a penchant for making some of the most impressive handling cars and this continues with the Kuga, thanks to the car's nimble nature.
Its steering is quick to react to responses, and there's excellent feel through the wheel whether you're pushing hard through a corner or just cruising along the highway. Along the way, the compliant suspension is immediately noticeable. It allows the car to feel very much settled and comfortable over rough surfaces, which makes it a compelling feature in the Kuga.
Conclusion
There may be little change in terms of styling or equipment, but the change under the hood of the Kuga has had a real impact. This change further reinforces the car's standing as a well-packaged mid-sized SUV and 'boosts' Ford to go further.
As a sign of things to come from Ford, the future is looking good for the Blue Oval.
