The electrifying Kuga

The Kuga is the blue oval’s most popular SUV in Europe, and the latest model is one of Ford’s most electrified cars to date. The all-new version of the popular SUV comes with a range of powertrains, but it’s the Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) in ST-Line X trim that I’ve tested here. A new, continuously variable transmission (CVT) has also been thrown into the mix.
The PHEV's electric motor is paired with a 2.5-litre petrol lump giving a maximum output of 225ps. This translates to a 0-62mph time of 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 125mph in the real world. That's quick for a five-door family SUV. What’s more impressive is that you can use the Kuga PHEV as a pure electric vehicle for 35 miles until the petrol engine kicks in - and it'll get up to 85mph in this setting.

The size of this SUV helps to make it graceful and stress-free to operate. It's not a goliath, and it's not tiny either - it really does feel in its comfort zone on British roads. The steering gives the same feeling of confi...