Ford Kuga

penny · 04-06-2010, 09:57 AM

Has anyone heard anything about this car or if it will ever be released in Australia? And I guess more importantly.....if it's any good?

Great looking small SUV.

penny · 04-06-2010, 10:02 AM

http://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2008-kuga/

here's a link to some photos.

**kypez** · 04-06-2010, 10:09 AM

The day Ford Australia announces it, I will have one in diesel. I'm holding out but I dont know if they will ever bring it here!

There have been lots of road tests (5th gear did one). Not very capable off road but will tackle slightly less conducive roads.

Good search it. Plenty of reviews out there.

barra240t · 04-06-2010, 10:22 AM

No hints at all. We are still selling Escape for now.

csv8 · 04-06-2010, 10:48 AM

AGAIN Ford Aus not forward thinking!!! their competitors again get ahead of FORD Aus !!!

penny · 04-06-2010, 11:41 AM

That's such a shame. Had a look and gets some pretty good reviews. I am trying to do the same thing, holding off until Ford Aus gets it's act together and brings something to the table in the small SUV market that's better looking than the Escape. (no offence Escape! I just dont like the look of you). Diesel would be VERY nice

Ghiadude · 04-06-2010, 11:44 AM

Great looking car in a lucrative market....Shame it aint here. The best chance we had was when we were to build the focus( and others ) here. It was not to be.

**kypez** · 04-06-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghiadude

Great looking car in a lucrative market....Shame it aint here. The best chance we had was when we were to build the focus( and others ) here. It was not to be.

The focus will be built in Thailand so I cant see why the Kuga cant be built there as well. With the free trade, it will make it cost effective too.

quimby · 04-06-2010, 02:00 PM

As much as I loved my old Escape, this looks like it would be a good choice to replace it with when I buy a new vehicle in Oct/Nov.

chevypower · 04-06-2010, 03:14 PM

I think the Kuga is smaller than the Escape. The Edge seems to be more of a modern replacement of the Escape. If I was arranging the global Ford lineup, it would include the Kuga and Edge - but no Escape.

jason_85 · 04-06-2010, 05:56 PM

it looks alot like an Hyundai ix35 or is it just me?
http://www2.hyundai.com.au/Cars/ix35...n/default.aspx

FPV8U · 04-06-2010, 06:15 PM

I quite like the Kuga, but i like the VW Tiguan more.

jpd80 · 04-06-2010, 06:25 PM

By accounts, Ford Aus can't access the Kuga until sometime next year,
but by then it will be available with the 2.0 TDCI and the 2.0 Ecoboost.

VW eat your heart out....

penny · 05-06-2010, 05:51 PM

jpd80 that's promising news. lets hope it's out and on Australian roads with those specs next year!

RPO83 · 05-06-2010, 09:24 PM

Looks to be out no later than Q1 2012.

smoo · 05-06-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barra240t

No hints at all. We are still selling Escape for now.

I didn't know they were doing this until I saw a shiney one with new number plates on the other day. It must be in its 11th year now? Pretty shameful, Mazda have moved on, Ford are slow to bring a good Euro product to the market again.
I saw a Kuga the other day which I presume was a used import, it didn't stand out. With the exception of the Focus RS and Mondeo XR5, Ford Europes styling is pretty bland that will age quickly imo.

jpd80 · 05-06-2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPO83

Looks to be out no later than Q1 2012.

I take it you meant, no earlier than Q1, 2012?

Now that Aussie supply of Gen III Focus has been pushed back to mid 2011,
it's possible that Kuga will be delayed until the first face lift to syncronise as
many Ford global products and suppliers as possible.

As compensation, I hope the Asian Escape is given the US Escape's 2.5 and 6-speed auto,
that would at least give dealers and potential buyers something to work with.

penny · 06-06-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

I saw a Kuga the other day which I presume was a used import, it didn't stand out. With the exception of the Focus RS and Mondeo XR5, Ford Europes styling is pretty bland that will age quickly imo.

Rated on looks it's got to be a step up on the Escape (nice in it's day but too outdated now), VW Tiguan (a PERFECT example of bland euro styling), Mitsubishi Outlander (great car but not so impressive to look at) and the Fugly Nissan Dualis (shudder!). I would take the Kuga anyday.

MarkAW · 08-06-2010, 02:35 PM

It would have to be rechristened - Kuga sounds too much like Cougar

JPFS1 · 08-06-2010, 03:08 PM

working on the business case. Exchange it making it hard getting it here at the preferred spec levels.

I'm sure we'll see it though ;)

jpd80 · 08-06-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPFS1

working on the business case. Exchange it making it hard getting it here at the preferred spec levels.

I'm sure we'll see it though ;)

Shame Ford AUS couldn't pick up the contract for RHD Kugas
I'd rather they get that and Thailand can keep the Focus......

MAGPIE · 08-06-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

I saw a Kuga the other day which I presume was a used import, it didn't stand out. With the exception of the Focus RS and Mondeo XR5, Ford Europes styling is pretty bland that will age quickly imo.

I saw a current model Focus RS last week and crikey it looked good, green paint and all, haven't seen a Kuga yet.

quimby · 08-07-2010, 04:41 PM

So no Kuga anytime soon.

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/n...708-101ps.html

jpd80 · 08-07-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quimby

So no Kuga anytime soon.

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/n...708-101ps.html

I suspect that they can't get it here for a reasonable price.