Ford KUGA feedback review thread

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the five Mumsnetters who are reviewing the Ford KUGA over the next month. Each tester and their family will have the car for three weeks and will also be making a video review - look out for these on site soon.

Here are the review questions - don't feel you have to answer them straight away - some of them will make more sense once you've had the car for a week or so. We'd like you to give us your initial thoughts, first impressions - both from you and the rest of the family - and then add feedback at least twice a week for the next three weeks until the car is collected - though please feel free to give more regular updates throughout the extended test drive, and don't feel you have to stick to the questions too rigidly - they are just a guide.

Thanks for volunteering. Safe driving.

Here are the questions -

What were you/your partner's first impressions of the car?
What do the children think of it?
Do the children fit comfortably in it?
How easy is it to fit car seats/ adjust seats etc
What's it like to drive?
Is it a comfortable ride?
What's the boot space like?
Does it have any useful extras - cup holders etc?
How useful did you find the Split Tailgate?
How does it cope with different road conditions eg town, country, motorway
What do your friends/ family think of it?
Has testing this car made you more or less likely to buy a Ford?
Has testing this car changed your perception of Ford cars at all?
What one thing do you like best about it?
What one thing would you change about it?
Please add any other comments and don't forget your video diaries!

Any queries please email [email protected]

Thanks again,

MNHQ

Just marking my place!

Our Kuga will be delivered on Monday and we're all very excited at the prospect!!

Marking my place also. Ours arrives on Monday 14th. Ages away but we are very excited. DD1 did ask what would happen if I crashed it, but I'm hoping not too.
:)

Well, our Kuga has arrived!! A shiny silvery beast of a car only just fitting on my side of the drive.

My first impressions...
It looks like a big car, not in length, more in height and width. On first seeing the interior I was overwhelmed with an array of buttons and it all looked so smart with the 1/2 leather seats and rear windows tinted. The seating position is much higher than my normal car, almost like driving a van. Then there was the push button start of the keyless ignition, it was a little odd not to be turning the ignition on, waiting for the coil to warm before starting up the diesel engine, it was quick and easy to start.

I have a Britax First Class Plus car seat, As DD is not yet 9kg she is still in the rearward facing position. This caused a few problems in the Kuga as the seatbelts were not long enough to go around the seat, so I had to use the britax seatbelt extender to ensure a suitable fit. This is not the first time we have come across this problem, most new cars have shorter seatbelts meaning that we invested in a seatbelt extender at the same time as the car seat to allow Grandparents to use it.

I also like to travel with a mirror to allow me to see DD in rear view mirror,this is fixed around the headrest where the car seat is located. It was very fiddly trying to attach it, but managed to adju

Sorry DD decided to 'Help' me out by pressing send then.

I did have to fiddle to set the mirror up correctly, so that she couldn't fiddle or kick it off.

So after making sure DD was settled we went for a trip out to see her Grandparents a couple of miles away through a mix of rural lanes and A roads.

I shall be back in a bit as breakfast is being demanded

I took delivery of my Kuga this lunch time, and I'm really rather pleased with it. My first impression was one of 'Wow!' - parked next to my usual 'Hunk-o'-Junk it looked blimmin' impressive indeed. It's very aesthetically pleasing and as one of the mum's at school says, it makes me look posh! The finish inside is of a very good standard and the first thing I did was pull back the screens on the panoramic window.

DD is five and a half months old and in the Hunk-o'-Junk, I'm able to turn off the passenger airbag and she sits in the front passenger seat in her rearward facing chair so this was the first time she was in the back of the car with me in the front. I have one of those mirrors kellestar mentions but I've yet to to put it up. DD started yelling when I put her in the back of the car - she was tired and grumpy and doesn't 'do' being strapped into the car seat but the second she looked up and out of the panoramic window, well it was like a magic wand. Hoping that one doesn't wear off ...

It took me a while to work out how to adjust the driver seat but once I did, I had a good old play about with electrics. It's very, very easy to adjust which is very important to us, seeing as there's about 8" different in height between me and DH. I did however have to knock on next door to see if they could help me work out how to put it in reverse

I've yet to find the auxilliary point for my iphone. I do hope there is one as that's been one of the features I've been most looking forward to. The quality of the sound system seems excellent. I studied Music at university and know just the pieces of music to listen to to ascertain its clarity and all that jazz. Stuff like that is very important to me!

Its going to take me a wee while to get used to the heated windscreen I think. I'm shortsighted and even though I wear contact lenses, my eyes automatically want to focus on whats closest and when I'm driving, that the tiny hexagonal/octagonal bits. Still, it's super handy to have so I'll just get over it.

So... so far so good with Kuga. We've had a spin around the neighbourhood and I feel we're getting to know each other nicely enough. She is a terrible flirt though ... You press that accelerator down and crikey, does she want to go ... That however will have to wait 'til Saturday when we're off to the coast, dog and all ...

Ok I have name changed for my review to The Kingfisher.

So the car arrived this morning and we were all very excited.

It was a slightly odd colour kind of looked lilac but apparently is called 'microstone' I think it looks pinky and frankly a bit weird!

Anyhow, its much bigger than I had anticipated and only a bit smaller than our VW Touraeg which is a bit of a beast.

First impressions were positive. We have the Zetec model so no leather but smartly finished inside without too many plasticy fiddly bits. Great DAB radio and ds (8) is very impressed with the push button start and has insisted ( i am sure quite illegally) starting and stopping the engine. There is an ipod/mp3 doc in the arm rest, Bluetooth phone thingy, CD, voice activated commands for climate, temperature, music etc ( again which DS has been 'enjoying')

It does sound quite diesely when you start it up ie a bit like a tractor and certainly in the lower gears initially felt like one... however on straighter faster roads in higher gears felt much better.

My initial impressions are that there is good kit on the car, it feels like a more expensive car than it is and it looks quite nice.

We have got quite a bit of driving to do this weekend and some off-roading so looking forward to putting it through its paces.

DH who it has to be said is a car snob I think is quite reluctantly impressed with it, he even felt it was more impressive than the 2.0 Audi A5 which given that is about £10,000 more than this pretty interesting.

We will be doing a video tomorrow!

I am so jealous! I want a pink one too but have over a week to wait... :)

This fell on the roof of ours today on our day trip out ...

The panoramic roof makes me rather happy!

DD was transfixed :)

wobblyweeble82 - that's stunning! thanks for sharing

Even if the rest of the car was a crumbling wreck, the panoramic window roofy bit would still send me all gooey behind the knees ... I even get a bit narked that I'm having to look at the road ahead and can't gaze upwards like the kiddies in the back!

Oooooh!

Ours is due tomorrow - can't wait now

Wobbly, very jealous ours doesnt have the panoramic roof!

OK
Second Impressions.
We spent a lot of the weekend driving round various roads, generally either a bit of off road, wiggly country lanes, town driving or Main dual carriage, so had lots of opportunity to test different driving styles.

Town : Frankly I found it a bit rubbish, very clunky through the gears with an over sensitive brake so dog kept flying around in the boot. This might have me not being used to the brakes yet but it made for a fairly uncomfortable ride for driver and passengers. Car didn't seem comfortable in third and either went very chuggy and felt like it was about to stall or in second gear like it was going to explode with over revs - so all in all hated it in the town.

Wiggly country lanes: Not withstanding the gear box issue above the country laens were not bad, steering was fairly responsive and if you can get above 30 the gears settle down a bit. 1 annoyance is that there is a little arrow which lights up green when you should move up a gear - all fine if you are driving in straight lines, on flat roads but really irritating if you know you will be slowing down imminently as there is a hill or sharp bend coming up...I am sure this is for fuel economy but even still a pain.

Off Road: we didn't go too far and it certainly wasn't challenging terrain, but it felt very confident, sturdy and capable it had no problems in mud or fields so a big thumbs up!

Dual Carriage-way: It eventually got up to a good speed but was a little slow - its a well-built car and the 2.0 engine I had feels a little underpowered. Having said that I normally drive a 3.0 so that may have been it. The other thing was at fast speeds the engine is very noisy - quite noticeably so. However it comfortably went 70(+) and felt safe and solid. being high up its a nice driving position and there is good visibility.

So there is my roads review.....

Off to get friends opinions this week and will report back.

So we've had a really good play around with it now. DD was having a nap in the car seat so I sat on the drive for a good hour with the manual working out all the different functions.

I love the ipod/usb dock as I can listen to my music or audiobooks. But the DAB radio is excellent and listen to BBC 6 music usually about the house and having it in the car is brill.

We've had some really chilly weather lately and both DH and I are impressed with the heater, it's really efficient and quick at clearing any interior mist and warming up the car.

I've now got the hang of reversing it onto the drive and car parking spaces. It feels like it shouldn't fit but being able to adjust the mirrors easily is a bonus. Though the parking beepy thing really can be a bit annoying but I am glad to be able to turn it off. I was parking it at the picnic area at Chew Valley lake and it was bleeping as there was a duck nearby :) this did make me smile.

I was slightly worried about how high DD's car seat is on the back seat as I am a little short, but my worry was put to rest as it was quite easy to fish her out. It also gives her a better view, usually she spends most of her time in the car seat asleep and when she's not asleep she's grizzling. But she's up enough to see out the side window and the rear window, which means no more whinging. Bonus.

DH drives a citroen berlingo van with a 2l diesel engine. He loves his van very much and he has always gone on and on about having a car version of the berlingo. But it sounds like he likes the Kuga... quite a bit. Things that have swayed him over are the bluetooth to sync his phone, he was really impressed with the quality, how clear the person on the other end and that you don't have to shout to be heard. When receiving a call from the car he wouldn't have known I was driving in the car at the time. the seat adjustment, he is much taller than me and hates my Megane for it's lack of adjustability, with this he can lower the seat, move back far enough and the lumbar support makes a big difference. He also loves the interior, how it smells, the half leather seats, the shiny and matt bits. So we may get him to expand his horizons.

We haven't gone near a motorway yet. But I am impressed with it's handling around our narrow twisty lanes. The Brakes are really good and very handy when I met the farmer and his shiny new John Deere around the back lane. It's also got lots of Oomph and really light on the steering.

DD has now fallen asleep on me and the laptop, so I'll add a bit more later.

Ok, ours only arrived today but I can make a start on some feedback (was going to brave the video camera since I managed to make my hair look half decent but it needs charging so that'll have to wait!)

Can I just mention that I loved being able to track the car on it's journey down to us (I'm easily pleased!!)

What were you/your partner's first impressions of the car? I wasn't all that keen on the colour (ice white) but I think it's growing on me! I've only seen black ones around here so this one is a bit different. I thought it looked big, but it felt even bigger to drive so I've got to get used to the size so that I can try and park reasonably close to my destination! I found the roof blinds very fiddly to open but as we're unlikely to have too many very sunny days that shouldn't be too much of a problem!

What do the children think of it? They're over the moon with it! They like being high up, and love the big glass roof. DS2 finds that his car seat (Maxi Cosi Rodi) seems to slide around (because the seats are leather) when he's just sat on it so that it covers the buckle and he can't fasten himself in which is pita but hopefully we'll find a way around that.

Do the children fit comfortably in it? We've got 2 ds's so they fit in fine. There wouldn't be space for a 3rd person inbetween their car seats.

How easy is it to fit car seats/ adjust seats etc Seems fine apart from the seat slipping around (see above) but they're both in high back boosters so not so fiddly. The drivers seat seems to have lots of electronic adjustments and I quickly found a position that was comfortable. I like the lumbar support, and when the heated seat is on it really feels nice on my old arthritic back!!

What's it like to drive? Lovely so far, but we've not done many miles in it yet. I'm perfectly happy driving it in a straight line, but very dubious about parking it atm due to its size. The parking sensors beep away but I'm struggling to figure out exactly what they're trying to tell me atm
Is it a comfortable ride?

What's the boot space like? Seems pretty generous - we've got a weekend away coming up so that will be the real test!

Does it have any useful extras - cup holders etc? The boys like the tables in the back, I'm loving the heated seats and am positively looking forward to having our first frost of the year to see how the heated windscreen performs! I need to have a bi of time to try to connect my phone into the car

How useful did you find the Split Tailgate? Not at all yet.

How does it cope with different road conditions eg town, country, motorway Only used it in towns so far

What do your friends/ family think of it? First impressions are very favourable!

Did everyone elses's come with a full tank of diesel and a toy for the dc? I was amazed!!!

A box of Duchy Organic Cookies too! Didn't tell DH about those ... And the heated windscreen is ACE. Car defrosted and en route within a minute this morning iwish

I had issues connecting my iPhone - took me a good half hour sonic you're stuck, let me know.

I shall do a proper update at a more reasonable hour once I've convinced my little git cherub to go back to sleep ...

Right then, here's an update on how we're getting on with the Kuga. All in all, I'm really happy with the car. We've did a fair bit of motorway driving on the weekend and both DH and I were pleased with how it handled. Normally I am a motorway phobe. I was involved in a horrible accident a few years ago and since then I am a very nervey driver and even nervier passenger on motorways. However, in the Kuga I felt very, very safe. I found there to be great visibility at all times and it really is a very smooth ride. The wing mirrors seem to have a slightly distorted perspective, presumably to give a wider vision field but they do take a little getting used to. And ah, the sixth gear. DH and I can't decide whether it's marvellous or its akin to Spinal Tap's #11 on the volume... I kind of had to psyche myself up to use it the first time(!) - I'm not sure what I expected to happen but I had to be ready for it! Being a 2l (compared to my piddly 1.4l) I found the overtaking a doddle on the motorway. The car wants to move and I was more than happy to let it. In fact, it'd be very easy to speed in it to be honest. It doesn't feel like its going to take off like my hunk-a-junk.

Town driving is a doddle in it too I find. I love the parking sensors, especially as this car is nigh on twice the size of my usual wheels. It doesn't slightly panic you though when you've parked up and they start beeping frantically if somebody walks behind the car! It is a little brake sensitive as somebody else has mentioned but in all honesty I think its because I'm simply not used to it. And I'd rather have it this way than not have them sensitive enough! I actually like the little green light that flashes at me when I need to shift up a gear. Anything that saves me cash and wear n' tear on the car is more than welcome in my eyes. I'm addicted to having my bottomed warmed too, although I have to remember I've got the kiddies in the back of the car who are shivering away in the cold whilst I get all cosy of derriere. The automatic windscreen wipers please me greatly too. Now I've got my iphone linked up properly I'm very happy with being able to have Spotify on in the car. I also love the voice control, even if Janet (as we've called the voice) sometimes gets it wrong. My yelling 'telephone' resulted in Janet asking how warm I would like it. Still, DS thought it hilarious.

So far, I've yet to find a real use of the split tailgate. It seems a little gimmicky to me and I just find myself opening the boot using the bottom handle as per the norm. In a couple of weeks I might have decreed it as the best thing since sliced bread but as yet I've yet to discover its purpose.

My most favourite thing about the car though is the heated windscreen. We had a very frosty morning on Sunday, and with us all piled in and raring to go, it took less than a minute for the windsreen to clear and for us to be on our way. This is real time-saving stuff and as a busy mum, that is a clear winner with me. Last year, my central locking tripped out and the doors locked with the engine running whilst I was on the outside scraping the window. At least I know I wouldn't get that in the Kuga!

This weekend we're off to see friends who live on a farm to assess it's off-road ability. I'm also taking out my heavily pregnant friend who will truly give the best opinion on how smooth a ride it is! I'm also going to do some night driving so will report back on that. I want to work out if I have underseat storage too, as well as CD changer. Oh the thrills!

Oooh yes, and before I go, DS has one complaint about the car. The cup holder on the table/tray for the passengers in the back of the car is too big. He's right, too. If this is a family car, you've going to more often than not have children in the back. Now, not many parents I know would give their child a cup in the car - they'd give them a bottle of water/pop/juice/whatever. And the bottles just slip right through, rendering the cup holder useless! Clever, my boy!

Will update again on the weekend :)

P.s. If anybody has filled up, do report back

Filled up with fuel, that is. Not tears at my emotive review ...

is it actually 4 x 4 and would it actually be any good in the snow, or is it just designed to look like one?

It is a 4x4 and is pretty good off road, I spoke to a chap in ford showroom who had an off road day in it and said it was amazing...I wasn't looking to buy one we were just chatting about it as I was in it (whilst looking at fiesta,s!)

I managed to commect up my phone last night and what I thought was gimmicky was GREAT! Ds and I phoned up everyone we knew....I am sure the novelty will wear off.

I'm loving talking to the lady and getting her to do random things that I don't really need doing!! A nice manly voice would be a good touch though - is there a voice type option?

Does anyone have a CD multichanger thing It says in the manual that it would be under the front passenger seat, and it looks like there's numbers on the radio display for several discs, but I can't find anything when I've had a fumble! Would it be very obvious?

I'm a huge fan of the heated seats - love, love, love that it goes up my back too!!

I'm feeling very lazy when I'm driving atm! Just push a button and it's on. No need to worry about lights, or wipers - the car just makes its own mind up whether they're needed or not!!

I've been looking for the CD multichanger thing too Iwish. To no avail either. I think we have a titanium model so would imagine it to be there but it isnot under the passenger seat for sure. Hmmmmm.

And re Janet 'The Voice'. I've decided she has slight issue with my Northerness. When I'm yelling for Track 4, she gives me Track 11. When I want CD Player, she tells me that I can't enter Play-mode. And when I ask her to demist me, she does very so very well. But when I ask her to stop, the fans are that bloody loud she can't hear me and tells me her directory is empty ... Yes, we're not seeing eye to eye today...

Not sure if I posted this before?

Would anyone on here like a tens machine:
m.boots.com/mt/www.boots.com/en/Boots-Maternity-TENS_21164/. New pads can be purchased cheaply from boots.

Also have Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. Found it really helpful to read some positive birth stories in the lead up.

Still unpacking at the moment as just moved house. Would be able to post within next two weeks though

I-phone! Obviously didn't mean to post this here

Quick question:

Does the airbag tag on the side of the front seats mean there's airbags protecting the back seat passengers? If so, does this affect my using a rearward facing car seat for DD?

I don't know Wobbly - what does your user manual say?