• Diesel engine means good economy
• But expensive fuel and ULEZ charges
• Choose on condition rather than horsepower

The Kuga is easy on fuel, though that fuel is inevitably going to be diesel. Relatively low CO2 banding means it’s cheaper to tax than most similar sized alternatives as well. It’s held its value well too, though the repair costs are reflected by many older, expensive Kugas having recent work mentioned in the sales pitch. You save a couple of mpg and a few grams of CO2 choosing the front-wheel drive model over the 4×4.

The 2.5-litre petrol Kuga is reliable, but expensive to tax and expensive on fuel as well thanks to sub-30mpg economy. Beware bodged-in LPG conversions – this is a future classic, and originality is worth preserving.

Ford Kuga reliability and maintenance

• Easy to maintain
• Yet many owners didn’t bother
• A good second hand Kuga needs proactive maintenance

Anyone selling a used Ford Kuga should be aware of the rivals’ reputation – with the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan all highly regarded. Kuga ownership is straightforward if you opt for more frequent servicing, taking advantage of lower parts prices and independent mechanics’ familiarity with the Focus and Mondeo.

The robust diesel engine generally gives trouble if it’s been neglected, but the electrical system can cost a lot of money to have repaired by a garage. 4×4 systems should be given regular maintenance and most are neglected, so budget for a Haldex fluid and filter change on purchase of a used Kuga.