Ford releases 2016 Kuga

Ford Australia has announced its upgraded 2016 Kuga line-up ahead of first deliveries in early December, when prices will increase by up to $500.

Chief among the changes are the addition of a reversing camera as standard across the three-variant range (previously only fitted to the Titanium flagship), plus DAB+ digital radio and a 4.2-inch colour instrument display for the entry-level Ambiente model (previously only on mid-grade Trend and top-shelf Titanium models).

The latter two Kuga models also receive Ford's SYNC2 infotainment system with 8.0-inch colour touch-screen (up from 5.0-inch in Titanium), but the base Ambiente retains SYNC1 with a 4.2-inch centre display, which replaces the outgoing car’s blue dot-matrix screen.

In other equipment upgrades, Trend model's score the Titanium's satellite-navigation and both the Trend and Titanium score Traffic Monitoring, WiFi hotspot, Enhanced Voice Control and two USB ports.

All 2016 Kuga variants also benefit from redesigned air vents and the panoramic sunroof standard in the Kuga can now be opened via the key fob.

Ford says these features are in addition to the 10 available technologies not available on Toyota's RAV4 – Australia's second most popular mid-size SUV behind the Mazda CX-5 -- including Auto Start-Stop, Active City Stop, Emergency Assistance, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, Wi-Fi hotspot, Active Grille Shutter, Capless Refueling System, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Hand-free Power Tailgate (standard on Titanium and a $1200 option on Trend).

Kuga pricing increases by $500 for all Ambiente models and now opens at $27,990 plus on-road costs for the base front-wheel drive manual, with Trend variants up by $400 and Titaniums up $200 – to $47,190 plus ORCs for the diesel auto flagship.

There are no changes to Kuga engines, including the base Ambiente six-speed manual's 110kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, which compares favourably to its chief 2.0-litre FWD entry-level rivals including the CX-5, which opens at $27,190 plus ORCs, and the RAV4, pricing continues to start at $27,490 plus ORCs.

Ambiente all-wheel drive and (six-speed) automatic models continue to offer 134kW, while Trend and Titanium EcoBoost models stick with a 178kW/345Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, and Trend and Titanium diesels still come with a 132kW/400Nm 2.0-litre oiler and six-speed dual-clutch auto.

Shadow Black exterior paint replaces Panther Black and a new Green Instinct premium mica hue replaces Ginger Ale, while other colours include Magnetic, Frozen White, Deep Impact Blue, Ruby Red, Tiger Eye, Moondust Silver and Race Red.

First launched in Australia in April 2013, Ford's second-generation Kuga has found 3800 customers Down Under to October this year, accounting for 3.7 per cent of its sales segment – less than the CX-5, RAV4, Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Jeep Cherokee and Holden Captiva 5.

2016 Ford Kuga pricing (plus ORCs):
Ambiente FWD manual -- $27,990 (+$500)
Ambiente FWD auto -- $29,490 (+$500)
Ambiente AWD auto -- $31,990 (+$500)
Trend EcoBoost auto -- $36,890 (+$400)
Trend Diesel auto -- $38,890 (+$400)
Titanium EcoBoost auto -- $45,190 (+$200)
Titanium Diesel auto -- $47,190 (+$200)