The Ford Kuga, known as the Escape in North America, has been a popular compact crossover SUV since its introduction in 2008. Now, for 2024, the Kuga gets a mid-cycle refresh that brings sharper styling, a techier interior, and potentially some new powertrain options.
Sharper Looks:
The most noticeable change is the exterior design. The 2024 Kuga gets a sleeker and more modern look with a narrower grille, redesigned headlights with an integrated light bar, and a new bumper. The rear also gets updated taillights with a new signature design. Overall, the facelift gives the Kuga a more sophisticated and confident presence on the road.
Tech-Savvy Interior:
Inside, the 2024 Kuga gets a major tech upgrade. The biggest change is the new 13.2-inch touchscreen that replaces the current 8-inch unit. This new infotainment system is based on Ford’s latest SYNC 4 system and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can be customized to display a variety of information.
Powertrain Options:
Ford hasn’t confirmed the powertrain options for the 2024 Kuga facelift yet, but we expect them to be similar to the current model. This means a choice of 1.5-liter EcoBoost petrol engines with 148bhp or 182bhp, a 2.0-liter EcoBoost petrol engine with 253bhp, a 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid with 225bhp, and a 2.5-liter full hybrid with 188bhp. All engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is available depending on the engine and trim level.
2024 Ford Kuga Facelift Rivals and Prices:
The 2024 Ford Kuga facelift will face stiff competition from a number of other popular compact crossovers, including the Volkswagen Tiguan, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Karoq, and Seat Ateca. Prices for the current Kuga start at around £24,000 in the UK and €26,000 in Europe, so we expect the facelifted model to be priced similarly.
Verdict:
The 2024 Ford Kuga facelift is a welcome update to a popular compact crossover SUV. The sharper styling, tech-savvy interior, and potentially new powertrain options make it an even more compelling option for buyers in this segment. We’ll have to wait for Ford to confirm the official specifications and prices, but the 2024 Kuga facelift is shaping up to be a strong contender in the highly competitive compact crossover market.
