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FordKuga Plug-in Hybrid (2020-)

Available new
Medium/Large SUV
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

£34,043Typical price

Test score

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Ford’s third-generation Kuga, launched in 2020, is available with a variety of engine options, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). A 2.5-litre petrol engine is mated to a battery motor to provide power aplenty. But can this large crossover SUV beat plug-in rivals like the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4? Read our full Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid review to find out.

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What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable is the Ford Kuga Plug-in Hybrid (2020 to present)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Model reliability 0-4 years
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Apr 2025Last checked by Which?
Jan 2023First reviewed by Which?
Nov 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

6 Jun 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectiveness of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performance is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Model reliability 0-4 years

How we test model reliability 0-4 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years. A car cannot be a Best Buy if: It's available to buy new and has a 0-4-year model reliability score of two stars or less; or it's only available on the used market and has a 5-9-year model reliability score of two stars or less; or it's only available on the used market and launched less than five years ago and has a 0-4-year model reliability score of two stars of less.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Full hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium/Large SUV
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Available new
New price	£34,043 - £40,546
Fuel type	Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Tested fuel efficiency	72.1mpg
Length	4,629mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,883mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,180mm
Height	1,658mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.4 m
On sale date	17 November 2020
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£19.63

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	2.5 Plugin-Hybrid Vignale CVT
Fuel type	Plug-in-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	2.5-litre (225hp)
Transmission	CVT (Continuously variable transmission)
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	19.63p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£60
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	92
Tested electric-only range (miles)
Official fuel economy: WLTP	256.8 to 282.5
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	12 May 2022
Test programme	2017

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FordKuga Plug-in Hybrid (2020-)

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