Plug-in hybrid models are becoming the ‘hit of the season’, since with them you can face the environmental limitations of cities without the fear of running out of autonomy when considering a long-distance trip in an electric car . They bring together the best of both worlds, carburetion and hybridization, although they usually have the problem of significantly increasing their consumption once the battery runs out. But as we will see, with the Ford Kuga PHEV that we have tested, this principle is not fulfilled.
To put some order, first of all it should be noted that this car was the first plug-in hybrid manufactured in Spain. The fourth generation of the Kuga leaves the Ford plant in Almussafes, and specifically this version equipped with a 2.5-litre engine, 225 hp and with the superior Vignale finish, on sale for €42,735 (although the hybrid range plug-in starts at 37,848, and the Kuga model is for sale for about 28,000 euros in its gasoline version and 120 hp).
Our test car mounts a combined 152 hp gasoline engine and combines it with another 132 hp electric motor, which gives a combined power of 224 hp. The battery gives us a range of 56 km in 100% electric mode, so we have the ‘Zero’ environmental label from the DGT, with which we can access the low-emission areas of cities without problems. We can choose the driving mode, so the most common daily routes can be done entirely in electric mode, saving a significant amount of money on gasoline. Of course, it is essential to have a plug, either at work or at home, where you can recharge it at night, as we usually do with a mobile phone.
If instead of driving 100% electric we cede the management to the car’s electronics, it is possible to achieve really good consumption in urban and interurban sections, around 1 l/100 km according to the approved figures, and a little above the liter and a half according to our practical experience.
Our fear was the real consumption on the road, once the battery is exhausted. And we did the test on a 191 km route, between Madrid and El Barco de Ávila, on a section of motorway and national road that included the ascent to Puerto de Villatoro. Quite a challenge from which our Kuga emerged triumphant. Respecting the maximum speeds allowed, the car achieved an average consumption throughout this journey of just 4.5 l/100 km, figures that we were only used to with diesel cars.
For a family car, with a considerable size and a weight that exceeds 1,905 kilos, an acceleration of 9.2 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h, and a top speed of 200 km/h, these are figures very good. It also has a very good behavior, with a firm suspension that in some cases can feel a little hard (especially in very bumpy areas), but that allows a type of driving that, without being sporty, does result fun. In addition to the thermal or electric and hybrid mode, it allows selecting between the types of driving that best suit the terrain or our tastes: Eco, Normal, Sport, Slippery, Snow/Sand. In general, excessive body roll is not noticeable, and the aerodynamics help in the general absence of annoying noises.
Inside, the Kuga is a spacious vehicle. Five adults can travel perfectly, although four is undoubtedly the ideal number. The space of the rear seats stands out, in which we have sliding seats with 15 cm of displacement, which allows us to choose between more space for the trunk (from 411 to 581 liters, expandable to 1,481 if we completely lower the rear seats) or for the legs of the occupants.
As for the equipment, in this ‘top of the range’ Vignale version we absolutely miss nothing. 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic tailgate, Full LED headlights, 12.3” digital dashboard and B audio system
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