The Ford Kuga is an upcoming compact crossover SUV to be produced by Ford Europe. The car is based on the C1 platform that also underpins the Ford Focus and Ford C-MAX. Both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive will be offered, while only a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine will be available at launch.

The Kuga will go on sale in the first half of 2008, and will be built at Ford's plant in Saarlouis, Germany[1]. In the UK, emphasising the car's premium market aspirations, only high-end Zetec and Titanium specifications will be offered.

On July 20, 2007, a report indicated that Ford executives were considering the prospects of sales in North America. [2] This idea was later scrapped after it was determined the car could not be sold both competitively priced and at a profit in the US due to the current dollar-Euro exchange rate.

2009 Ford Kuga

Ford has unveiled the 2009 Kuga crossover for Europe in 2008 Geneva Auto/Motor Show.

The Kuga borrows most of its styling from the Iosis X Concept that was unveiled in 2006. Ford previewed the final styling of the Kuga with the Kuga Concept at Frankfurt last fall. The Kuga is built off the C-car platform which is also the basis for the European Focus and the Mazda3 and Volvo S40/V50 that we have here in the US. The crossover is powred by a 2.0L Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel that puts out 136hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. That power can be put to the ground either through front wheel or all-wheel-drive.

The Kuga offers seating for five and has underseat storage underneath the second row.