• 2.0-litre diesel for the majority of models
• Fast 200hp 2.5-litre turbo a rare find
• Four-wheel drive is optional

Most buyers opted for the 2.0-litre diesel and six-speed manual gearbox. The 138hp unit can be refined if it has been maintained well. It can be found with either two or four-wheel drive, and the all-wheel drive Kuga doesn’t pay a big penalty in performance or economy.

The 163hp diesel feels rather quicker, and is worth seeking out if you’re shopping at the higher end of the price range. Automatic diesels use Ford’s PowerShift gearbox, a dual-clutch six-speed with a poor reputation for longevity and failure. It’s best avoided unless it has been looked after more diligently than Ford suggested.

2.5 Turbo Kuga – not quite a Focus ST SUV

The petrol option – there’s only one – is a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder with 200hp. Think of it as a distant cousin of the famous Volvo T5R because essentially, it is. It’s the strongest Ford Kuga in performance terms, but the detuned Focus ST engine still takes 8.2 seconds to reach 62mph, and you’ll struggle to hit the claimed 29mpg despite that rather tame performance.

The standard gearbox is a six-speed manual with a satisfyingly slick shift action, but the five-speed automatic is rather easier to trust than the diesel’s PowerShift option.

Ford Kuga Mk1 handling

• Agile, comfortable SUV
• Precise steering and good body control
• Not set up for serious off-road use even with 4x4

Ford chose to set the Kuga apart by making on-road comfort and agility the priority – and the Kuga is probably the best of this generation of SUVs as a result. It’s based on the excellent Focus and handles just as well with plenty of grip, precise and responsive steering plus minimal body roll, even in tight corners.

Cars with four-wheel drive use an intelligent all-wheel drive system which only sends power to the rear wheels when it senses the front wheel slip, so traction on uneven surfaces and steep gradients is very good.

The ride is very comfortable with supple suspension and although it’s unlikely owners will face off-road challenges too often, the Kuga can tackle mildly tricky terrain when asked.