• Small boot for the size of car
• Split tailgate is useful for long loads
• Rear seats don’t fold flat or slide

Although the 360-litre boot is a decent size, it actually carries less than a Focus and is much smaller than other 4x4s like the Honda CR-V. The split tailgate is handy though – the glass can be opened rather than the whole boot, which is ideal if you only have a small bag of shopping to drop in. What is a surprise is that the Kuga doesn’t feature any clever seat folding system like the S-MAX or Galaxy people carriers.

Instead the seats only fold down – and you have to flip up the bases first to get a flat floor. On the plus side rear passengers can plug-in gadgets or recharge mobile phones using the conventional three-pin power socket between the front seats – an excellent feature.

There are hidey holes in the front for keeping belongings safe, including a fair-sized glovebox and a deep compartment in the centre-console but the absence of rear cubbies for the kids’ stuff is disappointing.

Ford Kuga Mk1 safety

• Secure, confident handling means 4x4 Kuga is inherently safe
• Crash performance is reassuring for the age of car
• Reasonable levels of safety kit

The Ford Kuga safety score was excellent in official Euro NCAP crash tests at the time, with maximum stars for adult and child occupant safety and a high score – three stars out of four – for pedestrian protection.

Safety equipment includes six airbags, ABS, traction control, ESP with anti-rollover control and electronic brake assist. The Kuga is also fitted with an alarm as standard, which can cause problems with the electrical system as it gets older.