Home › Ford › Ford Kuga 2019

Ford Kuga 2019 review

SUV Petrol

Ford Kuga 2019 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The 2019 Ford Kuga is the final model year of the second-generation (Mk2) Kuga, the family SUV Ford built from 2013 to 2019 before the sleeker Mk3 arrived. Because 2019 cars were sold alongside a wave of discounted run-out "Edition" trims — Zetec Edition, Titanium Edition and ST-Line Edition — they represent some of the best-value used Kugas on the market today, with typical advertised prices between £10,700 and £15,700.

The 2019 UK engine line-up covered both fuels: 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrols in 120, 150 and 176PS (auto) forms, a 1.5 TDCi 120 diesel and a 2.0 TDCi in 150 and 180PS outputs, the latter available with four-wheel drive and a 2,100kg braked towing limit. All versions are Euro 6, so even the diesels are ULEZ-compliant in London. Petrols manage around 35–40mpg official, diesels 43–55mpg, though real-world figures sit a few mpg lower.

Trim choice is wide. Zetec opened the range with 17-inch alloys and Ford's heated Quickclear windscreen, Titanium added half-leather and dual-zone climate, ST-Line brought sports suspension and body styling, and the Vignale flagship offered quilted leather and a panoramic roof. The run-out Edition trims bundled popular options into discounted packages, so they are worth seeking out on the used market.

As a used buy the Kuga's strengths are comfort, strong motorway manners and genuine practicality — owners ranked it fourth overall in the Auto Express Driver Power survey. The headline used-buyer warning concerns diesel DPF and EGR soot build-up on cars used only for short trips, and the 2.0 TDCi's cambelt needs changing at 120,000 miles or ten years. Petrol buyers simply face thirstier running costs: around 29–36mpg WLTP on the 1.5 EcoBoost.

UK price from: £21,100

Specifications

Engine	1.5L EcoBoost turbo petrol (120 / 150 / 176 PS); 1.5 / 2.0 TDCi diesel
Power	150 PS (1.5 EcoBoost 150); up to 180 PS (2.0 TDCi 180)
0-62 mph	9.7 seconds (1.5 EcoBoost 150); 9.2 seconds (2.0 TDCi 180)
Top speed	121 mph (1.5 EcoBoost 150); 126 mph (2.0 TDCi 180)
Transmission	6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic / PowerShift
Drive	Front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive (2.0 TDCi 180)
Fuel economy	39.2 mpg combined (1.5 EcoBoost 150); 46.3 mpg (2.0 TDCi 180)
CO2 emissions	164 g/km (1.5 EcoBoost 150); 161 g/km (2.0 TDCi 180)
Boot space	456 litres (1,653 litres seats folded)
Kerb weight	1,504 kg (1.5 EcoBoost Zetec) to 1,716 kg (2.0 TDCi AWD)
Insurance group	20E (1.5 EcoBoost 150); 27E (2.0 TDCi 180)
Warranty	3 years / 60,000 miles (Ford UK)
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2012 test)

Features

1.5-litre EcoBoost petrols (120, 150 and 176PS) plus 1.5/2.0 TDCi diesels (120-180PS)
2.0 TDCi 180 with four-wheel drive and 2,100kg braked towing limit
Ford SYNC 3 infotainment with 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Quickclear heated front windscreen — standard from Zetec
Driver's Assistance Pack: adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition and blind-spot monitoring
Hands-free powered tailgate on Titanium X and ST-Line X trims
456-litre boot expanding to 1,653 litres with the seats folded
Five-star Euro NCAP rating; every 2019 engine is Euro 6 and ULEZ-compliant

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (fitted, one axle)	£164.95	National-chain fixed-price schedule, parts + labour + VAT
Front brake pads + discs (fitted, one axle)	£279.95	National-chain fixed-price schedule, parts + labour + VAT
Rear brake pads (fitted, one axle)	£159.95	National-chain fixed-price schedule, parts + labour + VAT
12V battery (AGM, stop-start)	£130	Typical fitted price range £130–£250
Cambelt + water pump kit (2.0 TDCi)	£450	Typical independent-garage price £300–£600; due at 120,000 miles / 10 years
Rear brake pads + discs (fitted, one axle)	£274.95	National-chain fixed-price schedule, parts + labour + VAT

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Comfortable, car-like drive with excellent motorway manners
Strong 2.0 TDCi diesel with best-in-class towing ability
Well equipped even in mid trims, and run-out Edition cars are bargains
Excellent used value: 2019 cars from around £10,700 advertised
Euro 6 diesels are ULEZ-compliant, rare peace of mind for a used SUV

Cons

456-litre boot trails the VW Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq for space
Cabin feels dated with hard plastics and a small SYNC screen
Diesel DPF and EGR soot issues on short-trip urban use
Petrols are thirsty — expect around 30mpg real-world on the 1.5 EcoBoost

Frequently asked questions

Is a 2019 Ford Kuga diesel ULEZ-compliant?

Yes. Every 2019 Mk2 Kuga, including the 1.5 and 2.0 TDCi diesels, is Euro 6, and UK listings explicitly flag them as ULEZ-compliant for London and other clean-air zones.

Which engine is best on a used 2019 Kuga?

For low running costs, UK used guides point to the 1.5 EcoBoost 150 Zetec; for long journeys and towing, the 2.0 TDCi 180. Avoid the diesel only if you do mostly short trips, as the DPF needs regular longer runs to regenerate.

Does the 2.0 TDCi have a cambelt or chain, and when is it due?

The 2.0 TDCi is belt-driven: dealer technical data gives a 120,000-mile or 10-year interval, and it is sensible to have the water pump changed at the same time.

How big is the 2019 Kuga boot?

456 litres with the seats up and 1,653 litres folded. It is about average for the class — UK reviews consistently flag it as smaller than a VW Tiguan or Skoda Kodiaq's boot.

What goes wrong on a used Mk2 Kuga?

DPF and EGR soot issues are the headline concern on diesels: short-trip urban use causes interrupted regenerations, warning lights and limp mode. A diesel with a motorway history is a safer buy than a city-only one. The 1.5 EcoBoost petrols dodge the DPF question but are thirsty, returning roughly 30mpg in real use.