2017 Ford Kuga First Look (European Spec)

Kuga, like the 2017 Escape for U.S., competes in one of the hottest segments on both sides of the pond

Ford has chosen an international mobility conference in Barcelona to show the upgrades to the 2017 Ford Kuga that will go on sale in the second half of the year in Europe.

Ford CEO Mark Fields will show the new crossover Monday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, but we can show you pictures now.

The updated Kuga has a large upper trapezoidal grille and smaller lower grille, as well as new headlamps with LED daytime running lights to give it a face to match the smaller Ford EcoSport that was updated last year and the larger new Ford Edge coming this year.

“The sophisticated redesign has given Kuga a fresh and modern feel,” Joe Bakaj, vice president of product development for Ford of Europe, said in a release.

Engine choices include a new 1.5-liter diesel that replaces the 2.0-liter diesel for the same power but an expected 5 percent improvement in fuel economy and fuel emissions. Buyers can also opt for the 1.5-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine.

In the constant march to keep up with technology, Kuga gets Sync 3, which was designed to be more intuitive and bug-free, for 2017. The crossover adds more parking assist—this time for perpendicular parking. Also enhanced: the collision avoidance system, all-wheel drive, and adaptive front lights, and there is now a hands-free liftgate.

Ford showed Kuga’s U.S. namesake, the 2017 Escape, in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Ford is calling it the fourth-generation Escape even though it is not on a new platform. Escape has two new EcoBoost engines: the turbocharged 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter twin-scroll engine generating 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Both have start-stop systems. The automaker feels the new look inside and out, as well as new engines, warrant calling it a new generation.

While the Escape dates back to 2000, Europe did not get the Kuga until 2008.

Compact crossovers are a hot segment on both sides of the pond, and the Kuga/Escape are big contributors to Ford’s bottom line. In Europe, the utility segment is forecast to increase to 27 percent of total vehicle sales by 2020. To capitalize, Ford has five new or redesigned utility vehicles launching over the next three years.

Last year Ford SUV sales in Europe increased 19 percent to a record 102,000, and Ford expects to surpass 200,000 SUV sales in Europe for the first time in 2016—a growth of more than 30 percent compared with 2015.

“Demand for SUVs is stronger than ever, and Ford is expanding its range to offer everything from rugged models with true go anywhere ability to sporty models designed to suit urban lifestyles,” Bakaj said.

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