So the vignale is our fifth For Kuga. We’ve had two mk1s and two mk2 and the lastest is the face lift 2.5.

All have been the 2ltr diesel with all wheel drive.

Our last Kuga was a titanium x sport, which due to an ending PCP deal we sold. It was very nice but from day two it had an odd creak and knocking sound from the interior somewhere. Our local Ford dealer was wasn’t interested as we didn’t buy it from them and they always seemed to be putting obsticals in our way.

In March we bought a new Tiguan 1.4 150 ps BMT awd dsg. Whilst the build quality was excellent the engine let the car down along with strange change downs on the gear box. So enough was enough and we sold it. Oddly we only lost out on £500 for a six month ownership.

So onto the 11 month old Kuga. I came across the dealer on a certain auction site and travelled some twenty miles to have a look at their stock of Kugas.

Sat on the corner of the plot was a odd brown looking Kuga. I knew it was a vignale from the grill. I was informed the colour was Milano Grigio. The vehicle had been owned by a manager at Ford HQ. It was loaded to the hilt with factory options. A quick visit to the configuration site and new it would have cost a whopping £39,710 ! There’s no way I would have paid that.

I quickly felt at home with the Diesel engine and it felt good to be pack with bags of torque and grunt and the powershift gearbox is so suited to the Diesel engine. Perfect harmony indeed.

During the test drive, whilst alone I, yeah really, I drove on varying road surfaces in various states of repair. There wasn’t one sound of any creak, knock from anywhere, which was very pleasing.

I’m not a great lover of leather, but the seats just hug you and the electric lumber support with heated elements are so cozy. The memory function is a nice touch as it take many weeks to find that just right position. And that leather dash, Why, there is no reason for it.

Whilst the Kuga is loaded with lots of kit, I knock many of them off. I don’t like the lane assist and unlike the Tiguan it won’t correct itself it just vibrates the steering.

The sync3 system is sooo much better than the old sync2. It’s still not as quick to load as the Tiguan but other wise it’s just as good.

The colour has now grown on me and it looks really nice and shiny. Many people have commented of the look of the vignale. It does have extra packs which help it stand out. (App pack, bumper pack)

Remember the new price, (£39,710), well with 13k on the clock it was had for £23995! Wow what a saving.

Mpg wise, well if you buy an SUV, I don’t see how you can moan when your pottering about in a large heavyish vehicle. But 40s about average.

I really like the Kuga, the heated screen, seats and steering wheel cheer you up on a cold start. It’s just a nice drive and with the sure footed intelligent AWD working in the background, it makes you fell safe.

If I could change anything, it would be the weight of the steering. I’d like it to be lighter or at least give you the option to change it like the older models.

And finally one very very big gripe. Is at Ford, they are pretty useless at answering questions. No matter how many emails you send to the customer relations centre, it always a different agent who gets back to you and nothing gets resolved. (Sync3 map updates)