2013 Ford Kuga 1.6T

[starblazer]

don't know why this SUV is not popular in Singapore,

actually it's the best selling suv in China, even if China model is China itself one, named "翼虎

performance wise it's much powerful than Qashqai, Outlander, X-Trail, Vezel, and AWD,

price wise 141k cheaper than X-Trail 145k ans same as outlander, also 7 airbags with Traction control,

1.6L saving much road tax than 2.0L X-trail and 2.4L outlander

agree that Kuga is good, roomy, boot spacious, yet compact and powerful at low rev. Drove the AWD turbo version during vacations and the ride is fantastic, very responsive.

 

Qashqai would be perfect if it has Kuga dimensions.

[Pocus]

The current Kuga now comes with a 1.5 ecoboost engine, same power output as the 1.6.

 

At the current price (lower than listed in sgcarmart) it's one of the cheapest with all the equipments.

 

Only thing I fear is the no. Of Kugas on the road.

 

It's too rare, if you hit problem it's only you and RM. I wonder how many workshops know how to troubleshoot this car. This will hurt resale too.

 

What's your guy's take on this?

[Spring]

The current Kuga now comes with a 1.5 ecoboost engine, same power output as the 1.6.

 

At the current price (lower than listed in sgcarmart) it's one of the cheapest with all the equipments.

 

Only thing I fear is the no. Of Kugas on the road.

 

It's too rare, if you hit problem it's only you and RM. I wonder how many workshops know how to troubleshoot this car. This will hurt resale too.

 

What's your guy's take on this?

Though I've not tried it yet, I think it's a good car being sold at a fair price. Spacious, good equipment level and rugged looks at $140k(as advertised but not sure of the T & C) can't ask for more. Just worried the 1.5l ecoboost engine might not be enough to pull this car though?

[Piyopico]

The current Kuga now comes with a 1.5 ecoboost engine, same power output as the 1.6.

 

At the current price (lower than listed in sgcarmart) it's one of the cheapest with all the equipments.

 

Only thing I fear is the no. Of Kugas on the road.

 

It's too rare, if you hit problem it's only you and RM. I wonder how many workshops know how to troubleshoot this car. This will hurt resale too.

 

What's your guy's take on this?

Ford and Resale.

 

They just dun go together. It's been like that for decades.

[Mkl22]

The current Kuga now comes with a 1.5 ecoboost engine, same power output as the 1.6.

 

At the current price (lower than listed in sgcarmart) it's one of the cheapest with all the equipments.

 

Only thing I fear is the no. Of Kugas on the road.

 

It's too rare, if you hit problem it's only you and RM. I wonder how many workshops know how to troubleshoot this car. This will hurt resale too.

 

What's your guy's take on this?

 

unique mah.. you have what the others do not.

[Pocus]

Ford and Resale.

 

They just dun go together. It's been like that for decades.

Actually not really care much on resale. More on being solitude. I really love the car but hate having no support, owner's advise or 2nd opinion if shit happens.

Though I've not tried it yet, I think it's a good car being sold at a fair price. Spacious, good equipment level and rugged looks at $140k(as advertised but not sure of the T & C) can't ask for more. Just worried the 1.5l ecoboost engine might not be enough to pull this car though?

You will be surprise the 1.5 handled the chassis pretty well. The High torque is competent enough to match the weight.

[Piyopico]

Actually not really care much on resale. More on being solitude. I really love the car but hate having no support, owner's advise or 2nd opinion if shit happens.

 

You will be surprise the 1.5 handled the chassis pretty well. The High torque is competent enough to match the weight.

With cars being such a big investment here, support or the lack of is a real dampener. It's a risk. I would risk it on performance cars, second car etc but not for daily b&b rides. I cannot afford cars sitting in the garage such is my reliance.

[Mkl22]

With cars being such a big investment here, support or the lack of is a real dampener. It's a risk. I would risk it on performance cars, second car etc but not for daily b&b rides. I cannot afford cars sitting in the garage such is my reliance.

 

same for me. only if its a 2nd car. you can probably let it sit around a little longer to get things fixed. given the quality of things these days, everything will break and spoil for sure. what more a car with so many components.

 

when i was single and younger.. sure i can run around to workshops to fix and mod. Now with a family, where got time?. and even its a 2nd car you still need to bring it in to fix and pick up right? I'm not rich enough or willing to pay for home pick up or even richer to have driver send it in and pick up for me.

[Pocus]

You guys have a point.

 

What about comparing other SUV, say...a Forrester XT?

 

I was under the idea Subaru has a bigger fanbase and more workshops can deal with Subaru. So you got abundant support even if the AD fails you.

 

But also heard Subaru engines are high maintenance. True?

Edited June 29, 2015 by Pocus

[7hm]

You guys have a point.

 

What about comparing other SUV, say...a Forrester XT?

 

I was under the idea Subaru has a bigger fanbase and more workshops can deal with Subaru. So you got abundant support even if the AD fails you.

 

But also heard Subaru engines are high maintenance. True?

 

Probably true. Boxer engines are limited to only Subaru and Porsche mostly. And Subaru engines typically run under stricter conditions, in fact I think they require minimum 98 RON too.

 

Subaru cars have also faded from the market in recent years, so there is also probably an accordingly smaller amount of support.

[Deranged]

You guys have a point.

 

What about comparing other SUV, say...a Forrester XT?

 

I was under the idea Subaru has a bigger fanbase and more workshops can deal with Subaru. So you got abundant support even if the AD fails you.

 

But also heard Subaru engines are high maintenance. True?

 

Are there really a lot of workshops that are capable of supporting Subie engines? I was previously under the impression that parts are really expensive as M.I. controls the market on that. Definitely very high maintenance (comparable to contis), esp if u drive a performance model like WRX.

 

 

Probably true. Boxer engines are limited to only Subaru and Porsche mostly. And Subaru engines typically run under stricter conditions, in fact I think they require minimum 98 RON too.

 

Subaru cars have also faded from the market in recent years, so there is also probably an accordingly smaller amount of support.

 

I had a Forester previously (registered 09) that accepted as a min. RON 95, however, the performance aspect (imo) wasn't as good as 98.

But seriously, I like both rides. If u compare both currently:

The forester XT's 240 bhp (on paper) look really impressive. However 1 trait which really irked me previously for my 09 Subie was that it had the auto leveling suspensions which were really soft. These had to be swopped to some after market ones which were firmer. Not sure if the same issue exists.

 

The handling on the Kuga is much better & rd tax is cheaper too. I suppose it's may be more efficient than the Subie's turbo given that it's only 1.5 however, it's quite pricey as new & like some bros have said, 2nd hand is probably the best option.

[Pocus]

 

Are there really a lot of workshops that are capable of supporting Subie engines? I was previously under the impression that parts are really expensive as M.I. controls the market on that. Definitely very high maintenance (comparable to contis), esp if u drive a performance model like WRX.

 

 

I had a Forester previously (registered 09) that accepted as a min. RON 95, however, the performance aspect (imo) wasn't as good as 98.

But seriously, I like both rides. If u compare both currently:

The forester XT's 240 bhp (on paper) look really impressive. However 1 trait which really irked me previously for my 09 Subie was that it had the auto leveling suspensions which were really soft. These had to be swopped to some after market ones which were firmer. Not sure if the same issue exists.

 

The handling on the Kuga is much better & rd tax is cheaper too. I suppose it's may be more efficient than the Subie's turbo given that it's only 1.5 however, it's quite pricey as new & like some bros have said, 2nd hand is probably the best option.

That's why I'm only under the impression and not stating a fact. Thanks for sharing and debunking my thoughts. So MI still control the market as tightly as before? But at least I can name a workshop that does Subaru (BMS). Ford? Hmmmm....

 

You seemed to be owning a Kuga too? If yes HURRAY! Finally found an owner. I got so much to ask. You mentioned the handling is better than the Forrester, my test drive on the Kuga is pretty lukewarm in handling, not sure if it's due to SUV handling or I'm too used to my compact hatch.

 

If Forrester is worst, I'll be really surprised!

Edited June 29, 2015 by Pocus

[Deranged]

That's why I'm only under the impression and not stating a fact. Thanks for sharing and debunking my thoughts. So MI still control the market as tightly as before? But at least I can name a workshop that does Subaru (BMS). Ford? Hmmmm....

 

You seemed to be owning a Kuga too? If yes HURRAY! Finally found an owner. I got so much to ask. You mentioned the handling is better than the Forrester, my test drive on the Kuga is pretty lukewarm in handling, not sure if it's due to SUV handling or I'm too used to my compact hatch.

 

If Forrester is worst, I'll be really surprised!

 

Sorry bro, but I don't own a Kuga bro but I've tested it & I'm currently driving a Ford too. I have shortlisted both the Kuga & the Forester XT as my ride's dying soon (likely next yr). There are a couple of after market workshops that does Ford too (but not many when compared to your Nissans, Toyotas etc). I don't want to list any names but I'm sure u can find it if you google "Ford specialist workshops Singapore". Ford also runs a QuickLane which is cheaper than Regent but still more expensive than other Ford workshops cos they have to use genuine Ford parts.

 

The handling could be due to it being a SUV as compared to your hot hatch!

My advice bro: go try both, see which you like better & more likely to keep long term!

[Pocus]

 

Sorry bro, but I don't own a Kuga bro but I've tested it & I'm currently driving a Ford too. I have shortlisted both the Kuga & the Forester XT as my ride's dying soon (likely next yr). There are a couple of after market workshops that does Ford too (but not many when compared to your Nissans, Toyotas etc). I don't want to list any names but I'm sure u can find it if you google "Ford specialist workshops Singapore". Ford also runs a QuickLane which is cheaper than Regent but still more expensive than other Ford workshops cos they have to use genuine Ford parts.

 

The handling could be due to it being a SUV as compared to your hot hatch!

My advice bro: go try both, see which you like better & more likely to keep long term!

Thanks for the insight, I always tot quicklane is still part of regent.

 

Looks like not all hope is lost with the Kuga.

 

 

Like you, I shortlisted this 2 cars but I still have time to consider as my car also expires next year.

 

Have you testdrove the XT? I might do this weekend.

Edited June 29, 2015 by Pocus

[Deranged]

Thanks for the insight, I always tot quicklane is still part of regent.

 

Looks like not all hope is lost with the Kuga.

 

 

Like you, I shortlisted this 2 cars but I still have time to consider as my car also expires next year.

 

Have you testdrove the XT? I might do this weekend.

 

You are right bro, Quicklane is part of Regent.

Haven't test drove the XT yet but may do so soon. My choice for the Kuga lies primarily because I like the design + was also considering the savings for the rd tax. For the Kuga 1.5 which is a new release, I expect a yearly rd tax of 500 - 600. XT, maybe double of that.

 

I also heard from the SE of Ford that they still have existing stock of the 1.6 Kuga. On paper, both produce 180bhp so if they are still clearing the 1.6 come this time next year, I may go for that instead with the hopes that it cost save me some $$. I have also looked @ the trend edition (entry level version) as well (w/o all the bells & whistles of the titanium edition - no sun roof, no directional lights, follow me home lights etc) but with same 180bhp engine.

 

That however, may change if the XT proves to be a more exciting ride & has similar offerings (e.g. free servicing, extended warranty etc). Keep me posted how you find it?

 

Thanks vm in advance!

 

[Spawnstar]

Any comment on their capless fuel system , is the outer door lockable ?

 

Just paranoid about the possibility of things being dropped inside , imagine ppl pouring water inside.........

 

 

 

[Mach23]

Yes lockable of course. It is really convenient at the pump ... No more oily palms unless it's the pump (pun intended) itself !

[7hm]

Any comment on their capless fuel system , is the outer door lockable ?

 

Just paranoid about the possibility of things being dropped inside , imagine ppl pouring water inside.........

 

Outer cover is as with most other cars on market today; can be opened by pressing on it. Not sure if there's a cover release in the interior.

 

The capless fuel lid is specially designed to reject any sort of attempt to open it without a fuel-pump nozzle - the only thing that can push it open is a pump nozzle or the special funnel that is hidden in your rear cargo compartment, as it is mechanically designed to only release when the specific geometry of those items is inserted. (This of course means a tube that is designed to mimic a pump nozzle or the funnel can still open it)

The capless system is tamper resistant to prevent people from opening it, to steal your fuel or add foreign substances. It also provides convenience since you don't have to twist off the fuel cap like other cars.

Or... so they say. Sometimes the capless fuel system doesn't open too...

 

http://owner.ford.com/how-tos/maintenance/fuel-supply-system/easy-fuel-capless-fuel-filler.html