2013 Ford Kuga 1.6T

[Burping_boy]

 

Bo Titanium model also, not worth splitting hairs over it...

 

Though imo I prefer the Kuga. More car-like and far better equipped with up-to-date technology and design. However the engine is down 60 horses while consumption is only marginally better and the Kuga isn't quite as offroady as the Forester.

 

Then of course Subaru has a more "proven" reliability...

 

Agree that Titanium has so much more nice features that Trend which really makes you feel like you are losing out a lot if you go with Trend version

 

As for Forester vs Kuga, I don't foresee myself needing that much more horsepower or off road functions, so i settled with Kuga for it's gimmicks and super big sunroof and interior and lower road tax.

 

Reliability-wise, probably no news is good news, but probably Ford has no news because there's just so little of them on the road in Singapore... But i trust Ford should be quite reliable from those Europe car reliability reports

 

COE just closed, and i can't help but to think again, if the show room unit was mine and COE bidding was successful today, i'm so close to getting the car... BUT now it is still so damn far...

Edited August 5, 2015 by Burping_boy

[Deranged]

Was at the showroom mid last week.

The Kuga 1.5T Trend was going for $122K+, Guaranteed COE and with existing stock. (Not all colors)

Saw the Red Titainium Model with the "Sold" sign.

The Focus was also going for below $100K.

 

Dear Bros, just wanted to provide a quick update as I went to do a test drive today.

Only the base 1.5T Trend model is available at 122K though SE mentioned price is subject to revision (given that COE bidding would be over soon). Titanium model (with all the additional bells & whistles) @ an additional 16K on top of 122K (before revised COE) is sold out. Even the previous 1.6T model is sold out as they only brought in a quantity of 40 or so units.

 

They have no idea when the new stock would arrive, even for the new S-Max & Galaxy which I enquired on as well.

 

Anyway, the drive on the base Trend model was good. I'm just holding out as long as I can (with the view of COE dropping further) & would go test the Subie Forester next. What I like about Ford is the lower road tax for 1.5.

 

Next time round, I'll prob take a baby car seat + a booster seat along to see which is more spacious.

Any comments on which is more spacious bros?

 

[7hm]

Next time round, I'll prob take a baby car seat + a booster seat along to see which is more spacious.

Any comments on which is more spacious bros?

 

 

I think both are similar, but Kuga is slightly smaller due to being shorter. The Forester will feel much larger and spacious due to the very large and tall windows, something kids might like.

[Burping_boy]

 

Dear Bros, just wanted to provide a quick update as I went to do a test drive today.

Only the base 1.5T Trend model is available at 122K though SE mentioned price is subject to revision (given that COE bidding would be over soon). Titanium model (with all the additional bells & whistles) @ an additional 16K on top of 122K (before revised COE) is sold out. Even the previous 1.6T model is sold out as they only brought in a quantity of 40 or so units.

 

They have no idea when the new stock would arrive, even for the new S-Max & Galaxy which I enquired on as well.

 

Anyway, the drive on the base Trend model was good. I'm just holding out as long as I can (with the view of COE dropping further) & would go test the Subie Forester next. What I like about Ford is the lower road tax for 1.5.

 

Next time round, I'll prob take a baby car seat + a booster seat along to see which is more spacious.

Any comments on which is more spacious bros?

 

122k?!?! New stock? That's like so much lower than their list price in sgcarmart and showroom at 137999?!

 

And seriously there should have better visibility on stock arrival status, every enquiry is a potential lost sale...

[Deranged]

 

I think both are similar, but Kuga is slightly smaller due to being shorter. The Forester will feel much larger and spacious due to the very large and tall windows, something kids might like.

 

Thanks so much bro, will definitely go check it out. Any idea what the current list price of the XT is given the current upward swing of Cat B COE?

 

And seriously there should have better visibility on stock arrival status, every enquiry is a potential lost sale...

 

True, but they did also mention that even when it arrives, they still have to wait between 2 - 4 mths (sometimes longer) for LTA clearance & approval. So likely once the receive the green light, it could be next year .... I was like omg .... 'roll eyes'

 

[Magfocus]

http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/review.php?AID=899&PN=1

[7hm]

122k?!?! New stock? That's like so much lower than their list price in sgcarmart and showroom at 137999?!

 

And seriously there should have better visibility on stock arrival status, every enquiry is a potential lost sale...

 

Their list prices seem to be a mere formality. However the real price they quote you (e.g. Focus Titanium at 111k) has strings attached as it requires a 5-year in house loan with 2.28%. In effect, for example, Kuga Trend at $122k is effectively $135.9k after interest.

However the list price will be used if you opt for a different loan or buy full-cash.

That said their pricing is extremely competitive if you ask for the real price, considering the amount of features, equipment and general good performance/handling of Fords.

 

Thanks so much bro, will definitely go check it out. Any idea what the current list price of the XT is given the current upward swing of Cat B COE?

 

 

True, but they did also mention that even when it arrives, they still have to wait between 2 - 4 mths (sometimes longer) for LTA clearance & approval. So likely once the receive the green light, it could be next year .... I was like omg .... 'roll eyes'

6 months for new stock... crazy. How to buy cars from them like that... They are going to miss the flood of buyers if they no stock liddat.

Forester XT last round they were selling around $128k for the regular XT or $133k for the styled up Black Edition.

[Deranged]

 

Their list prices seem to be a mere formality. However the real price they quote you (e.g. Focus Titanium at 111k) has strings attached as it requires a 5-year in house loan with 2.28%. In effect, for example, Kuga Trend at $122k is effectively $135.9k after interest.

However the list price will be used if you opt for a different loan or buy full-cash.

That said their pricing is extremely competitive if you ask for the real price, considering the amount of features, equipment and general good performance/handling of Fords.

6 months for new stock... crazy. How to buy cars from them like that... They are going to miss the flood of buyers if they no stock liddat.

Forester XT last round they were selling around $128k for the regular XT or $133k for the styled up Black Edition.

 

Bro, it's the Trend edition that's left & I've certainly no doubt it'll prob sell out too eventually but there's not really much in terms of features. It's literally back to basics (mostly) you still have climate control etc but yeah you definitely get good performance (same engine as Titanium) + handling & also 7 airbags. I also like the one touch fold flat seats.

 

What do you get for the XT Black Edition? Is this the one with daytime running lights? I saw one at my kid's school driven by another dad. Looks good with the vertical LED lights on the black bumper located below the engine grill.

[7hm]

Bro, it's the Trend edition that's left & I've certainly no doubt it'll prob sell out too eventually but there's not really much in terms of features. It's literally back to basics (mostly) you still have climate control etc but yeah you definitely get good performance (same engine as Titanium) + handling & also 7 airbags. I also like the one touch fold flat seats.

 

What do you get for the XT Black Edition? Is this the one with daytime running lights? I saw one at my kid's school driven by another dad. Looks good with the vertical LED lights on the black bumper located below the engine grill.

 

Yep, only Trend. I would want Titanium... without Titanium, won't buy.

Vertical LED in the front bumper? I think those are aftermarket.

 

Any Forester with the big front [ ]s in the bumper are 2013+ XTs. They don't come with LEDs - they are merely cosmetic fake air-intakes.

 

Black Edition Forester XTs come with additional body kit and styling elements from STi, such as rear and front aerodynamics underlips, carbon fibre (faux?) interior trim in place of the usual silver metal-look plastic, factory-installed STi badged alcantara-leather combination sports seats (with alcantara door trim) as well as an STi wrapped gear knob.

The front chrome swath on the grille is also replaced with gloss black.

It's all cosmetic... and aerodynamic, if you insist.

[Burping_boy]

 

I think both are similar, but Kuga is slightly smaller due to being shorter. The Forester will feel much larger and spacious due to the very large and tall windows, something kids might like.

 

When i sat in the Forester i didn't feel it was larger and more spacious, i thought the Kuga cabin felt more spacious though, especially the back middle seat, which i paid special attention to because my whole family of 5 usually goes out together so it needs to be able to accommodate 5 adults.

 

But then again without them side by side i can't be sure.

[Deranged]

 

When i sat in the Forester i didn't feel it was larger and more spacious, i thought the Kuga cabin felt more spacious though, especially the back middle seat, which i paid special attention to because my whole family of 5 usually goes out together so it needs to be able to accommodate 5 adults.

 

But then again without them side by side i can't be sure.

 

Thanks bro, I'll just have to go take a look for myself & do a test drive as well.

[Pocus]

 

When i sat in the Forester i didn't feel it was larger and more spacious, i thought the Kuga cabin felt more spacious though, especially the back middle seat, which i paid special attention to because my whole family of 5 usually goes out together so it needs to be able to accommodate 5 adults.

 

But then again without them side by side i can't be sure.

By spec the Kuga does have a larger cabin space compared with forester, esp the boot. Edited August 6, 2015 by Pocus

[7hm]

Kuga exterior dimension is smaller, but internal dimensions seem slightly bigger.

imo the Forester's large squarish windows do eliminate blindspots mostly and really add a sense of spaciousness.

 

Kuga's rear pillar is fatter than Forester's.

 

But imo I'd prefer Kuga, w

[Lycanthrope]

hopefully their dual clutch gb has improved ..current version is a bit lazy ....

[Burping_boy]

hopefully their dual clutch gb has improved ..current version is a bit lazy ....

 

Lazy as in? not smooth in the changing?

[Burping_boy]

It seems like COE is going upwards, but still no news of stock arrival...

Fingers crossed i get it by year end...

[7hm]

Lazy as in? not smooth in the changing?

 

Ford's Powershift dual-clutch gearbox is usually said to be less about lightning-quick shifting and more about mimicking a conventional torque convertor AT, but it is also usually the subject of complaints about uncomfortable low-speed shifts.

 

At any rate, you should not have to worry because as far as I'm aware current Kuga 1.5 EcoBoosts come with Ford's 6F35 conventional AT rather than the dual-clutch Powershift. The Mondeo is likewise using this 6F35.

[Deranged]

It seems like COE is going upwards, but still no news of stock arrival...

Fingers crossed i get it by year end...

 

Hey bro, just wanted to give an update as I was at the showroom recently. New stocks of the KUGA should be in during Q4, I believe the Titanium edition would also be available. Right now, existing stock of the base Trend model is just down to a handful of units in limited colours. I chanced upon a young family picking up a panther black Kuga when I was there. Lovely ...

 

I've also decided on the KUGA (finally), though the Subie XT was a really strong contender. In the end, I opted for the following (given my priorities):

- smaller road tax

- hopefully smaller petrol bill vs Subie. Since it's 1.5cc vs 2.0cc

- 2nd row is not curved (theatre seating), hence I can fit both a baby car seat + booster seat in it. Only issue is middle seat is still pretty small & I had to really squeeze in between both when I sat in the back.

- turbo kicks in earlier (1600rpm) vs Subie (2400rpm): I didn't get to feel the turbo at all for the Subie during the test driven route (no chance to, due to traffic but acceleration was still very good)

- CEV rebate is neutral for the Kuga.

 

Any other bros picked up their KUGA's recently as well? Care to share what accessories you received?

Thanks in advance!

Edited September 10, 2015 by Deranged