SINGAPORE – Fords are no longer American.

Well, considering the vast majority of the cars from the Blue Oval we have been getting here in Singapore are actually from Ford UK (which explains cool stuff like the Focus RS, and, up until now, our Mustang-lessness), that means little.

The point is that Ford’s gone global with its ‘One Ford’ policy, so the Fiesta we tested a few issues ago is also the same little party that you’d get anywhere else Fords are sold. It’s the same case with the Kuga, which we first tested in CB210, and back then it launched with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine much more suited to our economic climate than the previous machine’s 2.5-litre unit.

Now, in line with the One Ford policy, the Kuga receives a new engine – a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder unit, which has almost exactly the same power and torque output as before: 180bhp versus 182bhp, and 240Nm of torque, and made at identical rpm as well.

The new mill, which has an aluminium block, sheds more than 40kg from before (resulting in a lower kerb weight overall, too of course) but despite this, the car actually loses speed on paper, with its 0-100km/h going up to 10.1 seconds from 9.7 seconds previously. Better news is the improvement in efficiency figures, which go from 8.0L/100km and 186g/km to 7.4L/100km and 171g/km.

It’s just as well, since the Kuga feels less quick than its power figures suggest, it’s torquey though not overtly rapid, which suits its more global (read Relaxed American) character.

The interior’s still roomy and comes with plenty of equipment – driven here is the range-topping ‘Titanium’ trim level which comes with everything from a sunroof to Ford’s Sync infotainment system (sans navigation) plus a powered tailgate. Other impressive inclusions to the list are self-parking and adaptive cruise control, although it only works at speeds above 30km/h.

There’s still a surfeit of less-than-premium feeling plastics on the inside – mostly in the areas where your eyes won’t be, typically – but it won’t be an issue for those who aren’t going to go over everything with a magnifying glass.

READ MORE: Ford 
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The good news is that the ‘Ford UK’ genes are still present in the ‘world Kuga’, as this Kuga still handles and rides as well as it always has, being one of the more well-sorted SUVs when it comes to taking care of bumps and quelling body roll.

Ford’s still perhaps the most coherent American car brand. Or global car brand with roots in the USA, anyway. Whether that’s enough, with products like the new Mondeo and updated Kuga, to fight the Japanese, Koreans and Germans face on remains to be seen.

 
Ford Kuga 1.5 Ecoboost

Engine                                     1,498cc, 16V, inline 4, turbocharged
Power                                      182bhp at 5700rpm
Torque                                    240Nm at 1600-5000rpm
Gearbox                                    6-speed automatic
Top Speed                                   225km/h
0-100km/h                                   10.1 seconds                        
Fuel efficiency                               7.4L/100km
CO2                                             171g/km
Price                                            $165,999 with COE
Availability                                    Now

Also Consider: Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4

For more information flip to the CarBuyer Guide