American automobile giant Ford Motor Company’s latest iteration of the Kuga Compact crossover SUV for the European markets brings notable updates, including a robust plug-in hybrid variant that outshines the power output of its American counterpart, the Ford Escape. The Ford Kuga has received a mid-cycle refresh, featuring a new “Active” trim that proudly boasts enhanced rugged elements like additional plastic body cladding, silver skid plates, and a Trail drive mode to provide better performance on softer terrains.

The exterior enhancements of the Kuga Active include a modest increase in ride height. To be more specific, the new trim is 0.4 inches higher at the front axle and 0.2 inches at the rear, providing greater ground clearance for adventurous driving. Inside, the PHEV boasts a classy touch with dark wood trim on the dashboard as well as door panels, along with special upholstery on the eighteen-way adjustable seats. The 2024 Kuga for Europe will also be available in Titanium and ST-Line grades, and each of these vehicles feature subtle styling tweaks over their pre-facelifted equals.

The interior of the PHEV has received a technology upgrade with the adoption of the brand’s SYNC 4 infotainment system, showcasing a 13.2-inch touchscreen that comes accompanied by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The center console has been rationalized, disregarding most conventional controls in favor of an engorged display.

The engine lineup has undergone a shift away from diesel options, aligning with altering preferences in Europe. The base version includes a turbocharged 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine with 148 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and powering the front axle of the vehicle. A self-charging hybrid option is available, featuring a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and a powerful electric motor capable of producing a combined 177 horsepower in the FWD version and a slightly higher 180 horsepower in the AWD model.

The standout version in the lineup is the upgraded plug-in hybrid variant that comes equipped with a 2.5-liter engine capable of generating a combined 240 horsepower – 30 horsepower more than the Escape PHEV. It also boasts an additional 18 horsepower as compared with the pre-facelift Kuga PHEV. With an enhanced power-split automatic transmission shared with the Kuga Hybrid AWD, the Kuga PHEV takes just 7.3 seconds to sprint from standstill to 62 mph, which makes it nearly two seconds quicker than before. Additionally, the towing capacity of the PHEV sees an impressive increase of more than 30 per cent to 4,629 pounds, attributed to a 14.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that provides a maximum electric range of 43 miles in the WLTP cycle.