Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Ra Boe, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Compact SUV rated 5 Euro NCAP stars, generally well regarded on the used market, but Car Verif rates it 'GO with conditions' (6.5/10): the EcoBoost cooling circuit (recall of the 1.6 for cylinder head overheating), the particulate filter and injectors of the TDCi, and the PowerShift gearbox, which must be thoroughly tested. Require the complete history.
- Reliability
- 4.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €8,000 – €13,400
- Monthly cost
- €314
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 2.0 TDCi 150.
2.0 TDCi 140
Diesel · Manual · 140 hp · Crit'Air 2
Diesel from the launch range, offered front-wheel drive with manual gearbox according to Fiches-auto. On the 2.0 TDCi 140 hp, the most reported fault in Fiches-auto reviews concerns the injection.
2.0 TDCi 150
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Manual · 150 hp · 4.7 L/100 km · 122 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
2.0 TDCi 150 with 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive: for Car Verif, the most rational compromise, especially in Titanium trim.
2.0 TDCi 180 4x4
Diesel · Automatic · 180 hp · Crit'Air 2
2.0 TDCi 180 hp, necessarily paired with four-wheel drive and the PowerShift dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
1.5 TDCi 120
Diesel · Manual · 120 hp · Crit'Air 2
Entry-level 1.5 TDCi 120 hp, introduced with the 2016 facelift, with 6-speed manual gearbox.
1.6 EcoBoost 182 4x4
Petrol · Automatic · 182 hp · Crit'Air 1
1.6 EcoBoost from the launch range: the 182 hp version required four-wheel drive and the automatic gearbox. Affected by the cylinder head overheating recall.
Market prices
€8,000 – €13,400
Indicative range: 2012 to 2019, yearly medians of 195 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
2.0 TDCi: sensitive particulate filter and injectors
Severity 2/3 · CostlyL'argus reports a loss of power on the TDCi with the particulate filter warning light on, which is resolved by regeneration or even filter replacement, and classifies the 2.0 TDCi among engines to watch (clogged particulate filter, injector sensitivity). Car Verif places the particulate filter and injectors of the TDCi among the points to check first.
- Versions
- 2.0 TDCi 140, 2.0 TDCi 150, 2.0 TDCi 180 4x4
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
PowerShift gearbox: jolts and automatic gearbox failures
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe PowerShift dual-clutch automatic gearbox (2.0 TDCi) has been the subject of owner reports: shuddering or jolts when changing gear, and one case of clutch and flywheel replacement on a 2014 2.0 TDCi. Car Verif requires flawless gearbox operation before purchase. These accounts are testimonies, not a manufacturer campaign.
- Versions
- 2.0 TDCi 180 4x4
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
1.6 EcoBoost: cylinder head overheating and fire risk
Manufacturer recallA lack of coolant can cause localised overheating of the cylinder head, which can crack with an oil leak under pressure and, more rarely, a fire. L'argus identifies 3,537 vehicles affected in France, including the Kuga 2. Ford fits a coolant level sensor with its wiring harness. In South Africa, 4,556 Kuga 1.6 EcoBoost vehicles built between December 2012 and February 2014 were recalled.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.6 EcoBoost 182 4x4
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Ford Kuga”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €127 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €60 |
| Maintenance | €15 |
| Depreciation | €112 |
| Total per month | €314 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: servicing prices only, without tyres or brakes: probably underestimated.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (diesel)€127
2.0 TDCi 150 version: combined consumption of 4.7 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
4.7 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €127
Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€60
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€15
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€112
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Ford Kuga II — inspection checklist
Things to check
- EcoBoost: physically check the coolant level and history, and verify that the cylinder head overheating recall on the 1.6 (level sensor) has been carried out.
- Refuse an EcoBoost that consumes coolant, according to Car Verif.
- TDCi: read the fault codes, check the condition of the particulate filter and injectors (filter warning light, loss of power, rising oil level).
- PowerShift gearbox: do a full test drive, cold and at slow speed in traffic, watching for jolts and shuddering on pull-off.
- Require a complete service book with invoices: Car Verif considers the history decisive.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the cylinder head overheating recall on the 1.6 EcoBoost been carried out at Ford? Do you have proof?
- Have the particulate filter or injectors been replaced, and at what mileage?
- Has the PowerShift gearbox already had any intervention (clutch, software update)?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Nissan Qashqai
II · 2014–2021
- Price
- €9,000 – €18,490
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Kadjar
I · 2015–2022
- Price
- €9,240 – €17,544
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Peugeot 3008
II · 2016–2023
- Price
- €7,980 – €17,294
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota RAV4
V · since 2019
- Price
- €26,700 – €45,300
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Ford Kuga II (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Kuga II reliable?
Caradisiac considers it overall very good, with no recurring serious fault that immobilises the car, and Car Verif rates it 'GO with conditions' (6.5/10). The points to watch are the cooling of the EcoBoost, the particulate filter and injectors of the TDCi, and the PowerShift gearbox.
Which engine should I choose on the used market?
Car Verif favours the 2.0 TDCi 150 with 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, especially in Titanium trim, as the most rational compromise.
What is the boot capacity of the Kuga II?
Fiches-auto gives 455 L; figures vary slightly between sources and measurement methods.
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