The best alternatives to the Ford Kuga

The Ford Kuga is fun to drive, well-priced and packed with equipment – no wonder it’s one of the top selling mid-sized SUVs in the UK. Yet no car is perfect, and if you are looking for something a little different, then there’s no shortage of impressive rivals in this burgeoning segment.

To make your selection easier, our experts here at carwow have picked ten of the best alternatives to the popular Ford Kuga. From budget-conscious offerings to sporty and luxurious rides, we have something here for everyone.

carwow’s choice of the best Ford Kuga alternatives are:

1. Volkswagen Tiguan
2. Kia Sportage
3. Mazda CX-5
4. BMW X1
5. Renault Kadjar
6. Nissan Qashqai
7. Hyundai Tucson
8. Toyota RAV4
9. Peugeot 3008
10. Skoda Karoq

1. Volkswagen Tiguan

• Tiguan 1.5 TSI 150 Elegance is a great choice
• Allspace versions can seat 7
• 615 litres of boot space
• 130bhp-320bhp
• Manual and DSG transmissions available
• Available in FWD and AWD

The Volkswagen Tiguan is refined and spacious, with plenty of engine and trim options to pick from. The sheer range of options sees the Tiguan competing against the Skoda Karoq in base trim and rivalling the Volvo XC40 and BMW X1 in its pricier configurations.

The sweet spot is found somewhere in the middle, with the 150hp 1.5-litre TSI petrol Elegance offering a great combination of looks, practicality and performance. If you have money to burn, then the Tiguan R with its 320bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged motor is essentially a more practical Golf R on stilts.

2. Kia Sportage

• Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6T GDi HEV Auto is a great pick
• 591 litres of boot space
• 148bhp-261bhp
• Conventional petrol, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines available
• Manual, automatic and DCT transmissions available
• Available in FWD and AWD

There’s a lot to like about Kia’s recently updated Sportage SUV, it is packed with tech and the cabin is one of the nicest in its class. It’s almost as fun to drive as a Ford Kuga, too, although you pay for this handling ability with a slightly firm ride over uneven surfaces.

Prices are competitive and we would opt for one of the mid-trim models with either the efficient 226bhp self-charging hybrid or the all-wheel drive 261bhp plug-in hybrid.

3. Mazda CX-5

• Mazda CX-5 SE-L 2.0 is arguably the pick of the bunch
• 506 litres of boot space
• 150bhp-184bhp
• Petrol and diesel engines available
• Manual and automatic transmissions available
• Available in FWD and AWD

The Mazda CX-5 has sharp looks, is fun to drive and you don’t get short changed when it comes to equipment levels. The interior is nicely finished and even adults will be comfortable in the second row.

Nothing is perfect though, and in this case the boot isn’t the largest in this class and the ride quality is on the firm side. If that doesn’t bother you then you’ll be pleased to know that both the petrol and diesel engines (available in two power outputs) are smooth and responsive.

4. BMW X1

• BMW X1 xDrive23i xLine Premier will suit most needs
• 505 litres of boot space
• 150bhp-218bhp
• Petrol and diesel engines available, plus all-electric iX1
• Manual and automatic transmissions available
• Available in FWD and AWD

An all-new BMW X1 has just been unveiled, and it looks set to impress with solid build quality, class-leading infotainment and a spacious interior. It has arguably the best judged ride/handling mix in its class, too, with a sporty feel that sets it apart from its rivals.

Tick too many options and you will soon be encroaching into BMW X3 territory price-wise, but stick with a mid-range model and you won’t be disappointed. With just 505-litres of luggage capacity on offer, it can’t quite match more spacious alternatives like the VW Tiguan and Mercedes GLB though.

5. Renault Kadjar

• Renault Kadjar Equilibre TCe140 Auto is the one to get
• 505 litres of boot space
• 140bhp petrol engine
• Manual and automatic transmissions available
• Available in FWD

Not every mid-sized SUV needs to be sporty and exciting to drive, some prefer a more laid-back approach to their daily commute and the Renault Kadjar is happy to oblige. It’s nicely made and rather well-equipped as standard, it will also seat five adults in comfort.

It shares much of its underpinnings with the best-selling Nissan Qashqai, and that’s a good thing. The Kadjar is offered with just one engine option, available with either a manual or automatic transmission, (we’d get the latter) but it copes well around town and can handle the odd motorway journey, too.

6. Nissan Qashqai

• Base Nissan Qashqai Visia Manual 2WD is stunning value
• 503 litres of boot space (436 with BOSE sound system)
• 140bhp-158bhp
• Mild hybrid petrol engine
• Manual and automatic transmissions available
• Available in FWD and AWD

The Nissan Qashqai has been a sales chart topper for years, and the updated new model continues to be the most popular mid-sized SUV in the UK. There’s a lot to like here, such as the impressive build quality, comfortable ride and good standard spec levels.

Base models offer superb value, while the upper trims come packed with some really fancy features. Some rivals are more enjoyable to drive while others have larger boots, but the Qashqai hits the sweet spot when it comes to the demands of the daily grind.

7. Hyundai Tucson

• Hyundai Tucson SE Connect 1.6 TGDi 2WD is capable and affordable
• 620 litres of boot space
• 150bhp-265bhp
• Conventional petrol, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines available
• Manual, automatic and DCT transmissions available
• Available in FWD and AWD

The Hyundai Tucson’s exterior may look like it’s midway through transforming into a giant robot, but underneath those challenging lines is a very capable SUV. The interior is both well-made and way poshed than most rivals, while both passenger and boot space is better than average.

In fact, with 620 litres of luggage space on offer, it is one of the best in class. It’s also available with a broad engine range and plenty of trim levels, but the ride can feel a bit firm around town.

8. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

• Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Icon 2WD is a great choice
• 580 litres of boot space
• 218bhp – 222bhp
• Hybrid petrol engine available
• Manual and automatic transmissions available
• Available in FWD and AWD

The Toyota RAV4 was one of the first small SUVs to come to the market in the mid ‘90s, although back then it was more of a niche lifestyle vehicle instead of the family-friendly mid-sized SUV it is now.

The latest variant has moved with the times and now focuses more on practicality and low running costs than ever before, if you want a sporty drive then the Ford Kuga or BMW X1 are a better bet. If a comfortable ride, decent boot and spacious cabin are what you’re after, then step this way.

9. Peugeot 3008

• Peugeot 3008 Allure Premium 1.6 Hybrid 225 is the sweet spot
• 520 litres of boot space
• 131bhp – 300bhp
• Petrol, hybrid petrol and diesel engines available
• Automatic transmission only
• Available in FWD and AWD

When it comes to visual flair and a cool interior design, the Peugeot 3008 stands out from most rivals. It will also swallow plenty of luggage and the engine range is broad enough to suit just about everyone.

That said, the range-topping 300bhp Hybrid is rather pricey, and there are more spacious alternatives out there if you regularly transport adults in the back.

10. Skoda Karoq

• Skoda Karoq SE L 1.5 TSI DSG
• 521 litres of boot space
• 110bhp – 190bhp
• Petrol, hybrid petrol and diesel engines available
• Manual and automatic (dual-clutch) transmissions available
• Available in FWD and AWD

The Skoda Karoq is all about rationality and practicality, it will slot into the daily grind without fuss, but you will have to forego eye-catching styling cues and a sporty driving feel. Think of it as a slightly smaller and less well-equipped VW Tiguan – the car on which it is based.

It imparts a feeling of great solidity as a result and offers great value if you avoid the top trims. Driving it is relaxing too, with a comfortable ride over most surfaces, although we would skip the base engines as they can struggle on the motorway.

Save money on your next SUV

Found the perfect SUV for your needs? Perhaps it was the Ford Kuga all along, but whichever mid-sized SUV hits all the right buttons, take a look at our latest offers on carwow.

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