The last Ford I owned was a Capri back when I was a student in 1989 or so, since then the general blandness of the Ford design hasn't tempted me at all (even though they have had great reviews generally across the range for their driving ability and fit/finish in recent years). I've run a variety of new VW's, Subaru's, Mitsubishi's, a Honda, Kia and even a Porsche since the Capri.
I've not got my Kuga yet (ordered it Tuesday) but have been looking at the rest of the competition in the sector over the last couple of months. Main contenders for me initially were the Tiguan, Freelander 2, CR-V, X3, RAV 4 and the X-Trail. Added to that the Renault Koleos and most recently the Kuga.
Test drove the lot except the RAV 4 (hated that as soon as I sat in it, far too dated) and the X3 (after sitting in and driving the Kuga I didn't feel the need to drive the X3, couldn't justify to myself the additional cost of a new X3 and when I've been in friends X3's I've not loved the ride or the interior quality).
Clearly I'm pro Kuga having just ordered it, just seems to me to be a completely new generation compared t all the others I checked out with perhaps the exception of the Tiguan (which was nice inside and drove well with one exception - the gear change was like stirring a bowl of pudding, not for me at all) and although I thought the VW was a good car I couldn't get on with the rather bland looks, no matter how many times I see one I just see a big Golf and too me that's a little boring and not what I want.
The Freelander was perhaps the best of the bunch but it didn't tick enough boxes for me to justify the extra cost (once you spec it up similar to the Kuga), and to be honest I'm only loving the well specc'ed Freelanders and they have to have a bit of kit on the outside too for me to see anything desirable about them. If I was going to want it for more off-road work than M6 motorway it perhaps would have ended up being a Freelander order, but as it is I will do a little towing in grass/mud every now and again so hopefully the Kuga will be up to the job.
Hopefully my enthusiasm isn't missed place, time will tell
Happy car hunting.
Edited by: rich_y2