Ford Kuga to debut in Malaysia sometime mid-year

ford kuga

The first official indicator of its arrival here is out – the Ford Kuga will be making its market debut here in Malaysia sometime at the end of the second quarter, according to the company. The fresh-faced SUV is set to take over from the ageing second-generation Escape in the Blue Oval lineup locally. Over in the US, the Kuga is badged as an Escape.

The Valencia, Spain-built offering will arrive boasting an impressive array of new technologies and enhanced features, including Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. No mention of specification as yet, but it has been indicated that the Kuga destined here will wear a 1.6 litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine, though it hasn’t yet been ascertained if it’ll be a 150 PS or 180 PS version.

The mill will be paired to a six-speed SelectShift auto transmission, which features revised gear ratios and a new torque converter for improved driving feel and smoother shifts. Highlights include a segment-first hands-free tailgate, in which simply sweeping a foot under the rear bumper allows the opening or closing of the rear tailgate automatically.

The five-star rated (both Euro NCAP and ANCAP) Ford Kuga also features Active City Stop, Active Grille Shutters and the Ford SYNC system on its tech list, but exactly just what’s to be found on the Malaysian-bound variant will come about when it gets closer to the launch.

UPDATE: Looks like pre-orders are open as we have sighted a Ford dealer listing the Ford Kuga on oto.my for RM163k, with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • nighttrain on Mar 11, 2013 at 11:49 am

    Good thing I didn’t recommend CRV to anyone yet. Kuga should be in the same price bracket, right?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 69 Thumb down 4
    • koochai on Mar 11, 2013 at 1:40 pm

      ckd alor gajah vs cbu valencia? unlikely in the same price bracket…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
      • Sam Loo on Mar 12, 2013 at 9:04 am

        By time SDAC bring this in, it will be 2015 or 2016. By that time, you are looking for a new model to be launched!. Ford should give the franchise to a more efficient company. Sime Darby is more interested in Plantations and have zero interest in the Motor Industry.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
        • Sam Loo- forever pessimist loser…the car wil arrive third quarter 2013….slurp!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • car ry on Mar 14, 2013 at 4:23 pm

        as regard to mondeo 203PS (2011 model) and accord 2.4, if not mistaken about the same price. mondeo sold at 172k OTR, not sure about accord n camry 2.4 but should be about the same right?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • Mat Global on Mar 11, 2013 at 5:38 pm

      CRV lovers is not going to wait for Ford Kuga, as they feel their favourite Suv is better than Ford in many aspects and looks better.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 16
      • Mat Glocal -CRV better? Just compare the engine specs and interior is enough to convince otherwise? CRV local bikin….

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • green on Mar 11, 2013 at 11:50 am

    have been waiting for Ford EcoSport..

    Really hope to see it’s launching. It will be the new leading budget SUV.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • riswan on Mar 11, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    ohh.. Ford Malaysia..
    get it in also new focus with TDCI engine too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Allen on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      New Focus TDCI is Euro4 compliant, our diesel do not support that.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
      • kambinganas on Mar 11, 2013 at 4:26 pm

        If the frenchies can do it (508 GT), I am sure Ford lagi boleh. It all depends on whether Ford Thailand will do it or not. Based on comments coming from Ford Indo, it seems very unlikely we will see a replacement TDCI focus.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • muazzin on Mar 11, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    I’m waiting very long-long time. Hope the price is affordable than sportage and tucson.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 1
  • Something exciting about this, hope it price competitively around rm 150K with full features and European tuning specs

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ambik kau on Mar 11, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Bring in tdci with powershift! That will be nice …

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Yeah we need more diesel powered SUVs which give good FC plus high torque..e.g. i-dtec for CR-V and tdci for Kuga!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • dewaSemut on Mar 11, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    Handsome SUV! Can’t imagine if government agencies using this… so jealous… haha :P

    If SDAC maintains (as per current Escape) or lower the price, surely it will able lure in some propsective buyers from the CRV camp.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • One of the best looking Ford SUV ever, and one of the last modern Fords not to have that(in my eyes) hideous Gaping Aston Martin grill. But I’am worried about price being not locally (Thailand)made.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • sepul on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    So here it will be called Kuga, then? No more Escape, heheh..

    Still, the design was critized in Europe, particularly in UK. Maybe their taste for design is too overwhelming.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Expatriate VN on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    CRV will beat other flat for sale at Bolehland market for this segment of compact cross SUV/car!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 91
  • Dr Alban on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Damn…cant wait for this SUV..Hopefully Malaysian will still flocking at the CX5 by the time this Kuga arrive …so no long queue…:)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Jinggo on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    This Ford Kuga is true competitor for Honda CRV, Mazda CX5, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Dr Alban on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Honda shall learned from Ford, Hyundai, KIA…on how to make a handsome SUV LOL…:)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 2
  • Dr Alban on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    A 2.0 version called the Titanium in UK cost £25,545. There is also a 1.6L turbocharged version…so just speculate the price in Malaysia soon :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • I was told by SDAC PJ that they are already open for booking and launch in May/June. Starting price RM130k-140k on cheapest model, but no indication of spec.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mortar on Mar 11, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Maybe theyll bring this with Fiesta FL! *cross fingers*

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Ecoboost on Mar 12, 2013 at 7:08 am

    Please bring ford ecosport come in first.
    http://www.india.ford.com/suvs/ecosport

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Seaan on Mar 12, 2013 at 7:43 am

    CBU or CKD?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • gerald on Mar 12, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    waiting the new mondeo, when will it be available? maintain price and upgrade service centers especially up north.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Sharu on Mar 13, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    Good…finally Ford is back on the race in M’sia
    One more SUV to come…2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Aijak on Mar 14, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    This kuga is sempit laaa evrybody….crv besar lagi….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 6
  • it would be lol when the rear door open too fast and hit the person that kick the bumper of the Kuga. It’s like the Kuga try to hit you back after it had been kick/hit in the ass.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Kuga is rated the best SUV.. Beating Lland Rover , Honda Crv and Toyota etc in latest UK road test

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Papiume on Aug 14, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    Don’t forget another competitor like Nissan Xtrail!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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