Ford Kuga Titanium X Sport

The Ford Kuga Titanium X Sport is the top-of-the-range trim variant of the brand's SUV. It adds a couple of sought-after luxuries that aren't on offer on the lower Titanium X trim.

The Titanium X Sport probably has every possible luxury you can think of, plus a few more for good measure. So much so that Carbuyer's universal checklist of standard equipment is almost completely devoid of any unchecked boxes. Everything from a panoramic roof to climate control, a reversing camera and DAB radio come as standard. Plus, to mark the Titanium X Sport out, a chunky, colour co-ordinated bodykit is fitted along with massive, star-shaped alloy wheels. All of this equipment does come at a cost, though, as the Titanium X Sport trim can hit a good chunk over £30,000 - enough to nudge the Audi Q3 S line into view.

Two versions of the 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol are available. A 148bhp model is connected to a six-speed manual gearbox, while a 180bhp version has four-wheel-drive and a PowerShift six-speed automatic. The diesels fit better with the Kuga and the 2.0-litre 148bhp version can be had with either two- or four-wheel-drive. The most economical is the 148bhp diesel, in manual and two-wheel-drive format, which is capable of up to 60mpg.

Good points

The sports bodykit is a welcome feature and removes all of the plain black plastic that runs across the bottom of the car in lower specifications. The unique alloy wheels are a bonus too.The car has so much equipment that you won't be left wanting. The interior is a nice place to be too, as soft-touch materials feature in several places and the dashboard is very modern.Kuga models have always been good to drive. Granted it's not as sharp as it used to be, but the Ford Kuga still manages to be better on the road than a Honda CR-V, for example.

Bad points

Since we already think the Kuga Titanium X is bordering on pricey, the Titanium X Sport model is now just expensive outright.There's no seven-seat option, despite rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe offering it as an option.Ford is yet to upgrade the Kuga to the SYNC 2 infotainment system, so the current generation unit is a little fiddly to use. The amount of small buttons and the distant screen mean drivers will have to squint to read them.

What you get

• Alloy wheels
• Folding rear seats
• Panoramic roof
• Electric folding wing mirrors
• Alarm
• Rear parking sensors
• Tyre pressure sensors
• Passenger & Driver airbag
• Front side airbags
• Curtain airbags
• Front fog lights
• Auto climate control
• Full leather seats
• Leather steering wheel
• Height adjustable driver's seat
• Electric driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• Front electric windows
• Single CD player
• AUX stereo input
• DAB Radio
• Cruise control
• Sat nav
• Stop/Start
• Automatic wipers
• Reversing camera
• Sports seats
• Rear electric windows
• Bluetooth

Recommended optional extras

• Hands-free tailgate

Our choice

Because it's the most economical, the 2.0-litre 148bhp diesel with two-wheel-drive is your best bet. The 60mpg can help soften the blow of the purchase price and the four-wheel-drive should only be specified if you really need it.