What To Know
- If you’re looking for a midsize SUV with plenty of space, power, and features, the Explorer is a good choice.
- The Explorer is a better choice for families and people who need a lot of space and power.
- The Kuga is a better choice for people who are looking for a more affordable SUV with good fuel economy.
When it comes to choosing a midsize SUV, the Ford Explorer and Kuga are two popular options. Both vehicles offer a spacious interior, plenty of cargo space, and a variety of features. However, there are also some key differences between the two SUVs. In this blog post, we’ll compare the Ford Explorer and Kuga side-by-side to help you decide which one is right for you.
Performance
The Ford Explorer is available with two engine options: a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The Kuga, on the other hand, is only available with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque.
In terms of performance, the Explorer has a clear advantage over the Kuga. The Explorer’s more powerful engines give it better acceleration and towing capacity. The Explorer can tow up to 5,600 pounds, while the Kuga can only tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Fuel Economy
The Ford Explorer’s fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine and 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. The Kuga’s fuel economy is rated at 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway.
The Kuga has a slight edge over the Explorer in terms of fuel economy. However, it’s important to note that the Kuga’s fuel economy ratings are based on the front-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel-drive model gets slightly lower fuel economy ratings.
Interior
The Ford Explorer has a spacious interior with seating for up to seven passengers. The Kuga, on the other hand, has a smaller interior with seating for up to five passengers.
Both SUVs offer a variety of features to keep passengers comfortable and entertained. The Explorer comes standard with a SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Kuga comes standard with a SYNC 3 infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Cargo Space
The Ford Explorer has a cargo capacity of 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row of seats, 43.9 cubic feet behind the second row of seats, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rows of seats folded down. The Kuga has a cargo capacity of 23.5 cubic feet behind the second row of seats and 54.5 cubic feet with the second row of seats folded down.
The Explorer has a clear advantage over the Kuga in terms of cargo space. The Explorer’s larger cargo area makes it a better choice for families and people who need to haul a lot of cargo.
Safety
The Ford Explorer and Kuga both come standard with a variety of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. The Explorer also comes standard with a blind-spot monitoring system and a lane-departure warning system. The Kuga comes standard with a rearview camera and a lane-keeping assist system.
Both SUVs have received good safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Explorer received a five-star overall safety rating, while the Kuga received a four-star overall safety rating.
Price
The Ford Explorer has a starting price of $32,995. The Kuga has a starting price of $24,995.
The Explorer is more expensive than the Kuga, but it also offers more features and capabilities. If you’re looking for a midsize SUV with plenty of space, power, and features, the Explorer is a good choice. If you’re looking for a more affordable SUV with good fuel economy, the Kuga is a good choice.
Which SUV Is Right for You?
The Ford Explorer and Kuga are both great SUVs, but they offer different things to different buyers. The Explorer is a better choice for families and people who need a lot of space and power. The Kuga is a better choice for people who are looking for a more affordable SUV with good fuel economy.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which SUV is right for you is to test drive both of them. This will give you a chance to see which one you’re more comfortable with and which one has the features that are most important to you.
The Verdict
The Ford Explorer and Kuga are both great SUVs, but they offer different things to different buyers. The Explorer is a better choice for families and people who need a lot of space and power. The Kuga is a better choice for people who are looking for a more affordable SUV with good fuel economy.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which SUV is right for you is to test drive both of them. This will give you a chance to see which one you’re more comfortable with and which one has the features that are most important to you.
Popular Questions
Q: Which SUV has better fuel economy, the Ford Explorer or the Kuga?
A: The Kuga has better fuel economy than the Explorer. The Kuga’s fuel economy is rated at 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway, while the Explorer’s fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway.
Q: Which SUV has more cargo space, the Ford Explorer or the Kuga?
A: The Explorer has more cargo space than the Kuga. The Explorer’s cargo capacity is 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row of seats, 43.9 cubic feet behind the second row of seats, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rows of seats folded down. The Kuga’s cargo capacity is 23.5 cubic feet behind the second row of seats and 54.5 cubic feet with the second row of seats folded down.
Q: Which SUV has a higher towing capacity, the Ford Explorer or the Kuga?
A: The Explorer has a higher towing capacity than the Kuga. The Explorer can tow up to 5,600 pounds, while the Kuga can only tow up to 3,500 pounds.