Hungary, Here I Come! And So Does the Ford Kuga Ninjutzu, 26/04/202426/04/2024 So, there I was, in the heart of Hungary, Budapest, ready to embark on a grand adventure across the country. I’m handed the keys to what I initially thought was just another crossover SUV: a 2022 Ford Kuga. Now, I’m not one to be easily impressed, but let me tell you, this car turned out to be a delightful surprise. This Ain’t Your Average Rental The first thing that caught my attention was the interior. It wasn’t just “nice,” it was bloody luxurious! Seats that felt like a warm hug from a Hungarian grandma, soft-touch materials everywhere, and a modern design that wouldn’t look out of place in a spaceship. This wasn’t your average rental car, this was a proper gentleman’s chariot. The Tech Wizardry That Actually Works Now, usually, I’m the first to scoff at all the fancy tech in modern cars. Half of it never works properly, and the other half is just a distraction. But the Kuga, well, it surprised me again. The infotainment system was actually intuitive, the navigation system didn’t try to send me into the Danube, and the voice commands actually understood my thick Finglish accent. It was like having a well-trained butler in the car with me, except he didn’t spill my tea. Sipping Fuel Like a Refined Lady Now, we all know that SUVs aren’t exactly known for their fuel efficiency. They guzzle petrol like a thirsty camel. But the Kuga, bless its little heart, was remarkably economical. I drove over 1500 kilometers in less than a week, from Budapest to the land of Dracula and back again, and the fuel gauge barely budged. It was like the car was running on Hungarian paprika and goulash fumes, or maybe was palinka? Handling Like a Hot Hatch, But With More Space Of course, the true test of any car is how it handles on the road. And the Kuga, well, it didn’t disappoint. It cornered like a hot hatch, gripped the road like a clingy girlfriend, and generally behaved like a car half its size. I wouldn’t expect any less from the company that makes the bloody Ford Focus RS, a car that could probably outrun a fighter jet. Spacious Enough for a Hungarian Feast The Kuga wasn’t just fun to drive, it was also practical. There was plenty of room for all my luggage, my camera gear, and even a couple of bottles of Hungarian Tocaj icewine. The seats were comfortable enough for a long road trip, and the boot was big enough to smuggle a small elephant, if that’s your kind of thing. The Beer Belly Conundrum Now, there was one minor issue, but it’s only relevant if you happen to have a beer belly the size of a small planet. The driver’s seat had a limited range of movement, and combined with the limited steering wheel adjustment, it could get a bit cozy for those with a larger girth. I imagine it’s like trying to squeeze a sausage into a cocktail wiener casing. But for the rest of us, the Kuga was perfectly comfortable. The Price of Perfection I later found out that the Kuga is considered a bit pricey. But frankly, after spending a week with it, I can’t say I’m surprised. It’s a high-quality car, built like a tank, and packed with more tech than a Silicon Valley startup. It’s the kind of car that makes you feel like a million bucks, even if you’re just driving to the grocery store. I really liked it, I mean it! PS: Failed to pay any attention when I took pictures of the car, so ended up with a bit of a bad pictures, but at least they are mine. Apologies for that. About the car: Ford Kuga – 1.5 EcoBoostFuel: bezine / gasPower: 150 HPModel: 2022 Review Fordkuga