Our fleet: Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Zetec AWD - April 2014

Last month I commented on how the Kuga fails to leave any lasting memory, and while our long-term test car continues to fail to provoke any real emotion, the list of positives grows as the end of my time with the Kuga draws nearer.

My wife raves about the comfortable and supportive seats and how much she enjoys the raised driving position, and she’s right (of course). After a 4 hour drive to sunny Wales we both arrived ache free, and the driving height which has now become the norm for us makes riding in regular cars seem strange by comparison.

While the average 42mpg I’m achieving isn’t outstanding by any means on the plus side you don’t have to drive it carefully to achieve it, in fact it doesn’t seem to matter how I drive it, it only ever seems to fluctuate between 40-42mpg

The boot is surprisingly accommodating, one of the smallest in its class at 406 litres (rising to 1603 litres with seats down), which is considerably smaller than other vehicles in it’s class such as the Kia Sportage, Honda CRV and Mazda CX-5 and yet somehow deceptive as it accommodated all my family’s luggage for a week away including travel cot, pram, high chair and other assorted paraphernalia that goes along with two children.

The adjustable backrest of the rear seat is a great addition. No longer do kids (or any sleeping rear passengers) look like they have broken necks while nodding off in the back.

And while the metallic brown paintwork seems to get a marmite response from most, and may not add to the Kuga’s kerbside appeal for some, a bright white one I saw cruising the seafront in the sunshine at the weekend, did get a second look.

Luke Neal