Best Overall Rating For Ford Kuga

Setting the car at the top of the stands in the Euro NCAP Small Off-road 4x4 group, the Ford Kuga is in the most recent stage of Euro NCAP safety tests. The all-new Ford Kuga compact crossover has bagged the best blend of star ratings. The ranking is improved by four stars for Child Occupant Protection and three stars for Pedestrian Protection, with the honors reaching the all-time high five stars for Adult Occupant Protection.

"The Ford Kuga joins a portfolio of cars that is recognised for high safety standards and performance. The tests performed by Euro NCAP are further validation of our own rigorous testing procedures and internal results and convey a compelling message to Kuga customers from a highly respected and impartial organisation," says Joe Bakaj, Vice President, Global Product Programs, Ford Motor Company and Vice President, Product Development, Ford of Europe.

The foundation for the Kuga's safety is Ford's Intelligent Protection System (IPS). It is a combination of a body structure most favorable for vigor and crashworthiness with up-to-date control gear and tough car parts. It also comprise of a plus driver aids that sustain control of the vehicle that reduces the possibility of injuries in an impact.

The Vehicle’s broad application of High Strength Steels (HSS) adds to a very firm, yet lightweight passenger safety compartment. This gives excellent frontal and side impact protection. The reliability of the passenger cell is extra fortified by the use of twin phase steel in key areas, without sacrificing performance and fuel economy by supplementary weight gain added to the car parts.

The front axle sub-frame system improvised for the Kuga is specially intended to decouple from the body structure in the course of a frontal impact. The Kuga had a 100 per cent test end result in the Euro NCAP side impact test and the rigid passenger cell of the Kuga was observed upon certainly by the testing board of judges.

"The Euro NCAP standard is held in high regard by our customers and competitors alike. The Ford Kuga has performed consistently in each of the three categories Adult Occupant-, Child Protection and Pedestrian Protection that comprise the Euro NCAP tests. Our teams devoted the right amount of engineering time and resource to each category which has paid off in the results the Kuga has achieved," says Gisbert Gaeb, Manager of Analytical Attributes at Ford of Europe.

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.