The Ford Kuga is one of the best family SUVs, but there are dozens of talented rivals waiting in the wings.
And, while the Kuga is great to drive, it doesn't lead the class for practicality or on-board technology – and the cabin styling is, at best, conservative.
We've picked out 10 fantastic Kuga competitors that should be on your shortlist. You'll find all of these SUVs available as great-value nearly new or used cars from Motorpoint.
Skoda Karoq
Better than a Kuga for: practicality
The Skoda Karoq shares its bones with the Volkswagen Tiguan and SEAT Ateca but it's our favourite of the three. It majors on practicality and ease of use above all else, so there are acres of space in the back seats and a vast boot behind them. On the move, the Skoda's soft, cosseting suspension glides over bumps that plenty of rivals would thump into, and the simple dashboard feels instantly familiar. Affordable 1.0-litre TSI petrols have enough power for most drivers, or you can upgrade to the 1.5-litre for some extra grunt.
Shop used Skoda Karoq cars or read our Skoda Karoq review
Mazda CX-5
Better than a Kuga for: interior design
The Kuga gets a lot right, but cabin design isn't one of them – its dashboard and main touch points are well made but appear bland and uninspiring. In comparison, the Mazda CX-5 looks like it stepped out of Paris Fashion Week, with elegant, fluid styling from every angle. What's inside is even more impressive, however. Mazda's been more tactical with its soft-touch materials and the faux-metal trim than Ford, as well as taking more care to incorporate the car's switchgear into its design cohesively, making the CX-5 a plush place to luxuriate in.
Browse used Mazda CX-5 cars
Nissan Qashqai
Better than a Kuga for: value
If you just need an SUV that's large enough for the family without breaking the bank, the Nissan Qashqai is an obvious choice. Shopping nearly new and recent used examples means a wealth of choice with prices undercutting the Kuga by several thousand pounds for a model with similar age and mileage. That means your budget buys a newer or higher-spec Qashqai than it will when looking at Kugas. The Qashqai's cabin is a little smaller and it's not as athletic as the Kuga, but it's well made and impressively comfortable on the road.
Search used Nissan Qashqai cars or read our Nissan Qashqai review
Hyundai Tucson
Better than a Kuga for: styling
The Kuga's not a bad-looking car – especially recent models with front grilles seemingly inspired by a luxury British sports car maker. That said, if you want your family SUV to turn heads, the Hyundai Tucson takes it to the next level. You'll spot its bluff, segmented front grille that blends seamlessly into the headlight design. Then, your eye falls to the car's neat, faceted bodywork and a graceful chrome strip along the roofline. All this impresses before you even experience the Tucson's excellent all-round usability.
Check out used Hyundai Tucson cars or see our Hyundai Tucson review
BMW X1
Better than a Kuga for: premium image
No one's going to judge a Ford badge, but everyone knows a BMW badge carries more kudos. The BMW X1 is a similar size to the Kuga, with loads of space and a similarly excellent driving experience. What's more, its cabin is plush, packed with tech and, despite the surprisingly sporty setup, it rides comfortably over long distances. Naturally, there's a price to pay for these benefits and, in this case, it's the car's literal price – X1 models typically cost a few thousand pounds more than a similar-age Kuga, so you might have to settle for an older model.
View used BMW X1 cars
Mini Countryman
Better than a Kuga for: driving fun
Look under the skin and the Mini Countryman uses many of the same parts as the BMW X1 above. As a result, the 'big' Mini has similarly sporty, agile handling combined with well-judged suspension that won't get on your nerves on a long drive. You also get much more rear-passenger and cargo space than you might expect from a car claiming to be 'Mini', making the Countryman a great candidate for a compact family car. Maybe wait until you're driving solo to make the most of the handling, however, because it keeps egging you on to go faster.
Take a look at used Mini Countryman cars or read our Mini Countryman review.
Kia Sportage
Better than a Kuga for: warranty cover
There are plenty of sensible reasons to choose a Kia Sportage – it's practical, well built and easy to drive. It doesn't just appeal to the head, however, with bold styling, a high-tech infotainment system and surprisingly entertaining handling. The icing on the cake, however, is Kia's seven-year transferrable factory warranty – a testament to the Sportage's robustness. That means buyers looking at nearly new and recent used examples will have lots of coverage left to rely on should their car suffer an unexpected failure.
Find used Kia Sportage cars or read our Kia Sportage review
MG HS
Better than a Kuga for: PHEV driving
The MG HS is a value for money champion. Shopping nearly new and recent used examples will present you with plenty of options that are newer with lower mileage than a Kuga for the same budget. On the road, the HS doesn't quite impress like the Kuga does but it's certainly good enough to handle daily family SUV duties. The ace in its hand, however, is the MG's powerful plug-in-hybrid engine, allowing it to cover around 30 miles on electricity alone. You can get a PHEV option in the Kuga but it's several thousand pounds more to buy.
Browse used MG HS cars or read our MG HS review
Citroen C5 Aircross
Better than a Kuga for: boot space
The Citroen C5 Aircross is happy to do things a little differently. Its minimal dashboard is stripped of most physical buttons and the wide, squashy seats feel more like armchairs than car seats. Practicality is already impressive thanks to three individual rear seats, which makes it easier to carry a full complement of five passengers without running out of elbow room. However, the C5 Aircross's best feature is its boot space – even in its smallest setting, the 580-litre space is more than 150 litres up on the Ford's cargo area.
Search used Citroen C5 Aircross cars for sale
Peugeot e-2008
Better than a Kuga for: EV driving
For all the Kuga's strengths, there's no purely battery powered version for buyers ready to hang up the fuel filler. Taking a mid-range Kuga budget, you'll find several electric models to choose from but the Peugeot e-2008 is one of our favourites. It starts with the same platform as the regular fuel-powered 2008 – that means a plush cabin, comfortable suspension and just enough space for a small family – but adds a 50kWh battery and 100kW (134hp) electric motor. This gives it a range in excess of 200 miles and zippy acceleration off the line.
Shop used Peugeot 2008 cars or read out Peugeot 2008 review
Fantastic family SUVs for less
Motorpoint has an enormous selection of nearly new and used SUVs for sale with thousands off their list prices. If you're on the hunt for a great family car, check out our comparison between SUVs and MPVs to see which body style suits you best.
