Suffolk &amp; Cambs

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-6-1000x667.png" alt="The Ford Kuga in desert island blue" class="wp-image-45568" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-6-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-6-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-6-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-6.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



It’s the school holidays and that can only mean one thing: day trips, drop-offs, and desperate escapes to the countryside with snacks falling down the sides of the seats. So when the lovely people at <a href="https://www.johngrose.co.uk/">John Grose Ipswich</a> let me loose with their new <a href="https://ford.johngrose.co.uk/car/new-kuga/">Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid</a> for 24 hours, I said yes faster than my child says &#8220;no&#8221; to bath time.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-impressions">FIRST IMPRESSIONS</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-4-1000x667.png" alt="The Ford Kuga at Snape Maltings" class="wp-image-45566" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-4-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-4-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-4-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-4.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Clean, streamlined design, flexi rear seats (hello extra legroom), and up to 536L of boot space – aka pack-the-kitchen-sink capacity. Everything feels considered, uncluttered, and surprisingly luxe. I zipped up to my son’s holiday club pick-up feeling a bit smug – not only did I have air con and radio bliss, but I also looked ridiculously sleek doing it. My three-year-old climbed in, ran a hand across the seats and said, completely unprompted, “Well this is a bit lovely, isn’t it?”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-1000x667.png" alt="Holly Treacy-West driving the new Ford Kuga Hybrid" class="wp-image-45562" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Later, the husband and I took it on a date night to <a href="https://www.brittenpearsarts.org/landing-pages/summer-at-snape-2025">Snape Maltings</a> to see the absolutely divine <a href="https://www.instagram.com/corinnebaileyrae/?hl=en">Corinne Bailey Rae</a>. Warm summer air, clear roads, and a car that glided like a hot knife through butter. It was so quiet I could actually hear myself think (a novelty), and those seats? Like being cuddled by a Swedish masseuse. Genuinely, the most comfortable drive of my life.



Next morning? Up at the crack of dawn with swimming gear, soggy towels and a chirpy small human. There was space for everything and I still had room to swing my tea flask. Honestly, I was gutted to hand it back.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-7-1000x667.png" alt="The boot of the Ford Kuga" class="wp-image-45569" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-7-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-7-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-7-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-7.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



And the boot? Oh, the boot. You could fit the entire cast of Bluey in there. Beach bags, BBQs, brollies, bodyboards, you name it, you can fit it in. It’s the dream car for a family day out on the Suffolk coast.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safety-amp-tech">SAFETY &amp; TECH</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-2-1000x667.png" alt="Ford Kuga tech" class="wp-image-45564" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-2-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-2-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-2-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-2.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Don’t panic – this isn’t one of those cars with 7,000 buttons and a dashboard that looks like a spaceship. The tech is sleek, not scary. Cold outside? Heated seats to the rescue. Hot day? Air con that actually works – hallelujah. It’s all designed for real life, not Top Gear.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-8-1000x667.png" alt="The Ford Kuga Hybrid" class="wp-image-45570" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-8-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-8-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-8-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-8.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The Kuga’s Green Zone geofencing means it knows when you’re entering low-emissions zones and quietly switches into eco or electric mode like an obedient, tree-hugging ninja. You can choose when to use battery or petrol – so no wasting charge on long A-road hauls.



And when you&#8217;re in electric, you can sit back and relax, as you&#8217;ve got up to 42 miles range before you need to worry about switching to petrol mode or frantically searching for a charging station.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-1-1000x667.png" alt="The Ford Kuga Hybrid from John Grose Ipswich" class="wp-image-45563" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-1-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-1-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-1-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-1.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The Matrix headlights were a big win on those twisty Suffolk lanes, adapting to the light and road like magic. The 360° camera gives you a full view on the central SYNC 4 screen – game-changer when you’re reversing on residential roads when the kids are off school.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-5-1000x667.png" alt="The Ford Kuga at Snape Maltings, Suffolk" class="wp-image-45567" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-5-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-5-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-5-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-5.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Top tip? Turn on intelligent cruise control. It predicts speed limits and slows for bends, so you don’t have to keep slamming on the brakes. There is a little speed-warning chime that pops up if you creep over the limit – fab if you’re heavy-footed, but maybe a tiny bit bossy.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-little-extras">LITTLE EXTRAS</h3>



Bold exterior? Tick. Big tow capacity (up to 2,100kg)? Tick. Smart connectivity and nav that even plans your route around towing? Tick. Basically, it’s got all the bells and whistles without feeling like you’re flying a plane. Plus, the interior finishes are fancy enough to make you feel like you’ve levelled up – even if you’re still scraping Rice Krispies off the floor mats.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-3-1000x667.png" alt="The Ford Kuga from John Grose Ipswich" class="wp-image-45565" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-3-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-3-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-3-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/08/Ford-Kuga-3.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



There&#8217;s five different models, five different colours (I took the Desert Island Blue out) and it&#8217;s currently 0% APR &#8211; so get your dream car while you can.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-verdict">MUDDY VERDICT</h3>



Good for: Family adventures, long drives, packing it all in and still feeling zen. Not for: Speed demons – this one&#8217;s about comfort, not chaos. The damage: From £32,365 – worth every penny if you’re looking for grown-up comfort with family-friendly flair.



Book a test drive today at <a href="https://www.johngrose.co.uk/ford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John Grose Ipswich</a>,John Grose FORD, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich, IP3 9BE. Tel: 01473 270707.

Muddy drives… the Ford Kuga. The ultimate family car

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