The phenomenal popularity of sports utility vehicles in Europe has been the car sales sensation of the last decade.
So Ford, obviously keen to carve its slice of the growing sector, commissioned a survey to better understand the boom.
Its study involving 5,000 people, identified three clear groups behind the soaring sales – mothers with young children, 17- to 34-year-olds, and active 50-somethings, the so-called Quintastics.
Surprisingly perhaps despite their macho appearance, SUVs are increasingly seen as fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, and attainable. Mothers look on them as offering a stylish, safe family car; a sexy choice for Millennials; and supporting active lifestyles for 50-somethings.
The appeal is obvious, for like a smartphone that also can be a camera, media player, and torch, an SUV works because it offers a one-stop solution. Depending on your needs it can cope with weekend adventures, perform as a stylish and practical school-run option and always delivers great visibility.
The Kuga spearheaded the Ford's SUV expansion in the UK after first going on sale in 2008 and has been joined by the EcoSport and the just-launched larger Edge.
The new Kuga has been refined with a sportier redesign and a lot more technology. The test model came in Zetec trim, which delivers a classy, well-finished cabin packed with everything from keyless start and air conditioning, to cruise control with speed limiter and a heated windscreen.
Other neat touches that make driving a bit less stressful range from hill start assist and tyre pressure monitoring, to a voice-control system that can select radio stations, plot a navigation route and read out text messages.
Optional extras also raise the bar with a perpendicular parking system that helps drivers park hands-free in spaces alongside other cars, an enhanced version of a city-stop collision avoidance system, follow-the-road headlights and a hands-free tailgate.
Power came from a 150 horsepower, 1.5-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine, which delivers a decent blend of fuel consumption and emissions alongside Ford’s Duratorq TDCi diesel engines.
Put all this together and you have a car that is more than capable of fighting its corner in an increasingly competitive market.
On the move, the Euro NCAP five-star safety-rated Kuga is quiet, comfortable and more than capable of swallowing up a family of five and their kit for a weekend away.
Ford expects SUV sales to treble in the UK this year compared with just three years ago and it says its research has shown that more than one in four people in the UK are likely to consider buying an SUV as their next car. 
So it is probably no surprise that the percentage of SUVs sold in Europe, compared with total car sales, has grown from six per cent in 2005, to 23 per cent in 2015 – and is expected to rise further.


Auto facts
Model: Ford Kuga Zetec 1.5T EcoBoost
Price: £21,245
Insurance group: 20E
Fuel consumption (Combined): 45.6mpg
Top speed: 121mph
Length: 452.4cm/178.1in
Width: 168.9cm/66.5in
Luggage capacity: 14.3 cu ft
Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gallons/60 litres
CO2 emissions: 143g/km
Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles