Last weekend we were lucky enough to try out the new Ford Kuga from the lovely people at Peoples Ford in Liverpool. When I say new, I mean actually brand spanking new with barely a mile on the clock. It was spotless. Â So what did we do – we took it on a Mini Travellers adventure to a sandy beach! Poor car!
However the Ford Kuga is designed to be a family friendly adventure vehicle so what better way to put it to the test that on a Mini Travellers family adventure. Â The girls tend to ‘use’ a car and put it through its paces, so was it up to the challenge?
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We arrived at the showroom to meet Michael who took all the girls questions in his stride, even Lily’s announcement that she was creating the first episode of “The Lily Show” during that day so he needed to smile.  You can find Lily’s video here!
The showroom is bright and welcoming with enough chairs for all the family, cold and hot drinks on demand and pleasant staff albeit who seemed a little bemused by the girls strolling in with the go pro!
The first thing to say about the Ford Kuga is that it looks pretty nice! I’m a sucker for a white car anyway but it looks sturdy and like it’s up for an adventure!  That’s an important thing in a car isn’t it!
It’s also got lots and lots of features but it is still easy and intuitive to drive.  To be honest I can get a little overwhelmed sometimes in a new car with all the different buttons and options but the very lovely Michael at the Peoples Ford showroom was very patient explaining the car to me whilst my three Mini Travellers chatted/argued/fought in the back about who was sitting where and who could mess about with my phone whilst I left it momentarily alone.
To be fair they could only have my phone for a short time as one of the most exciting features of the Ford Kuga, to me, was that you could connect your phone to the car with Apple Play and it allows you to play all your own music, use your own multimaps as Sat Nav and send text messages hands free.  I found the text messaging a little clunky but I imagine you get used to that, and having the ability for it to read out your text messages rather than you check (when you shouldn’t) sounds like a great idea to me; provided those people sending them to you know you may have little people in the car who can hear what’s being said.
There are other hands free features too.  You can park the car without using your hands! As I am absolutely terrible  at parking, and will drive to the back of a supermarket car park to avoid parking next to someone this really appeals to me. I think this is another feature that once you get used to would be really easy to use as Michael made it look easy in his demonstration and I did have one go that you can see in the video.
So we got all the kids strapped up in the back and off we set! It’s worth mentioning that you can fit three children in the back but only 2 in high backed boosters – we used the mifold seat in the middle for this journey.
We didn’t even make it out of the car park before the kids wanted their picnic and so we kindly put the wipeability of the leather finish inside to the test by spilling a drink on the back seats too. It did come off though – always buy leather with young children – always!
As I mentioned we took the car on an adventure to the Sand Dunes, we filled the car with scooters, camera bag, picnic bag and there was plenty of room – there was also apparently room to sleep in the boot! Â The Ford Kuga really is the perfect car growing families looking for space, comfort, safety and apparently it’s pretty amazing on fuel efficiency too!
So what did we do on our family adventure? Well we took the car to Formby Point and threw ourselves round some sand dunes! Â Here are some of the photos from our day!
To see how we got in more detail with the car please do take a look at our video!
If you fancy enjoying Spring in a new car and think it’s #timeforachange why not check out the Spring Used Car Sale at Peoples Ford. Â The cars have been carefully selected by its experienced sales team to ensure unrivalled choice and value. Â They’re also really nice people!
NB: This post has been created in collaboration with Peoples Ford
Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.
What an exciting day out you all had, it looks like you all had great fun. I imagine the sales man enjoyed himself too (but maybe not the people who had to clean it when you got back….. sand gets everywhere!!!)
Aaah I’m a sucker for a white car too!!!! I’ve already voiced this, for when we change our car next!! Love this post — bless Lily!! You’ve a little star in the making there! xx
Useful review – i don’t have a car at the moment and really should get round to getting one, it never quite seems to get to the top of the list though! #mondayescapes
Looks like you guys had a fun road trip and day out! #MondayEscapes
Now that’s a whole lotta features followed by a fun ride… 🙂 Cheers!! #MondayEscapes
I loved the videos. The dunes at Formby beach look like so much fun. #MondayEscapes
Sounds like a great car. That’s interesting that you love white cars. I prefer any other color but white. But that’s probably because there are so many white cars where I live that I fear I wouldn’t be able to find my car in a parking lot. #MondayEscapes
Looks like a really fun day out. Weekday a lovely opportunity. So dummy that the boot is not enough to sleep in. Ha! #mondayescapes
A car that can park itself would be SO amazing. I think that’s my least favourite bit about driving. The apple play would have me sold too. I just love good gadgets in cars!
What a fun way to test drive a car. #MondayEscapes
This looks like the ultimate piece of Family Travel Gear. Thanks for sharing. #MondayEscapes
There’s a reason I’m such a die hard Ford fan! Love this post
Love all the fancy features , It is so difficult finding a car for 3 little people in the back, it has definitely become a bit easier for us now that we have one out of a booster seat. Love the Beach pictures-looks great fun. #Mondayescapes
I love the look of the sand dunes. Got to love the English seaside. Always good to know the options for family-friendly cars…especially ones that can fit three in the back. #mondayescapes
We had a Kuga for years and really miss it, it was great in the snow x
Love how little time it took you to test the wipeability though bet you were quite mortified at the time! Looks a gorgeous vehicle though #MondayEscapes
Love your sand dune shots! I didn’t realise normal cars like this one could park themselves, technology is moving forward rather quickly..! #Mondayescapes
cup holders, you didn’t mention them, it’s a selling point for me.
Popping over from #MondayEscapes
Oh wow! We are in need of a new car at the moment – this one is amazing! Sarah #MondayEscapes
Ha! No point in road testing a family car if you don;t spill something on it and take it for a messy day out! Glad it came up trumps.
Our car is showing its age (13 years) so we really should get a new one but I’m pretty ambivalent about them – as long as they get me where I want to go I don’t mind. Although I did once hire a Nissan Micra and that was an awful car! #Mondayescapes
we don’t drive and I wouldn’t have a clue where to start with buying a car! I never thought to think about family cars, I just thought a car is a car, but this post made me think otherwise! your family are beautiful, btw!
#mondayescapes
My last four cars have been white I was devastated when I couldn’t get a white car this time and already missing it. This one looks ace. We actually looked at buying one before we decided on ours. They really stand the test for families. Sandy beach cars though poor brand new thing. lol Great day out at formby though. 🙂 #mondayescapes
I need a car! This looks like a great option for travelers! #MondayEscapes
I’m a non driver but even I’m impressed! I think its great that you can do so much hands free. Sounds like a great adventure! #MondayEscapes
Sounds like a great car and a great test drive. #mondayescapes
I’m super impressed that they let you road test a car for a day. And then you really tested it. Very cool. #MondayEscapes
Fun new car for a fun day trip! Sounds lovely to me! #MondayEscapes
At least you didn’t have to valet the car after all that sand away. Would an android phone connect in the same way? #MondayEscapes
No I’m afraid not, it would still work but not with the apple play system
Looks like a great car! Love the ability to use Apple play! #mondayescapes
Looks like a fab car. We have a ford galaxy as we need the big boot for our 2 dogs. However, it looks like the perfect family car. Would love a car that could park itself! #MondayEscapes
This looks like a fantastic family car. #MondayEscapes
I love a car with gadgets but it does take me a long time to get to know how they all work. Thanks goodness for leather seats – I’m not sure what we’d do without ours!!