Hybrid powertrains add to appeal of already-popular Ford Kuga

More recently, the Kuga's appeal has been further boosted by a range of efficient hybrid powertrains, while the latest model benefits from tech and design upgrades. The most eye-catching exterior change is at the front, where a new gloss-black grille, redesigned adaptive headlights and an LED light bar give the Kuga a fresh look. The ride height has been raised, lending the vehicle a more imposing stance, while there are also a variety of new alloy wheel designs to choose from.

The Ford Kuga pictured amid the splendour of the British countryside There are also some major improvements to the interior when it comes to tech. The current line-up consists of three engine options - a plug-in hybrid, a full hybrid and an EcoBoost petrol engine. The full hybrid, tested here, provides a nice blend between power and economy, with a 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds and combined fuel economy of up to 51.4mpg.

Our test car combined a 2.5-litre Duratec engine with a battery-powered electric motor, with the system recapturing energy that's usually lost while decelerating. The battery stores power to improve fuel economy and even drive short distances on electric power alone. The Kuga looks the part from all angles Both the full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars send their power through a CVT gearbox, which is smooth and adds further ease-of-use to this family-orientated vehicle, although it takes a bit of the driver engagement away.

Steering is sharp and the Kuga feels nimble for a vehicle of this size, especially when the added weight of the battery is added in. A four-wheel drive version is available, but this front-wheel drive variant felt sufficiently grippy. The car's poise when cornering makes it among the best family SUVs for handling.

The interior is a mix of nice textured surfaces and more scratchy plastics, striking a balance between the premium and the practical. The soft touch surfaces pop up in the areas where you need them most - the steering wheel, armrest cover and part of the door inlays. The interior benefits from improved tech

Red stitching gives the cabin a sense of uniformity, appearing on the leather steering wheel, inside of the doors, armrest and seats, both front and back. On a 400-mile round trip, we found the electronically-adjustable front seats to be supportive and comfortable. For those with longer legs, you can press a button to extend the base of the front seats by pulling out an extra section, providing further support when on longer journeys.

Up to three back seat passengers will have plenty of space, with a tall adult able to sit behind a tall driver and still have enough legroom. The cabin is sensibly laid-out, with the wide infotainment screen within easy reach of the driver and plenty of stowage space conveniently located, plus two cup holders down to the driver's left and a phone charging platform. A side profile of the Ford Kuga The Kuga's analogue dials and switchgear have been replaced with a more digitally-focused set-up.

The new 12.3-inch instrument cluster screen is clear and intuitive, as is the13.2-inch touchscreen. A design flourish comes courtesy of an eye-catching textured strip running across the dash, with a similar surface surrounding the window controls on the inside of the doors. On a long motorway trip, the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist functions added to the relaxing ambience.

After a week of driving in mixed conditions, my average fuel consumption amounted to 40.5mpg, with the screen informing me that 233 of my 771 miles had been electric. To help the driver extract the very best economy from the hybrid set-up, you can toggle through the various information screens until you reach 'EV Coach' and 'Eco Behaviour', with the latter rating your acceleration, deceleration and optimal speed with a percentage score. Four drive modes are available - normal, eco, sport and slippery.

Ford Kuga ST Line ENGINE: 2.5-litre petrol, full hybrid PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds

ECONOMY: 48.7 - 51.4mpg EMISSIONS: 130-132g/km TRANSMISSION: CVT auto with front wheel drive

PRICE: Range starts from GBP33,395