If ever a car maker needed to up the ante and embrace the future in electric vehicles, it’s Ford. They have the Mustang Mach-e already on the market, and the new all electric Explorer model is coming on stream later this year.

Now they are about to take the Kuga – Europe’s bestselling Plug-in hybrid for a number of years – on a whole new journey.

The new Kuga range is built in Europe and designed for European drivers and offers up to 69km of pure electric driving for Kuga Plug-In Hybrid customers who can take advantage of home or public charging.

This is a major update for the Kuga, and apart from obvious external changes, there’s even more changes in the cabin. First and foremost, you get Ford’s unique latest-generation SYNC 4 infotainment system that offers twice the computing power of the previous system.

Integrating seamlessly with smartphones, it has 5G connectivity for fast access to information, cloud-connected navigation to help stay ahead of the jams, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for cable-free access to key apps and information. Alexa Built-in is also standard, so drivers and passengers can ask questions or make commands even without a smartphone connected.

According to Ford’s marketing department, practicality is at the heart of new Kuga’s interior, offering comfort and convenience no matter what the journey. It’s all about flexibility and making the most of the internal space. Sliding second row seats can boost legroom to over one metre for rear occupants. It also means that buyers can create up to 140 litres of extra boot space.

Advanced lighting technology helps to improve comfort and confidence for the driver, with full LED headlights including Automatic High Beam Control as standard.

Optional Dynamic Pixel LED headlights use navigation data and a windscreen-mounted camera to read road signs, altering the light pattern at curves, junctions and roundabouts to better illuminate pedestrians and cyclists.

Ford chiefs say that the new Kuga is their best-ever, with new levels of capability, connectivity and comfort. Surprisingly for its size, it has impressive pulling power of up to 2,100kg of towing ability. This means that it is able to take everything from a large caravan to a horsebox in its stride.

The new Kuga is built in Europe at Ford’s advanced Valencia plant in Spain, where 3D printing of parts delivers highly accurate and sustainable manufacturing. Artificial intelligence works hand-in-hand with engineers to ensure the highest standards of quality and production.

Pictured: The new Ford Kuga.