High safety targets were a top priority for the new Kuga development and engineering teams and the results bear this out. Not only was the new Kuga awarded a 5 star rating for Adult Occupancy Protection, in the Euro NCAP Side Impact Test the new Kuga achieved a 100% result. What’s more, the rigid passenger cell was remarked upon positively by the Euro NCAP panel. Joe Bakaj, Vice President of Global Product Programs for Ford Motor Company and Vice President of Product Development for Ford of Europe said, "The tests performed by Euro NCAP are further validation of our own rigorous testing procedures and convey a compelling message from a highly respected and impartial organisation."

New Kuga’s extensive use of High Strength Steels (HSS) contributes to a very rigid yet lightweight passenger cell, which provides excellent frontal and side impact protection. The integrity of the passenger cell is further safeguarded by the use of dual phase steel in key areas. Crucially, the additional weight of the dual steel doesn’t compromise the car’s performance or fuel economy. Even the front axle subframe is designed to decouple from the body structure in the event of a frontal impact.

The new Kuga was awarded an outstanding Euro NCAP 4 star rating for Child Occupant Protection. In tests using a life-size dummy, the new Kuga scored maximum points for its protection of a 1.5 year old. For even greater peace of mind, the new Kuga also offers the ISOFIX system and top-tether anchorages in the rear outboard seats. ISOFIX stands for ‘International Standards Organisation FIX’ and is the benchmark for installing child seats into cars quickly and securely. To provide extra solidity, ISOFIX creates a rigid link between the child seat and the car.

The new Kuga achieved a highly impressive Euro NCAP pedestrian protection rating of 3 stars. This was accomplished due to a number of dedicated features that were engineered into the car from the outset. These unique features include soft bumper material, breakaway headlights and a special energy absorber between the bumper and the front panel and radiator. Even the parts located within the potential impact zone were engineered to help protect the pedestrian, including breakaway wiper spindles and collapsible bonnet hinges.

The basis for the new Kuga’s safety is Ford’s Intelligent Protection System (IPS). The new Kuga’s comprehensive IPS includes a total of six airbags – front and side airbags for front seat occupants, plus head and shoulder curtain airbags covering both rows of seats. These are supplemented by the use of anti-submarining seats with height adjustable headrests for all passengers.

The IPS combines state-of-the-art restraint equipment with a body structure that is optimised for strength and crash resistance. The new Kuga also offers comprehensive safety equipment that maintains the control of the car, plus numerous features that lessen the likelihood of injuries in an impact. The active safety equipment available with the car are:

• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Anti-Rollover Mitigation (ARM)
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)