SAY what you want about the sports utility market. Since it went mainstream buyers haven’t been short of choice.

When car makers downsized to more affordable and frugal models, it wasn’t long before the humble family hatchback was being ignored in favour of more capable and versatile vehicles.

It might have been late to the SUV party but Ford’s Kuga showed rivals how to take an often-derided market sector (size, bulk, eco credentials) and make it appealing to the masses.

More than just a Focus on stilts, the Kuga offered a clever combination of attractive styling inside and out plus the engineering sophistication that we’ve come to admire in the likes of the Focus and Fiesta.

It still does, and it’s the car’s performance on the road that has surprised the most - even the critics. For a compact SUV the Kuga is an impressively agile beast. The Focus underpinnings certainly help, and there’s no hiding the flexible nature of diesel option as it really does suit the car’s character.

Of course, the standard fit four-wheel drive is a real bonus. Grip, stability and the ability to tackle rough terrain are all what makes an SUV like the Kuga special. Well, it would be if the vast majority of owners actually went off road in their 4x4s. With most viewed and bought as over-size hatchbacks, it’s rare for any to get their wheels dirty.

Which is why there is an increasing number of car makers making front-wheel drive SUVs. On paper it sounds like the mother and father of all contradictions - why would you opt for such a car?

The reality is easier to understand; the extra ride height and lofty driving position, the perception that you feel safer in a bigger car and the chunky looks have proven to be popular attributes of the SUV genre. Not so popular is added fuel consumption and emissions penalty associated with a complex 4x4.

Ford and others have woken up to this, and the arrival of these ‘faux’ off-roaders have been warmly welcomed by the buying public. You get the best of both worlds: practical bodystyle and sensible running costs.

In the case of the Kuga, the sole 2.0 TDCi diesel variant boasts an impressive 46.3mpg on the combined cycle. Granted it’s not quite up there with the old-style family runabout, but for a compact SUV it’s a darn sight better than something boasting full-on all-wheel drive - especially if you’re never going to climb every mountain with it.

Factor in a perfectly acceptable 159g/km CO2 for something of this size, and it’s clear that Ford has done its research. Anyone seeking the full experience will buy a regular Kuga and do what 4x4 owners do - tow stuff, climb stuff - while the rest of us can save some money without any hint of a compromise.

So exactly how good is this ‘lesser’ Kuga in the real world? Very good, it would seem. In reality it’s an impressive, polished performer. What sets it apart from its many rivals is the ability to tackle bends with the same enthusiasm and competence as a regular car - there’s no nausea-inducing pitch and roll here.

Neither is there the feeling that this particular Kuga would struggle in foul weather; worst-case scenario the electronic stability aids would help you out in the absence of four-wheel drive. For everyday motoring the front-drive Kuga is more than capable, though. The car’s TDCi diesel engine is a familiar one in the Ford family, and acquits itself well to the task in hand. Good levels of low down torque and a willingness to rev ensure smooth, effortless progress.

And if that isn’t enough, the Kuga’s cabin is plush and durable in equal measure, making it ideal not just for family duties but also presentable enough to be used for business activities. Factor in a generous level of standard equipment plus a wide choice of attractive options and it’s easy to see the car’s broad appeal.

Far from being the less desirable choice in the Kuga range, this front-drive compact SUV makes a lot of sense financially if you’re not going to stray from sealed roads. It’s fair to say that Ford’s stylish, versatile soft-roader lacks for nothing despite lacking four-wheel drive.

FACTS AT A GLANCE
Model: Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Titanium (2WD) 5dr, from £22,445 on the road.

Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel unit developing 136bhp.

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels.

Performance: Maximum speed 113mph, 0-62mph 10.6 seconds.

Economy: 46.3mpg.

CO2 Rating: 159g/km.