Ford facelifted its Kuga SUV last year, with new looks, a new 1.5-litre diesel engine, and an updated infotainment system.

The new unit may be suitable for lightweight caravans, but the 2.0-litre diesel 180PS engine in our test car can handle heavier tourers.

The range includes both front- and four-wheel-drive models – ours is a 4×4. There’s a choice of manual or PowerShift automatic ’boxes, and we’re testing an auto.

The Kuga was a decent mid-size SUV before the revisions, but there are many fine rivals.

What tow car talent does this revised version have? Does the new Kuga stand out from the crowd? And is ST Line, with its sports suspension, the best choice for an entertaining drive without sacrificing ride comfort?

Let’s hitch up and find out!