Ford Kuga Gains Hands-Free Driving with BlueCruise Expansion in Europe

Ford is expanding its BlueCruise hands-free driving technology to the new model year Kuga, making the system available on one of Europe’s best-selling SUVs from April. Previously launched on the Mustang Mach-E, BlueCruise now brings semi-autonomous highway capability to a broader customer base alongside the Kuga’s diverse hybrid and petrol powertrain lineup [1].

BlueCruise: Hands-Free Driving in ‘Blue Zones’

BlueCruise builds on Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control to manage steering, acceleration, braking, and lane centering in designated highway “Blue Zones,” covering approximately 95% of highways across 16 European markets [1]. The system operates with “hands-off, eyes-on” functionality, even in stop-and-proceed traffic, and utilizes the vehicle’s existing sensor architecture [1].

The system was first approved for operation on European roads in 2023 with the Ford Mustang Mach-E [1] and is now available on selected Puma, Puma Gen-E, Ranger PHEV, and Kuga models [2], [3].

Availability and Subscription Options

BlueCruise will be available on Kuga models with petrol, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid engines equipped with automatic transmission, starting in April. It will be standard on ST-Line X and Active X trims and offered as an optional extra for Titanium and ST-Line trims [1].

Ford offers flexible subscription and purchase models for BlueCruise, including a one-time purchase, monthly subscription, or annual subscription. All vehicles equipped with BlueCruise receive a three-month trial period [1].

Additional Upgrades to the Kuga

Alongside the introduction of BlueCruise, Ford has also improved the B&O premium audio system with new speakers and increased power. The Premium Connectivity function is now available across all Kuga equipment levels, providing access to streaming services and games, including karaoke, via the Sync4 infotainment system [1].

The Mainstreaming of Level 2+ Driver Assistance

Expanding hands-free highway driving from electric vehicles to high-volume SUVs signifies the increasing adoption of Level 2+ driver assistance systems in Europe [1]. This move also highlights the shift towards ADAS features being software-defined, creating new revenue streams and accelerating consumer adoption of semi-autonomous technologies.