Ford Puma and Kuga Gain BlueCruise, Ushering in Hands-Free Driving
Ford is expanding its BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assist feature to the Puma, Puma Gen-E and Kuga models in Europe starting in Spring 2026. This move follows the successful implementation of BlueCruise in the Mustang Mach-E and marks a significant step towards semi-automated driving for Ford customers in the region.
BlueCruise: A Fresh Era of Highway Driving
BlueCruise, which gained regulatory approval in Europe in 2023, allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel on pre-mapped sections of highways, known as “Blue Zones.” Currently, the system is active on over 133,000 kilometers (approximately 84,000 miles) of European motorways across 16 countries [Ford Authority]. The system utilizes cameras and radar to detect lane markings, speed limits, and changing traffic conditions, controlling steering, acceleration, and braking while requiring the driver to remain attentive to the road [Electrive].
Puma and Kuga Models Embrace Automation
The availability of BlueCruise will extend to both the petrol and electric versions of the Puma, including the Puma Gen-E, as well as the Kuga and Ranger plug-in hybrid. Ford will offer BlueCruise as both a one-time purchase and through subscription options, with details on pricing to be announced closer to the sales launch [Electrive]. New vehicles will include a three-month trial of the system.
BlueCruise Edition: A Premium Offering
Ford is similarly introducing a special BlueCruise Edition for the Puma, and Kuga. This edition features BlueCruise as standard, along with exclusive Vapor Blue paintwork, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a unique two-tone black and Nordic Blue interior upholstery [Auto Express]. A camera mounted above the infotainment system monitors driver attentiveness, ensuring the system disengages if the driver becomes distracted.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing for the Puma BlueCruise Edition starts at £33,995 for petrol models and £30,545 for the all-electric Puma Gen-E (with the £3,750 Government Electric Car Grant applied) [Auto Express]. Petrol models are equipped with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost mild-hybrid engine, available in 123bhp and 153bhp configurations, paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. The Gen-E models feature a 166bhp electric motor and a 47kWh battery, offering a range of up to 248 miles [Auto Express].
Enhanced Connectivity and Customization
Beyond BlueCruise, the Puma and Kuga are receiving upgrades to their infotainment systems, offering premium connectivity with access to video streaming and online navigation with real-time traffic information. These features are also available as one-time purchases or subscriptions. Ford has also expanded the color options, with Cactus Grey now available for the Gen-E and Electric Yellow for the combustion engine models [Electrive].
BlueCruise is currently the only Level 2+ autonomous driving software approved for use on UK roads, operating on 95% of the UK motorway network [Auto Express].