IT HAS taken Ford almost four years to introduce the Kuga to SUV-addicted Australia, something it blames on high demand in Europe, where even at this stage in its life it remains a highly regarded product.

Just 200 Kugas will reach Australia per month until the second-generation model arrives mid-2013 and Ford plans to build awareness of the Kuga name Down Under before it pitches a concerted attack on the compact SUV market with the new model.

The Kuga is still well regarded in Europe, but is it good enough to challenge more established rivals on the Australian market?