Motability does not require you remove the towbar, I never have and still received my bonus, I have just changed my car the other day on the 18th and received my bonus.
Not to sure about the Kuga PHEV, the press say it is sluggish, but to be honest you need to check it out yourself. We have just changed our 2017 Ford Kuga for a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, this morning I tried the old Kuga rubber protective matt inside the Outlander, the Outlander swallowed the Kuga matt with load of ample space.
Have a look at the Outlander PHEV the AP is only £1699 at present it has a very large boot and interior and economical and easy to drive
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.