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Quick overview
- Great to drive
- Mild hybrid tech
- Very large boot
- Keen pricing
- Claustrophobic feel in rear cabin
- Road noise from larger wheels
- Limited rear visibility
- No four-wheel drive option
Ford took longer to join the small SUV sector than most of its rivals, but it did so in style when it launched the Puma in 2020. Reviving the name of its fondly remembered small coupe, it brought back the same driving fun the original Puma coupe was famed for. In an instant, the Puma SUV wrongfooted all of its competitors that might have thought they were good fun to drive.
Ford backed up the excellent driving manners of the Puma with a fine range of engine options. There’s the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol motor in 125- and 155hp outputs, and both of these options come with mild hybrid assistance as standard. For the rapid ST hot hatch model, there’s a 200hp 1.5-litre petrol turbo engine, and this version makes you wonder why you’d buy a more traditional small hot hatch now.
If you think the Puma is only about fun, think again. It has a generous boot, and that’s before you lift up the luggage bay carpet and find the massive additional space beneath which is big enough to hold a couple of suitcases. There’s plenty of room in the back seats too, though the high window line and dark interior fabrics make it feel a little gloomy and claustrophobic in here. In the front, it’s much better, but again the high waist line and sloping roof mean the driver’s vision over the left shoulder is not fantastic.
Neither of these demerits are major flaws with the Puma, which appeals with plenty of kit in even the entry-level trim. It’s also priced to compete head-on with key rivals such as the Peugeot 2008 and Volkswagen T-Roc, with the Ford offering strong value for money.
Prices
The Ford Puma range kicks off with the Titanium model that costs from £23,645, rising through the ST-Line at £24,595 and ST-Line C for £25,695 to the ST-Line Vignale with a price tag of £27,345. At the very top of the range is the hot hatch ST model with a price starting at £29,770.
With a new Puma, you can expect to haggle a discount of between £1500 and £2500 depending on the model and generosity of the individual Ford dealer. A nearly new Puma can offer even better savings of up to £3000, while a three-year old car with average mileage for its age will cost from £23,000.
Infotainment, comfort and practicality
Small crossovers have practicality at their core, and the Ford Puma does not disappoint here. This is exemplified by its generous boot space, which would be good enough to mix with its main rivals just on the amount of space when you lift the tailgate. At first sight, it looks better than average for the class, but then you lift up the boot floor to reveal the deep storage well that Ford calls a ‘megabox’. It’s big enough to hold a couple of carry-on flight cases and it’s finished in hard-wearing plastics, so it’s ideal for stashing muddy boots or wet clothes after a day out with the kids. There’s even a drain plug in the bottom to help hose it out afterwards. Just about the only small criticism of the boot is the load sill lip doesn’t sit flush with the floor.
A 60-40 split and fold back seat allows you to free up even more cargo room when you need it, and the seats are easy to tip and pull back up into place. With them upright, there’s as much space in the back of the Puma for passengers as in most of its rivals. Adults will find it a little snug on headroom due to the slope of the roof, but it’s ideal for kids. However, there is a note of caution here as the high waist of the Puma combines with the dark upholstery fabric to make it feel a little cramped and enclosed back here. Smaller children will certainly want a booster seat to help them see out.
Sit in the driver’s seat of the Puma and all is right with the world. There’s plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel as well as height adjustment for the seat. It offers a typically Ford fine driving position, though rear vision over the driver’s left shoulder is limited when parking or changing lane. At least rear parking sensors are standard on all models to counter this as you slot into a car park bay. On longer drives, the Puma offers good seat support and all-day comfort, though models with the larger 18-inch alloy wheels suffer from a bit too much road noise at motorway pace.
The dash is very similar to the Ford Fiesta that the Puma shares its main underpinnings with, so you get a clear, crisp instrument display. Digital dials are standard on the ST-Line models, while an 8-inch touchscreen takes care of the infotainment. It uses Ford’s SYNC 3 Navigation set-up, which is simple to use and the screen is one of the quicker ones to react to your finger’s touch. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it’s easy to pair with your smartphone via Bluetooth. The higher trim levels also add four extra speakers.
Which 2020 Ford Puma model should you buy?
Ford goes straight in with the Titanium trim as the opening point for the Puma range. It’s well fitted out with 17-inch alloy wheels, Quickclear windscreen, SYNC 3 infotainment system, cruise control, and an array of safety kit. The ST-Line gains sports suspension and body kit, and digital instrument cluster with 12.3-inch display. Move to the ST-Line X and it adds 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, climate control, four extra stereo speakers, and wireless phone charging. The ST-Line Vignale begins at £27,345 and focuses on luxury with its keyless ignition, heated front seats and steering wheel, and Sensico man-made leather upholstery. Then there’s the rapid ST that comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as unique body styling and suspension.
The Titanium model is very well suited to most drivers’ needs and offers the best value for money in the Puma range whether you’re buying new or used. It’s worth considering the Winter Pack as an option with a new Puma Titanium to gain heated seats and steering wheel. The Driver Assistance Pack with Parking is another desirable choice as it comes with blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, and front parking sensors.
Value for money: how much does a 2020 Ford Puma cost to buy and run?
The 125hp 1.0-litre engine is ideal for most situations, and there’s the option of a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox in place of the six-speed manual transmission. The 155hp engine is a bit more peppy, but not so much that you notice in everyday driving. Whichever of these two motors you choose, the Puma is very good to drive and serves up more interaction, stability and precision than any of its rivals can muster. The ST has its own 200hp 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, but it does without the mild hybrid assistance that its smaller siblings have.
Running a Puma should not challenge your bank balance. The 125hp 1.0-litre model offers up to 52.3mpg combined economy and 122g/km of carbon dioxide emissions, so road tax is not onerous. The 155hp motor is not far behind with 51.4mpg and 124g/km, while choosing the DCT automatic gearbox sees these figures increase by a small amount. The hot hatch ST serves up 42.8mpg and 148g/km CO2 output. Insurance for the 1.0-litre Puma models falls between groups 11 and 17, while the ST resides in group 22. As for servicing, Ford dealers are among the more keenly priced.
Verdict: Should I buy a 2020 Ford Puma?
There is very little the Ford Puma cannot do as it covers almost every base you want form a small SUV except off-roading. It would be good if there was a little more rear seat space, but even that’s not a deal-breaker when compared to the Ford’s main rivals.
With mild hybrid tech used in all of the 1.0-litre models, fuel economy and emissions are very reasonable, and the Puma is very good at long distance driving. It’s nimble in town, great on back roads, and has a huge boot. Every version is also well equipped and Ford has pitched prices keenly compared to the car’s direct rivals.
All of the trims for the Puma are generously fitted out with comfort and safety equipment, and there are some good deals to be had from Ford dealers. It all adds up to a very complete, appealing package.