Ford Puma (2020) Review

Ford Puma (2020) At A Glance

Fiesta-based crossover is excellent to drive. Surprisingly practical. Generous amount of standard equipment.

Slightly claustrophobic rear seats. Not as cheap as the EcoSport.

Satisfaction Index

Reviews for Ford Puma (2020)'s top 3 rivals

Toyota C-HR

Outstanding ride, road holding and handling. A pleasure to drive. 1.2 petrol or 1.8 hybrid. Solid build...

Skoda Superb

Near perfect as a practical family estate car. Great value for money. Comfortable and quiet on the move....

Mazda 2

Impressive small hatch that offers a fine blend of comfort and handling. Good economy. Well equipped...

Ask Honest John

What would you recommend for a couple who want a comfortable, reliable SUV?

"My wife and I are in our late 60s, retired and are looking to buy an SUV for the first time for its ease of access and high position. We don't care about prestige brands but we do want comfort, refinement, quiet and enough performance to make driving effortless. Perhaps automatic. We are tall but do not need extra space for people or luggage. We also want reliability. We tend not to change cars frequently - we have had our current car - a Ford Focus, bought nearly new - for seven years. We want to spend no more than £30k. Would we be better off buying a used luxury SUV like the Audi Q7 or a new/nearly new midsize SUV like the Skoda Karoq? In short, what would you recommend for an ageing couple who put comfort over speed but don't want to pay for either size or prestige that we do not need?"

An Audi Q7 sounds a bit big for your needs. A Skoda Karoq could be perfect – it's a very comfortable crossover SUV. Also look at the very similar Volkswagen Tiguan, or the uber-comfortable Citroen C5 Aircross. You might find that smaller crossovers meet your requirements, too – take a look at the Ford Puma or Peugeot 2008.

Answered by Andrew Brady

More reliable than a Mini Countryman?

"I’m in my 30s, work in investment management and use my own car for commuting and business. I currently have a 2016 Mini One Countryman 1.6-litre petrol, which has proven really unreliable with poor build quality (failed engine seal, clutch contaminated by an oil leak from the engine, broken water pump, gearbox issues etc). I’m keen to ditch it and replace it with something more reliable, ideally with a long warranty, and suitable for navigating country lanes (which are often icy or flooded) on my 20 mile daily commute. It also needs to be comfy for fortnightly longer motorway drives whilst visiting clients with a tall seating position and plenty of headroom. It needs to be big enough for a Labrador, car seat and boot full of shopping, while being cost-effective to run, too. I could spend around £20k outright or would consider 0% finance. I have no idea where to start so any guidance much appreciated."

Take a look at the latest Ford Puma or Peugeot 2008. Both are really fashionable little crossover SUVs with enough space for your Lab. £20k will get you an as-new pre-registered model of either. Alternatively, if you want to prioritise a long warranty, consider a Kia Stonic or Toyota C-HR.

Answered by Andrew Brady

What’s the best petrol or hybrid, midsize SUV?

"What’s the best petrol or hybrid, midsize SUV with an automatic gearbox? I don’t need a huge family car but I do need plenty of space/seats that can fold flat/recline and easy access to the boot). Need heated seats, mirrors, cameras, easy to drive but solid enough that it’s not going to breakdown or require a lot of maintenance. I have no idea where to begin. Thank you. "

Take a look at the new Ford Puma. It's our favourite small crossover on the market today - good to drive, versatile and will be cheap to run. It's available as a mild-hybrid, too, although don't let that influence your decision too much - it can't drive on electric power alone and the impact on efficiency is minimal. Also consider the excellent Skoda Kamiq or Peugeot 2008. If you'd prefer something a bit bigger, we'd recommend a Peugeot 3008 or Skoda Karoq.

Answered by Andrew Brady

Can you recommend a good crossover with a heated windscreen?

"I’m looking to change my SEAT Leon for a higher seating position. The only criteria I have is I would like a quick clearing front windscreen. What would you recommend? Many thanks."

The SEAT Ateca's a very good SUV, which is also available with a heated windscreen. If you want something smaller, consider the excellent Ford Puma.

Answered by Dan Powell

On the inside of an Ford Puma (2020)

For a small crossover SUV that leads on style and driving dynamics, the Puma is very practical. The boot can take an impressive 456 litres of luggage - that’s more than a Focus - and access is a useful metre wide. There’s a bit of a lip for hoisting things over - not great if you regularly carry heavy items or need to transport a dog - but that’s a price you pay for choosing a crossover over an estate car.

Not only is there an adjustable boot floor, there’s also a very handy square luggage area underneath. Ford calls this the ‘megabox’. With its 80-litre capacity it can transport a surprising amount, while its hard-wearing lining means it’s useful for carrying things like muddy boots or vegetables from the allotment. There’s even a drain plug so you can hose it out if required.

Ford’s also proud of its clever tailgate-mounted parcel shelf. This doesn’t get in the way when loading bulky items in the same way as a regular parcel shelf.

Up front, the Puma’s cabin is very similar to the Fiesta’s. There are a few hard plastics here and there to remind you you’re driving a Ford rather than something more premium (the handle for the glove box, for example), but by and large the finish is excellent.

A combination of increased ground clearance and higher-mounted seats mean you'll sit 60mm higher than in a Fiesta, giving you a good view of the road ahead - the reason many people buy crossovers like the Puma.

Digital dials with crisp, clear graphics are standard on ST-Line and ST-Line X models. There's also an eight-inch digital screen in the centre of the dash, providing access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is an easy and responsive enough system to use.

There's a reasonable amount of space in the rear, although it is slightly claustrophobic - especially for children, thanks to the rising window line.

In terms of standard equipment, the Puma is generously equipped. There isn't a low-spec entry-level model - the cheapest you can buy is the Titanium, which comes with highlights such as 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and the aforementioned eight-inch touchscreen navigation system.

Standard equipment (from launch):

Titanium models feature black 17-inch alloy wheels, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, front fog lights with cornering lights and LED rear lamps, leather steering wheel, cruise control with lane keeping aid and lane departure warning, wireless phone charging pad, automatic headlights with rain-sensing wipers and automatic high beam, Ford SYNC 3 navigation with eight-inch display, DAB radio, BlueTooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, rear parking sensors, alarm, Quickclear heated windscreen, lumbar massage seats (driver and passenger), selectable drive modes, folding exterior door mirrors with puddle lights, pre-collision assist, centre console with armrest.

ST-Line adds an ST-Line bodykit with large rear spoiler and sports suspension, flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and aluminium gear knob (manual only), digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, manual air conditioning, alloy sports pedals, front and rear floor mats.

ST-Line X features 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, electronic air temperature control, B&O premium audio system, driver and passenger seat lumber and height adjust, partial leather trim, carbon-look interior highlights.

Child seats that fit a Ford Puma (2020)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Driving Ford Puma (2020)

Ford makes a big deal out of the Puma being offered with mild hybrid engines. While the Puma isn't a true hybrid like the Toyota C-HR, it uses a belt-driven generator to recuperate energy normally lost during braking or coasting.

As well as a small fuel economy benefit, this also provides a minor boost in performance - particularly before the turbocharger kicks in, reducing the lag traditionally associated with turbocharged cars. It also allows the engine to switch off as you come to a halt, although don't expect to travel any meaningful distance under electric power.

The Puma's initially sold with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine available with 125 or 155PS. The lower-powered unit is available with or without the mild hybrid system, while the 155 model comes exclusively as a mild hybrid.

The more powerful model is easy to recommend - it's actually very fun to drive, with plentiful performance combined with a characterful three-cylinder soundtrack. It'll cover 0 to 62mph in 9.0 seconds, quicker than equivalent three-cylinder rivals - although it feels even more sprightly than that.

The 125PS model will be sufficient for most drivers, though. And no matter which engine you choose, the manual gear change is delightful, with a slick change and light clutch.

The Puma also corners exceptionally well. It's just like the Fiesta, with keen handling and little in the way of body lean. There's a lot of grip on offer and the steering is delightful, providing a huge amount of feedback. You don't have to drive the Puma hard to appreciate how good it is to drive, even at low speeds it's easy to place and its agility adds to the fun factor around town.

There's a little bit of wind noise at motorway speeds, but nothing more than you'd expect from a crossover SUV. Its ride is a little on the firm side, too - if you're after comfort, you might be better with a Volkswagen T-Roc.

Selectable drive modes are standard across the range, giving you the ability to select between Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Trail. These are pretty pointless, though - a manual gearbox and passive suspension means the only real giveaway that you've changed drive mode is a change in the display on the instrument cluster.

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Model History

• April 2019: Ford teases Puma crossover SUV
• October 2019: Ford Puma priced from £20,845
• June 2020: Automatic gearbox and ST-Line Vignale X model added to Puma line-up
• June 2020: Seven-speed auto added to 125PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost.