By Ian Strachan.
The latest Ford Puma is proof that it’s possible to combine sportiness and practicality in the same car without compromising either. The Puma is sporty in looks and performance, while the Ford “Megabox” under the boot floor is a massive empty space for 80-litres of luggage, on top of the space behind the rear seats or with rear seats folded.
Ford’s excellent compact crossover was the first small Ford to get mild hybrid power, with its three-cylinder one litre EcoBoost engine assisted by an electric motor and battery for better economy.
For those who want a fun driving experience in an exciting performance car, I can recommend the Puma ST-Line X that I test drove. It’s an engaging, agile and responsive small SUV which you can drive with a smile on your face.
And it looks good, with a strong design that looks as if it means business. My test car was helped by a head-turning Cactus Grey premium paint finish (£800 option). Overall, this is a nicely-designed, roomy and stylish offering using good trim materials, including synthetic leather, and a fair bit of technology.
Ford’s designers have come up with an attractive profile for the Puma, rounded at the front but slightly angular at the back. Its good looks are helped by 18 inch machine-finished alloy wheels. A deep grille and large rear high-level spoiler further improve its exterior look.
This Puma ST-Line X mHEV is also great value, undercutting many of its rivals. The Puma I tested, with a 1.0 litre EcoBoost 125bhp engine linked to a seven-speed automatic gearbox comes at £30,600 on the road. Extras on my test car, apart from the £800 paint finish, included heated front seats and steering wheel (£350), a driver assistance pack (£950), matrix LED headlamps (£800) and a powered panoramic roof (£1,000)
The Puma has a quality feel to it inside and out. Pumas of the past had plastic-laden unsophisticated interiors, but this Puma has high quality trim materials. You also get a 12.8 inch digital instrument cluster with a 12-inch touchscreen for satnav and in-car entertainment. You get keyless ignition, sports suspension, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights and LED rear lamps, heated, folding door mirrors with Puma design puddle lights, cruise control with intelligent speed assist, lane keeping aid and lane departure warning, wireless phone charging pad and heated windscreen.
You also get rear camera with rear parking sensors, a powered tailgate, selectable driving modes for normal, eco, sport and slippery, rain-sensing wipers, wireless charging pad, automatic high-beam headlights and a 10-speaker premium audio system.
The steering wheel is an elliptical shape with a flat top and bottom, a bit redolent of Austin Allegros of old. It takes a little getting used to but at least it forces you to hold the steering wheel properly.
This version can return 49.6 mpg in combined driving. Top speed, where allowed, is 118 mph ad its 0-60 time is just over nine seconds.
Ride and handling are good, and despite its relative height it is flat and stable around corners. Suspension is quite stiff, which can be an issue on the pot-holed and crumbling roads we have to put up with it.
It’s difficult to fault this offering from Ford which is a progressive improvement on earlier models, and comes at a keen price.
