By Ian Strachan.
Ford’s excellent small SUV, the Puma, was the first small Ford to get mild hybrid power, with its three-cylinder one litre EcoBoost engine assisted by an electric motor and 48v battery for better economy.
But for those who want a fun driving experience in an exciting performance car, the mild hybrid engine set-up is available in the Ford Puma ST. The result is an engaging, agile and responsive small SUV which you can drive with a smile on your face.
The Puma ST is a nicely-designed, roomy and stylish offering, using good trim materials and a fair bit of technology.
Ford’s Fiesta-based SUV – its shares its underpinnings with the Fiesta ST – certainly seems bigger than it actually is. Ford’s designers have come up with a nicely rounded profile for the Puma, and the addition of 19 inch five-spoke alloy wheels and red brake calipers give it a purposeful look. A deep grille and rear spoiler further improve its exterior look.
This Puma ST mHEV is also great value, undercutting many of its rivals. The Ouma ST which I tested, with a 1.0 litre EcoBoost 170bhp engine linked to a seven-speed automatic gearbox comes at £31,760 on the road.
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 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster with a touchscreen for satnav and in-car entertainment. You get keyless ignition, sports suspension, LED signature headlights and front fog lights with cornering feature, heated, folding door mirrors with puddle lamps, cruise control, lane keeping aid and lane departure warning, wireless phone charging pad and heated windscreen.
You also get comfortable sports seats, an engine sound enhancer, selectable driving modes for normal, eco, sport and slippery, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beam headlights and a ten-speaker premium audio system.
Interior space is good, and can be further improved with the folding rear seat. This spec comes with the Ford MegaBox extended bootspace.
This version can return 44.8 mpg in combined driving. Top speed, where allowed, is 130 mph ad its 0-60 time is just over seven seconds.
Ride and handling are good, and despite its relative height it is flat and stable around corners. Suspension is stiff, which can be an issue on the pot-holed and crumbling roads we have to put up with it. It can be a bumpy ride.
My test vehicle came with striking Azura Blue paintwork (£525), and a driver assistance pack at £650 which radar and camera park assist, active braking, and a rear view camera.
It’s difficult to fault this offering from Ford which is certainly an improvement on earlier models, and comes at a keen price.
