If you’ve been living under a rock, you may have missed the Ford Puma’s debut. But it must have been a massive rock because the presence of the Puma is anything but small. There is so much to it that makes the compact crossover a must-have but be warned – it does not come cheap.
The Puma is touted by many as the replacement for the EcoSport. Yet, Ford’s intention was to introduce a car that has ‘an unmissable silhouette, uncompromised load space and interior comfort,’ all of which the Ecosport somewhat lacked. Instead, it is closer to the Fiesta.
The Ford Puma is a refreshing offering from the manufacturer. Generally, I find that there is a disconnect between smaller vehicles from Ford and their larger, premium vehicles. The only passenger vehicle from Ford that I drove previously that met its price was, interestingly, the Fiesta. Thus, it was a welcome difference to find that the Puma offers drivers some of the perks that come with vehicles like the Ranger or Everest.
The design
Design alone makes it a mistake to see the Puma as a replacement of the Ford EcoSport. When you put the Puma and the EcoSport side-by-side, it is clear you are dealing with a completely new vehicle.
The Puma is a revolution in design compared to what previously came from the brand. It is stauncher, completely distinctive (as they intended) and sportier than any passenger vehicle from them before.
This may incite heated debate but for me, at first glance before closer inspection, it gives Porsche vibes. Especially from the front, the Puma seems to have taken some design cues from Porsche.
The front design is bold, with large grills and gills below, accompanied by chrome accents that Ford has cleverly integrated with the design of the daytime running lights. These lights look like pencil strokes inside the headlamps—quite the artistic touch.
We enjoyed the self-dimming and brightening feature, similar to what is experienced in the Ford Everest. It makes navigating dark areas a breeze without constantly fiddling with the light stalk.
The sporty body kit extends to the rear, with matte-finished LED taillights, something you will find in many premium vehicles currently. The sharper angles at the rear, combined with slightly buffed-out arches running from front to back, give it an aggressive look. It is fantastic, but there was slight disappointment in the fake tailpipes.
The 18-inch wheels that come with the tested vehicle, the ST-Line Vignale, not only look great but also contributes to a sportier ride. Combined with the suspension, it is intended to create a more dynamic ride compared to the Titanium version.
Ultimately, the Puma grabs attention like few other vehicles in this segment ever attracted. Heads actually turn as you pass. Feedback is similar and Ford successfully creates the perception that it is a much sportier vehicle than what it really is.
The drive
Usually, we like to talk about the drive of a vehicle first, but the perception created by the exterior of the vehicle may create higher expectations. The Ford Puma is energetic and responsive and is a pleasure to drive whether on open highway or in traffic. This was unexpected because the power delivery is the same as certain EcoSport models which did not have the same level of responsiveness.
It is equipped with a 1-litre turbocharged, 3-cylinder engine—similar to some EcoSport models as mentioned—which does not quite match its sporty exterior. While it’s not big on power, offering just 92 kW and 170 Nm, it’s paired with a smooth 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. This is where the difference comes in.
For its over 500k price tag, I would expect more power. While we cannot say the drive was disappointing, viewed in combination to its price – it may be a mistake not giving it a more powerful drive. Irrespective of how sporty and forward-thinking the design is, would drivers choose it over a hot hatch like the Polo GTI which comes in at a very similar price point?
This small engine makes sense in an era of sky-high fuel prices, but don’t hope for Ford’s claimed 5.3L/100km. During our time with the Puma, Costa averaged between 7.6 and 7.9L/100km, while Sam managed to get it down to 7.4L/100km. Costa’s ‘heavy foot’ likely pushed the consumption up significantly but it is highly doubtful we could have achieved their claimed figures even with the most economic of driving.
The Puma offers five driving modes. While the sport mode adds some excitement, the trail mode was particularly enjoyable during an off-roading trip in Pretoria. The Puma handled the gravel roads with ease, which was a pleasant surprise. Claims of handling ‘off-road’ are normally singularly based on higher ride heights making these claims often not accurate – not so in the Puma, however.
Stepping inside
This is where the Puma truly shines. Remember, it is a premium offering from Ford, so expect soft-touch materials and fewer plastics. The fake carbon fiber accents around the cluster and air vents might seem misplaced but it does not detract from the overall upscale feel.
Space-wise, it is not as large inside as what one would expect looking from the outside. The Puma is suitable for most drivers but taller passengers might find the rear leg and headroom a bit cramped.
The Puma, however, remains practical with 456 liters of boot space. It comfortably fits luggage for a family of three. There is an option to open up the flooring and clip it behind the back seats, adding extra space just above the spare wheel. Even without doing this, however, it has a good sized boot for a crossover.
Tech and comfort lives up to expectation. The Puma has lumbar massage seats in the ST-Line Vignale with three intensity settings and adjustable rolling directions. It also has sports seats trimmed in partial leather with Metal Grey stitching. The effect is an interior that exucdes comfort and luxury.
A standout feature is the well-built 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system in the ST-Line. The car’s insulation keeps the sound contained, so you can crank the volume without blowing your eardrums.
It includes an externally coupled subwoofer integrated into the boot without taking luggage space. The tweeter positions are optimised to produce a wider sound stage at seating level, delivering an enveloping listening experience for all occupants. The system is powered by a 575-watt Digital Signal Processing Amplifier controlling equalisation and audio mixing with selectable surround sound.
The Puma has wireless charging. In the centre cubby there is also a C-Port which in one sense is useful as a result of the tray in the cubby but in another is akward when trying to quickly plug your cord in. There is, however, a USB port next to the wireless charger.
At times the infotainment screen falls victim to catching the glare and making it difficult to see what is displayed on the screen.
Unfortunately, rear passengers also miss out on air vents and USB ports which are notable omissions. A plus is that the netting over the sunroof can be opened by the rear passengers without relying on the driver.
Other tech includes an 8-inch infotainment screen with the SYNC3 system that responds to pinch and swipe gestures, climate control, full-length opening panorama roof (optional), electronic tailgate, fully digital instrument cluster, sport suspension, advanced driver assistance technologies (depending on model), hands-free tailgate technology (ST-Line), auto stop/start, start button, voice commands, satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Safety
The Ford Puma comes with a wide array of safety features which also gives it a step ahead of other crossovers:
- ABS
- ESC
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go lane centering (optional driver assistance package)
- Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking (optional driver assistance package)
- Blind spot monitoring with Cross Traffic Alert (optional driver assistance package)
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Lane-keeping aid
- 180-degree split-view camera
- Traffic sign recognition
- Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Post-Collision Braking technology helps reduce the impact of a potential secondary collision
- LED headlights
- Road Edge Detection functionality
- Front parking sensors and a rear wide-angle camera (optional driver assistance package)
- Driver Impairment Monitor (optional driver assistance package)
The Ford Puma is a brilliant piece of American engineering but its price tag may give you pause. Expect to pay over R500 000 for both the Titanium (R569 900) and ST-Line (R613 900) models. Compared to other options in the market, the Puma stands out coming from a trusted brand with over 100 years of vehicle engineering. While it is a great crossover, the price might be a bit steep for the value it offers.
Good to know
The specs
Engine: 1L, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Power: 92 kW
Torque: 170 Nm
Fuel consumption: 5.3L/100km (claimed)
Price: starting at R569 900
Warranty and service plan: 4-year/120 000km warranty and service or maintenance plans up to 8 years or 135 000 km, sold separately.
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