Ford Puma - TopCarNews

Ford Puma (2020 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Ford Puma is a small SUV/crossover, which was unveiled in 2019 and arrived in the UK in early 2020. It is a similar size to the existing Ford EcoSport but does not directly replace it.

The Puma has received consistently good reviews from the UK motoring media, and its Expert Rating of 77% (as of January 2022) is currently the best score for a supermini-sized SUV or crossover that we have analysed to date.

This scored has slipped slightly from its peak last year as more UK-spec reviews on local roads have been published, as opposed to reviews made at the car’s international launch. We will continue updating this page as more reviews are added.

The Ford Puma has been praised for an outstanding driving experience and surprising practicality, especially in its boot capacity and layout. However, its styling hasn’t been universally well-received, and the interior quality isn’t as good as some of its rivals.

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol mild hybrid
Price: From £22,045 on-road

Launched: Winter 2019/20Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The new Ford Puma hits the right notes and is precisely what you’d expect of the brand, blending practicality and affordability into a package that’s good to drive.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol automatic ST-Line VignaleScore: 6 / 10“The seven-speed auto doesn’t really fit with the Ford Puma’s sporty character, and we’d only recommend it if you must have a self-shifter. Adding Vignale extras to ST-Line X spec seems an extravagance, too, unless you really need all the creature comforts it provides.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The historic Puma badge now adorns a baby SUV with a choice of 1.0-litre petrol engines and hybrid tech, that rivals the likes of the Audi Q2, Nissan Juke, BMW X1, VW T-Cross and Skoda Kamiq.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol automatic ST-Line X VignaleScore: 6 / 10“New dual-clutch gearbox isn’t the greatest addition to an otherwise very commendable car and range-topping Vignale trim is best avoided, too.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“Much as the completeness of its dynamic performance impresses, the Ford Puma is just a little bit plain and ordinary in terms of on-board technology and perceived quality and it doesn’t excel for fuel economy quite as you might imagine a modern hybrid might.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0T 125 TitaniumScore: 8 / 10“For pure driver enjoyment, the Puma leads the way in the compact crossover class.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line XScore: 8 / 10“The Ford Puma is a distinguished newcomer in an undistinguished class, and ticks the usual boxes with a flourish each time. Ford’s crossover is the most fun to drive, extremely eye-catching and packing a really sweet powertrain if you stump up for a mild-hybrid.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line XScore: 10 / 10“The market might not have demanded yet another crossover, but this is undoubtedly one of the best small crossovers to date, and it sits right at the forefront of this sector. It’s impressively practical and also great to drive – two things that can’t be said about much of the competition.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.4 / 10“The Ford Puma is the best small SUV to drive and represents good value but its looks are divisive”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Ford Puma is fun to drive and comes with super-practical boot, but it isn’t quite as comfortable as some less grin-inducing alternatives and you don’t sit up high like in most SUVs.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line XScore: 7.9 / 10“No matter what you think of the name, or to some extent the looks, the Ford Puma is a great little car underneath – fine-handling, practical and very efficient.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Titanium“Excellent small crossover addition that propels Ford into competitiveness for the first time in a rapidly growing segment.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line XScore: 8 / 10“New compact SUV puts the boot into rivals.”
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Fleetworld

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Not a cheap option but the Ford Puma is great to drive, should be cheap to run and certainly looks sharp compared to rivals. Could the B-SUV class have a new leader?”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“With frisky engines, sharp styling and impressive kit levels, the Ford Puma sits proudly at the top of the small SUV sector. You’ll pay more for one compared to the budget Ford EcoSport, but there’s a very good reason for that.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 10 / 10“There’s not much going against the Ford Puma. Not everyone will appreciate its looks, while it looks pricey alongside the EcoSport, you get what you pay for – and it’s certainly no more expensive than the likes of the Volkswagen T-Roc and Peugeot 2008.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.8 / 10“Best handling small SUV is surprisingly practical too”
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The Intercooler

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual 155hp ST-Line XScore: 8 / 10“The Ford Puma has, by a distance, the best ride and handling of any car of this kind I’ve driven, which is good news in its own right and augurs well for the ST version to come. And that little motor is as charming as ever.”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: ST“The Ford Puma ST is a highly useful, highly entertaining car.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual“How does the Ford Puma compare against crossover rivals like the revamped Nissan Juke, VW T-Cross or Kia Stonic? You’d be happy in any of them but the Puma has that magic MegaBox, excellent standard kit, hybrid tech and the best handling by some distance.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line XScore: 8 / 10“Big-booted crossover delivers smart looks and hatchback-like handling”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual TitaniumScore: 10 / 10“As we’ve already mentioned, we really rather like the Ford Puma. However, what we hadn’t yet discovered was the best news of all: the best version is also the most affordable.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST LineScore: 10 / 10“After a glut of quite ordinary cars rushed into this burgeoning sector by a host of manufacturers, the new breed of second-generation vehicles are really quite good. Yet the Ford Puma takes this several steps further, with a specification and luggage capacity that rivals struggle to match and a driving quality which surpasses them all.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“It’s an impressively rounded thing. Its combination of an interesting engine, strong cornering and dignified ride are hard to match in the class, and the interior is cleverly versatile as well as nicely furnished.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 10 / 10“With its agile cornering and surprisingly nippy performance, the Ford Puma will put a bigger smile on your face than any other small SUV. But it’s a car you can buy with your sensible hat on, too.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“Creative practicality combined with a superb drive make the Ford Puma one of the early gifts of 2020.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2019

94%

ADULT OCCUPANT

84%

CHILD OCCUPANT

77%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

74%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

The Ford Puma has a very competitive set of safety scores, particularly for adult (front seat) and child (rear seat) protection. Scores for vulnerable road user (pedestrian and cyclist) protection and safety assistance systems (to help you avoid an accident in the first place) are also above average for the small SUV sector.

Eco rating

Independent emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.0-litre petrol manual
Date tested: September 2021

4.8 / 10

CLEAN AIR INDEX

6.1 / 10

ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDEX

5.1 / 10

GREENHOUSE GAS INDEX

Read full Green NCAP review

Security rating

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Pass

Date: 2019

The Ford Puma performed well in Thatcham’s testing programme to measure anti-theft protection. A Superior rating is the highest score, and the Puma also pass the new relay attack test, which measures the security of a car’s keyless entry and/or keyless start system. This means that the Puma is resistant to thieves intercepting the car’s keyless signal and using it to steal the car.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Ford Puma has received

2022

What Car? Awards – Best Small SUV

2021

UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Small Crossover
Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Car of the Year + Best Compact Crossover
What Car? Awards – Best Small SUV
Auto Trader New Car Awards – Most Loved Car
Fleet News Awards – Best Company SUV
Parkers New Car Awards – Best Small Family Car
Business Car Awards – Best Comapct SUV

2020

Parkers New Car Awards – New Car of the Year + Best Small Family Car
What Car? Awards – Car of the Year + Best Small SUV
Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Car of the Year
Autocar Awards – Game Changer Award
The News UK Motor Awards – Best Small SUV/crossover
Business Car Awards – New Company Car of the Year + Best Compact SUV

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