FORD PUMA (CROSSOVER)

OVERVIEW

Manufacturer: Ford

Production: 2019–present

Assembly: Romania: Craiova (Ford Romania)

• Body and Chassis

Class: Subcompact crossover SUV (B)

Body style: 5-door SUV

Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

Platform: Ford global B-car platform

Related: Ford Fiesta (seventh generation)

• Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2,588 mm (101.9 in) [1]

Length: 4,186 mm (164.8 in)[2]

Width: 1,805 mm (71.1 in)

Height: 1,537 mm (60.5 in)

Kerb weight: 1,205 kg (2,657 lb)

HISTORY

The Ford Puma is a subcompact crossover SUV marketed by Ford since 2019. It is considered an SUV equivalent of the seventh-generation Fiesta. The vehicle is only available for the European and Australasian markets, with sales starting in Europe from 2019 and sales in Australasia from the end of 2020. In the European market, the Puma sits above the EcoSport and below the Kuga (also called Escape outside Europe).

DESIGN

• Driving position and dashboard

The Ford Puma’s standard seats, fitted to Titanium models, lack a bit of side support but are otherwise comfy and even have a massaging function as well as adjustable lumbar support – many small SUVs, including the Juke, don’t even offer the latter. Go for sportier ST-Line trim and you’ll have to forgo your massage, but you’ll still get lumbar adjustment along with thicker side bolsters that cradle you tightly in the corners.

All models have seat-height adjustment and plenty of movement to get the steering wheel just where you need it, no matter what your shape or size. Some people might find the gear lever is set a little low down, though.

You’re not sitting quite as far above the road as you would be in the Volkswagen T-Roc, but you are far higher up in the Puma than in, say, a hatchback, like the Ford Fiesta; or some other small SUVs, for that matter, such as the Skoda Kamiq. And the Puma’s dashboard is easy to get the hang of, thanks in part to the chunky, intuitive controls for the air-conditioning.

• Visibility, parking sensors and cameras

Depending on your driving position, you might find that the aggressively angled front pillars block some of your view at junctions and roundabouts. Visibility out of the back of the Puma isn’t brilliant, either; blame the rising window line and the chunky rear pillars for that.

• Sat nav and infotainment

All trim levels come with an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system, with DAB radio, built-in sat-nav and a couple of USB ports. You also get a wireless charging pad, so you can charge compatible smartphones easily.

True, the operating system isn’t as user-friendly as the equivalent in the Kamiq, T-Cross or T-Roc, and the touchscreen sometimes takes a while to respond after you’ve pressed it. However, all things considered, it’s a better infotainment system than the one you get in the Nissan Juke and far better than the Peugeot 2008’s.

Go for ST-Line X or ST-Line Vignale trim and the standard seven-speaker sound system is replaced by a really punchy 10-speaker B&O setup.

• Quality

The Puma’s interior is dressed a little more lavishly than the Volkswagen T-Cross’s and T-Roc’s. They have primarily hard, unforgiving plastics inside, whereas the Puma has some pleasingly squidgy surfaces on the dashboard and the tops of its doors. ST-Line X models even have some faux carbon-fibre highlights as well as part-leather seats, while the range-topping ST-Line Vignale has full-leather seats.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE PUMA

Ford first announced the Puma crossover at its event Go Further in Amsterdam, along with the introduction of the third-generation Kuga. The Puma nameplate was last used on the Puma sport compact. The vehicle is based on the seventh-generation Fiesta platform (Ford Global B-car platform).

The Puma is offered with a mild hybrid 1.0 litre EcoBoost three cylinder turbo gasoline engine with a belt driven integrated starter, which uses energy from the braking system to charge the forty eight volt lithium ion battery pack in order to increase torque and lower emissions. Power is rated at 153 bhp (155 PS), 114 kW, and 240 N⋅m (180 lb⋅ft) with an additional 50 N⋅m (37 lb⋅ft) from the integrated starter system.

In terms of size and price, its closest rivals are the big-selling Nissan Juke, Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Roc. However, unlike those cars, the Puma has the kind of mild hybrid engine technology that you’d usually expect to find in a much more expensive car, allowing it to combine nippy acceleration with remarkably thrifty fuel economy.

If you want serious performance there’s a hot version called the Puma ST, which borrows its engine from the brilliant Fiesta ST hot hatch and has bespoke suspension to help it fly around corners. You can read all about that in our dedicated Puma ST review.

The vehicle was named “Car of the Year” by What Car? in January 2020.

HOW TO MAINTANCE OF YOUR PUMA?

• Maintain your engine

Maintaining your vehicle properly helps it lasts longer and run more efficiently. An oil and filter change is important, and should be done frequently.

Learn more about the benefits of scheduling maintenance at your dealership.

• Repair your exterior

If you are in an accident, promptly file an insurance claim and use the claim money to repair the damage as soon as possible. Waiting can allow rust to set in, leading to other more serious problems.

• Drive smart

Avoid aggressive driving, which can damage your vehicle and may decrease its resale value. Refrain from jackrabbit starts, fast stops, speeding and weaving through traffic, as well. Following these recommendations can help keep your brakes, engine, tires and suspension from wearing prematurely – and even help improve your fuel economy.

• Keep complete service records

Keep complete service and maintenance records, along with any other receipts for parts and accessories, so you can show prospective buyers that your vehicle is well cared for.

Source: wikipedia, whatcar, topgear.