Item: Ford Puma ST
Rating: 5
Author: What Car? Team

Our favourite engine. With 153bhp, it can hit 60mph from a standstill in just 8.5sec, making it as nippy as much pricier small SUVs, such as the Audi Q2 35 TFSI. Fuel economy is barely any worse than than entry-level 1.0 Ecoboost mHEV 125 – in our True MPG test it averaged 45.1mpg.

1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid mHEV 155

Hatchback

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

PUMA

Upgrading to ST-Line trim (over Titanium) brings sportier styling and a swaps the conventional instrument dials behind the steering wheel for a whopping great 12.3in digital display. However, you lose the Titanium's climate control and instead have to make do with manual air-conditioning, which simply blows warm or cool air on demand rather than maintaining your chosen interior temperature.


ST-Line

1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid mHEV 155 ST-Line 5dr

10-ecoboost-hybrid-mhev-155-st-line-5dr

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Aston Martin DBX

Audi RS Q3

Audi RS Q8

Audi SQ2

Audi SQ5

Audi SQ7

Audi SQ8

BMW X2 M35i

BMW X4 M Competition

Cupra Ateca

Ford Puma ST

Hyundai Kona N

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Lamborghini Urus

Mercedes GLC 63 AMG

Mini Countryman JCW

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne Coupe

Porsche Macan

Skoda Kodiaq vRS

Volkswagen T-Roc R

Volkswagen Tiguan R

Volkswagen Touareg R

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

Let’s not beat around the bush, the Puma ST is significantly cheaper than almost every other similarly sized <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/sports-suv">Sports SUV</a>, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x2/hatchback/review/n121">BMW X2 M35i</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/formentor/estate/review/n22100">Cupra Formentor</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/countryman/hatchback/review/n71">Mini Countryman John Cooper Works</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n20444">Volkswagen T-Roc R</a>. Even if you tick the options boxes for Ford’s Mean Green metallic paint and the must-have Performance Pack, you’ll still be getting a car that’s at least a few thousand pounds cheaper than the competition.&nbsp;

And although the Puma ST sits in a relatively high 36%&nbsp; benefit in kind bracket, that's still 1% below the aforementioned rivals, and the ST's significantly lower purchase price guarantees much lower monthly <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/company-car-tax-bands/n1255">company car</a> tax payments.

It’s also immensely well equipped, coming as standard with 19in alloy wheels, wireless charging, a heated windscreen, heated sports seats and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel.

Ford ranked 18th out of 31 brands in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n20069">2020 What Car? Reliability Survey</a> – one place above Seat and two places above Volkswagen. Mini did significantly better, finishing in 4th place.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Like the standard Puma, the ST comes with all the modern preventative safety aids you’d expect, including <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">automatic emergency braking</a> (with pedestrian detection), lane-keeping assistance and tyre pressure monitoring. Blind spot assistance and a couple of other safety aids come as part of the driver assistance pack.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/euro-ncap-safety-ratings-2019-%E2%80%93-how-safe-is-your-car/n17044">Euro NCAP</a> awarded the standard Puma five stars (out of five) for safety, although a closer look at the scores reveals that the T-Roc is fractionally better at protecting child and adult occupants in a crash. Meanwhile, to keep would-be thieves at bay, the ST comes with a Thatcham category one alarm and immobiliser.

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As we mentioned earlier, under the bonnet of the Puma ST lies the same 197bhp 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta-st/hatchback/review/n140">Ford Fiesta ST</a>, but with torque boosted from 214lb ft to 236lb ft. Ford claims that this extra grunt allows the Puma to match the Fiesta’s 0-62mph time of 6.7sec, and we’ve no reason to doubt it. The engine is pleasingly muscular from low revs and develops power in a nice linear fashion.

The standard six-speed manual gearbox, which has a short shift action and well-chosen gear ratios, helps you get the very best out of the characterful engine and adds an extra layer of interaction that’s missing from larger and more expensive rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/formentor/estate/review/n22100">Cupra Formentor</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n20444">Volkswagen T-Roc R</a> with their dual-clutch automatic gearboxes.&nbsp;

But the real highlight of the Puma ST is its handling. To help counteract the Puma’s higher centre of gravity compared with the Fiesta, its steering response has been made 25% quicker than the regular Puma’s and its suspension has been stiffened. Ford’s engineers certainly know what they’re doing, because the Puma ST is more agile and adjustable mid-corner than any SUV has the right to be.

Like the smaller Fiesta, it will pivot progressively around its front wheels if you back off the accelerator pedal mid-bend, allowing you to position it perfectly for corner exit. And while the steering isn’t brimming with feel filtering up from the front tyres, it’s weighty, precise and allows you to place the front end exactly where you want it on the road. All in all, it’s far more entertaining than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/ateca/estate/review/n17969">Cupra Ateca</a>, T-Roc R and most other pricier rivals.

We’d also suggest you spring for the optional Performance Pack (an entirely reasonable £950) as you’ll also benefit from super sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and a Quaife limited-slip differential – this clever bit of kit gives you extra traction on the way out of corners, and that’s handy when you have nearly 200bhp at your disposal. Unusually for a Sports SUV, four-wheel drive isn’t even an option, although you’ll only miss that should you decide to venture off the beaten track.

As for usability, despite its improved athleticism, the Puma ST is not a particularly demanding car to drive. You can feel the optional limited-slip differential working away to drag the nose into apexes, but there’s none of the skittishness under power that requires you to hold on tight like quick Fords of old. And while it’s rather firm, never quite settling down around town, once you get some speed into the car the suspension starts to breathe with the road.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

Under the bonnet of the Puma ST lies the same 197bhp 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine as the Fiesta ST, but with torque boosted from 214lb ft to 236lb ft. Ford claims that this extra grunt allows the Puma to match the Fiesta’s 0-62mph time of 6.7sec, and we’ve no reason to doubt it. The engine is pleasingly muscular from low revs and develops power in a nice linear fashion. 


http://example.com

1.5 EcoBoost

15-ecoboost

As every amateur football player knows, when you're buying a new set of boots, you’re probably best staying clear of colours that make you a target – you know, the lime greens, hot pinks and medallion golds. Because to wear such a colour means you have to at least back it up with a performance worthy of Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch.&nbsp;

It’s much the same with picking a hue for your new car, and in the case of the launch colour of the Ford Puma ST, Mean Green, it has in effect just strapped on a pair of luminous Nike Superfly football boots. So, is this a classic case of “all the gear, no idea”, or does the latest addition to Ford's lineup of ST performance models have the moves to back up its Incredible Hulk paint job?

Well, the Puma ST is closely related to two five-star cars: the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>&nbsp;SUV (obviously) and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta-st/hatchback/review/n140">Ford Fiesta ST</a>&nbsp;hot hatch, so in theory, what we should have here is a more practical, family-friendly version of one of our favourite pocket rockets. Under the bonnet lies the same 197bhp 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine as the Fiesta ST, but with torque boosted from 214lb ft to 236lb ft. And as with the Fiesta, drive is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.&nbsp;

All of that extra grunt would be for nothing, however, if this taller car wasn’t entertaining in the bends. So, to ensure that the Puma ST feels as agile as the smaller Fiesta hatch, it also benefits from a faster-acting steering, stiffer suspension, beefier anti-roll bars, an optional mechanical limited-slip differential and trick Michelin tyres developed specifically for Ford.&nbsp;

If that all sounds rather serious by ‘hot SUV’ standards, well, it is –&nbsp; Ford sees the Puma ST as a car intended more for Fiesta ST owners whose families have grown out of their cars, rather than a performance SUV for posers. Which brings us neatly on to price. The Puma ST, despite its punchy performance, is significantly cheaper than more ‘premium’ rivals such as the all-wheel drive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/formentor/estate/review/n22100">Cupra Formentor</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n20444">Volkswagen T-Roc R</a>. Sounds compelling, right?

Over the next few pages we’ll compare how it performs against those rivals. And if your appetite for a Sports SUV has already been wetted, our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n22293">New Car Buying</a> service makes it an absolute cinch to find a great deal on your next set of wheels.

To match the swagger of its more aggressive body kit and rear roof spoiler, you get a pair of figure-hugging and supportive heated Recaro sports seats up front, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and plenty of ‘ST’ emblems dotted around the interior. Those seats are excellent, proving comfortable over long distances and holding you in place well during hard cornering.&nbsp;

Unsurprisingly you don’t sit quite as low as you do in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta-st/hatchback/review/n140">Ford Fiesta ST</a>, with a slightly elevated perch befitting its SUV nature. If you are looking for a loftier driving position, we’d point you towards the far pricier <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/ateca/estate/review/n17969">Cupra Ateca</a>, but the Puma’s driving position is fundamentally excellent. Both the steering wheel and pedals are perfectly aligned with the driver’s seat, and those pedals are placed closely together to give you a nice ‘racy’ feel.

The aggressively angled front pillars mean some drivers may find their view out of junctions slightly obscured, while the rising window line and thick rear pillars mean the rear view isn’t great, either. Thankfully auto LED headlights, auto wipers and crucially rear parking sensors are standard, with a rear camera and front parking sensors available as part of the driver assistance pack.&nbsp;

Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system is standard and comes with an 8.0in touchscreen and a wireless charging pad for your mobile phone. It isn't as slick as the T-Roc R’s system but, for the price point, is pretty decent: it has sharp graphics, lots of features (including <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>, a DAB radio and Bluetooth) and relatively simple menus. You even get a premium B&amp;O sound system as standard, boosting the sound quality of music on the go.&nbsp;

The infotainment system is augmented by a digital instrument panel in place of analogue dials. This is highly configurable and able to show you lots of useful information, including sat-nav mapping, the audio menus and trip computer.

In terms of interior quality, the Puma ST is rather impressive considering its list price. Key touch points such as the steering wheel and gear lever are wrapped in soft leather, the seats are finished in a grippy suede-like material and there are some pleasingly squidgy surfaces on the dashboard and tops of the doors. Granted, if you search lower down in the interior, you’ll find some flimsier materials, but there’s more plush plastic than you’ll find in the ‘premium’ T-Roc R and that car is significantly more expensive.

The ST comes as standard with 19in alloy wheels, Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, wireless charging, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a heated windscreen, heated Recaro sports seats and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel.


A classic performance car from Ford: fast, fun and fantastic value.&nbsp;

Unless you’re exceptionally tall, you’ll fit just fine in the front of the Puma ST. It's not as roomy as the physically larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n20444">Volkswagen T-Roc R</a>, mind, which has a few centimetres more head room, along with a slightly broader interior that provides more shoulder room between the driver and front passenger.

There’s plenty of stowage space, thanks to decent-sized door bins, a cubby in front of the gear lever, another one below the front armrest and a couple of cupholders between the front seats.

Despite the front seats being quite a bit beefier than the standard Puma pews, there's still plenty of leg room in the rear. However, if you’re six foot plus you’ll find that head room is a little more limited than in the T-Roc.&nbsp;

Like the standard Puma, the ST can accommodate six carry-on-sized suitcases in the main boot compartment and two underneath the boot floor thanks to Ford’s fantastic MegaBox system – an 80-litre storage area that has a plug hole in the bottom so it can be easily hosed down. That makes it quite a bit more accommodating than the T-Roc R, which can only carry five carry-on bags.&nbsp;

The rear bench folds in a 60/40 split, but there’s no option to slide or recline the rear seat, or to upgrade it to a more useful 40/20/40 split.

Not only is the Ford Puma ST one of the most exciting SUVs we’ve ever driven, it’s also immensely practical, comes packed with equipment and undercuts all of its main rivals on price. In other words, the Puma ST is a classic performance car from Ford: fast, fun and fantastic value, making it our favourite Sports SUV.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Precise, feelsome steering</li> <li>Agile, entertaining handling</li> <li>Reasonable ride comfort</li> <li>Smart and practical interior</li></ul>

Needing a&nbsp;practical load-lugger doesn't mean you need to scrimp on power and sporting prowess. In fact, most sporty manufacturers now have dedicated sports SUVs in their line-up with 0-62mph times to rival cars half their size.&nbsp;

Porsche, for example, offers two:&nbsp;the Macan and the Cayenne, both of which offer rapid performance and seriously impressive handling, as well as providing enough space for five people and a boot capable of fitting more than seven carry-on suitcases.&nbsp;

But even&nbsp;manufacturers not usually focused on track times are getting involved in this market. The Volkswagen T-Roc R is one of our favourites, too, with a 0-62mph time of 4.8sec&nbsp;and&nbsp;fuel economy of 31.5mpg. A sports SUV&nbsp;should satisfy anyone who doesn't want to trade speed for space.&nbsp;

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