Used Ford Puma 2019-present review

What's the used Ford Puma like?

If you're after transportation, buy a Ford Puma, not a Puma wild cat. As spectacular as they are, they can’t carry much luggage, they can’t do motorway speeds and there’s always the looming possibility that they’ll eat you.

The Ford Puma is devoid of these shortcomings and, not only would we recommend it over the wild cat of the same name, but we’d choose this small SUV over practically all of its used car rivals.

Overview

The Ford Puma is one of the benchmarks for used small SUVs, especially in regard to its unbeatable driving experience. The fact that it's affordable to buy and run helps, too. Only a question mark over its reliability lets it down slightly.

Pros

• Excellent to drive
• Practical, flexible boot
• Quick and economical

Cons

• Passenger space isn’t outstanding
• Reliability isn’t rock-solid
• Visibility could be better

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Ford Puma

1.0T EcoBoost MHEV Titanium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,477

Ford Puma

1.0T EcoBoost MHEV ST-Line X Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,795

Ford Puma

1.0T EcoBoost MHEV ST-Line X Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,995

Ford Puma

1.0T EcoBoost MHEV ST-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,995

Ford Puma

1.0T EcoBoost MHEV Titanium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,290

Ford PUMA

1.0T EcoBoost MHEV Titanium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,400

Ford Puma

1.0T EcoBoost MHEV Titanium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,495

Ford Puma

1.0T EcoBoost MHEV Titanium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,500

Ford PUMA HATCHBACK

1.0T EcoBoost MHEV ST-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,530

See all available cars

Engines & Performance: To start, we appreciate its simple yet successful engine range. There’s no weak spot, with your options being a 123bhp or 153bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine – badged Ecoboost 125 and 155 respectively. You can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed automatic gearbox as well.

The 123bhp Puma is no slouch. In our tests, it completed the 0-60mph sprint in a respectable 9.6sec. The engine pulls reasonably well from low revs and maintains cruising speed effortlessly, meaning many buyers won’t feel the need to spring for the 153bhp unit. We believe you’ll appreciate its extra poke, though. The 153bhp engine allows for 0-60mph in 8.5sec.

You’ll see the vast majority of Pumas have the letters ‘mHEV’ in their names. This signifies they have mild hybrid electrical assistance for a small boost in power and fuel economy.

Of course, if you want the utmost grunt (and driving thrills) from your Puma, you could always buy a used Ford Puma ST. It has a 197bhp 1.5-litre engine and a 0-62mph time of 6.7sec. A 168bhp 1.0-litre mild-hybrid is also available, but this version is considerably less fun and engaging to drive as its 1.5-litre counterpart.

Ride & Handling: In bends, the Puma delights – mechanically basing the model on the fun-to-drive Ford Fiesta has certainly paid off. By small SUV standards, it’s very nimble and you’ll notice this agility whether you’re merely scooting around a roundabout or flying down your favourite country lane.

To experience the Puma at its most entertaining (aside from the full-fat ST), you'll want an ST-Line version, as this features sports suspension to help reduce body lean when cornering. Although it provides a noticeable improvement over the entry-level Titanium, even that version darts into bends more eagerly than most of the competition.

The Puma’s sharp, nippy and fun driving experience does come at a small trade-off. You see, it can’t quite match the supple ride of some rivals, including the Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Roc. Don’t be put off, though: the Puma is far from a bone-shaker and the ride never gets uncomfortable.

Trims & Equipment: The previously mentioned Titanium trim isn’t exactly sparse on kit. It has 17in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, automatic air conditioning, heated door mirrors and rear parking sensors. ST-Line swaps the conventional instrument dials behind the steering wheel for a 12.3in digital display. It also gets more supportive seats.

ST-Line X has climate control and it also brings bigger 18in alloys for an even sportier look, along with privacy glass, part-leather seats and a great-sounding B&O sound system. Range-topping ST-Line Vignale gets full leather seats (heated in the front), a heated leather steering wheel and keyless entry.

In the Puma, you don't sit quite as far above the road as you do in the T-Roc, but you are much higher up than in some other small SUVs, including the Hyundai Bayon and Kamiq.

Interior & Practicality: Visibility out of the back of the Puma isn’t brilliant – blame the rising window line and the chunky rear pillars for that – and interior quality isn't on a par with some premium rivals, such as the Audi Q2, but there's still plenty to like. All the controls are logically laid out and easy to use, plus there are some soft-touch materials dotted around the place.

All Pumas come with an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system, with DAB radio, Bluetooth, built-in sat-nav and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring (so you can use your phone apps on the car's screen).

Although the Puma isn’t quite as spacious as a Kamiq or T-Roc, you can still fit a couple of six-footers quite comfortably in the back.

You can fit six carry-on suitcases in the Puma's main boot compartment – one fewer than you’ll squeeze into a Kamiq or T-Roc. The Puma has a trick up its sleeve, though: if you lift up its boot floor, you’ll find a large well under it that can swallow two more cases.

Interested in buying a used Ford Puma? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Ownership cost

What used Ford Puma will I get for my budget?

Used Ford Pumas are available for around £10,000 – expect a 2020 or 2021 Titanium car featuring the 123bhp engine and around 70,000 miles on the clock. You'll need upwards of £12,000 if you fancy a 153bhp ST-Line. Spend between £11,000 and £13,000 on a good puma from 2022 and 2023, £13,000 to £19,000 on cars from 2024 and 2025.

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Our recommendations

Which used Ford Puma should I buy?

The 1.0 Ecoboost mHEV 155 offers sprightly performance, yet it’s just as good on fuel as its lower-powered mild hybrid sibling, so it’s the one we’d go for. Our favourite trim is ST-Line, because, although Titanium isn’t lacking, it’s sharper handling and increased level of kit grant it our vote.

Our favourite Ford Puma: 1.0 Ecoboost mHEV 155 ST-Line X

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Ford Puma?

The Audi Q2 is a high-quality small SUV with sharp looks and a very impressive interior. It feels a cut above thanks to its softer interior plastics, tactile knobs and a great infotainment system. It drives well, too, and is both comfortable and practical, but it’ll cost more to buy and run than the Ford Puma.

The Skoda Kamiq is great value and one of the nicest to drive, as well as being one of the most spacious. It has more rear leg room than the Puma, and its interior quality impresses.With punchy engines and plenty of standard kit on offer it’s easy to recommend a used Kamiq.

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Interested in buying a used Ford Puma? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.