Ford Puma Gen-E reader test team: readers' verdicts on new small electric SUV
Will this new small electric SUV be a hit like its petrol sibling? We ask our readers to take a look and tell us what they think of it...
The Ford Puma Gen-E is a relative latecomer to the small electric SUV party, arriving after the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia EV3, Smart #1 and Volvo EX30, to name just a few.
However, the electric Puma has an ace up its sleeve: it’s based on the winning formula of the petrol-powered Puma, which was the UK’s best-selling car in 2023 and 2024 and is one of the most enjoyable small SUVs to drive.
Visually, the Gen-E sticks closely to its petrol sibling. The main differences are that it ditches the traditional front grille and has white lettering on the tailgate instead of black.
Inside, the Gen-E comes with the same 12.0in infotainment touchscreen as the regular Puma. It’s more practical than its sibling, though, with a larger (523-litre) boot and a 43-litre compartment under the bonnet for charging cable storage.
A 43.6kWh (usable capacity) battery gives an official range of up to 233 miles, while a 166bhp electric motor can propel the car from 0-62mph in 8.0sec.
At £29,995 for entry-level Select trim or £31,995 for Premium spec, the Puma Gen-E is cheaper than many of its rivals. The entry-level Kia EV3, for example, is £3000 pricier than the equivalent Gen-E, although the former has a longer official range. Deliveries are expected to get underway in late April or early May.
To find out if What Car? readers think the Puma Gen-E offers a winning formula, we asked a group of them to take a look inside and out and give us their verdicts on it.
David McCann
Age 63
Job Retired civil engineer
Drives BMW 4 Series Coupé
“My wife and I will be consolidating our two cars into one soon, and we’re likely to go for a small electric SUV like the Puma Gen-E.
“I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen. Ford has hit a great price point here, and it’s the first time I’ve been excited about transitioning to electric power.
“The Gen-E’s resemblance to the petrol Puma is a plus; it’ll encourage people familiar with the brand to make the switch to electric power.
“Entry-level Select trim looks like good value for money. It has smaller wheels than the Premium version, and that should make it comfier to drive. There aren’t any hard-to-clean nooks and crannies in the wheels, so I’ll only need a sponge to clean them.
“My expectations for interior quality were low, but they have been exceeded. That said, there are some cheap-looking plastics in the rear seats, and the floor is relatively high, so it can feel cramped back there.
“The fact that the bonnet release lever is on the passenger’s side might be annoying; you’re likely to want regular access if the charging cables are stored up front.
“Otherwise, I think Ford has got it right with the Ford Puma Gen-E; it’s certainly not a compromise on the original car.”
Star rating 5
David Hammond
Age 59
Job Heating manager
Drives Mazda CX-5
“I’m looking to make the move to either a hybrid or fully electric model, and I’m a fan of Ford, having started my car ownership experience with an Mk4 Cortina.
“The Puma Gen-E looks really stylish and sporty, especially with the black trim. I’m not sure about the yellow paint – but you’d have no trouble finding the Gen-E in a car park. I’d probably go for range-topping Premium trim, because I’m a fan of the larger wheels it gets compared with the entry-level Select.
“My main concern is range anxiety, but the Puma Gen-E’s 233-mile official figure sounds good. My commute is about a 50-mile round trip, so the Gen-E would cover most of my driving.
"I often travel with my family, including my dad and my granddaughter; the Puma is high enough that it’s easy to get in and out of, and it looks like it would have no trouble accommodating child car seats.
“There aren’t too many shiny interior plastics, which I find can mark easily over time, and there are no tinny sounds when you shut the doors. The fact that you can pre-heat the car via a phone app is great.
“I’m 6ft 2in tall and found the rear seats a bit cramped, but other than that, it seems like the Ford Puma Gen-E would do everything my CX-5 does, so I’m impressed.”
Star rating 4
Mark Candler
Age 64
Job Financial advisor
Drives BMW X5 and Jaguar I-Pace
“I’ve already made the plunge and gone electric with my I-Pace, and the arrival of the Ford Puma Gen-E makes the brand more appealing to me.
“Despite being a smaller car, the Puma Gen-E is a more practical proposition than my I-Pace and our previous Volkswagen Golf. The boot is really well designed. The boot floor has two heights and there’s a drain plug in the bottom of the underfloor storage bin, so you can hose it down if it gets muddy.
“The front storage space is also a really clever piece of design. It’s so sensible that it’s slim and deep, so it will hold the charging lead securely in place.
“Some of the interior trim looks a bit cheap, such as the plastic around the light switch, but I think the optional panoramic glass roof is a great feature, especially because it opens, unlike the one on my I-Pace. And it’s not too pricey at £1000.
“Overall, I think the Puma Gen-E is good value. I’d go for the higher-spec Premium version because I prefer its interior trim and the extra equipment you get, such as matrix LED headlights and a B&O sound system. That said, it’s disappointing that you have to pay extra for heated seats and some of the driver aids.
“If the Puma Gen-E drives as well as the best petrol and diesel- engined Ford models, I’ll raise my rating to the full five stars.”
Star rating 4
Ron Hammond
Age 92
Job Retired engineer
Drives Honda Jazz
“I’ve never owned a Ford, but quite a few of my family members do, including my daughter, who swears by the brand.
“The Ford Puma Gen-E is an attractive-looking car; I like its overall shape and exterior design. It’s more spacious inside than I’d expected, and it seems practical.
“I’m especially impressed with the boot. Although the main load area doesn’t look as big as that of my Jazz, it’s still spacious, and it’s useful that it has a height-adjustable floor.
“However, the best thing about the Gen-E is its ergonomics. The front doors open wide and the driver’s seat is positioned fairly high up, so getting in or out is easy. What’s more, the front seats are extremely comfortable and supportive.
“The driving environment is extremely well designed, with all the controls just where you’d expect them. It usually takes me a while to get used to a new car, but the Puma felt familiar straight away. I don’t think I’d have any trouble adjusting to driving it after my Jazz.
“My only criticism is that the Puma’s rear window wiper is fairly small, so it clears only a small part of the back screen. This is something I’ve found quite common on many new cars, and it is a concern because it means the sides of the rear window aren’t cleared, and that can hamper visibility.”
Star rating 4
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