Ford Puma isn’t cheap so does it rate the bucks?

There was a lot of too-ing and fro-ing as to whether Puma would make it to Australia. It did, and isn’t it a little sweetie? The 3-model range of Puma, ST Line and ST Line V is fairly well equipped.

It’s all cutsie-pie on the outside with an adorable little face, and a pert rump. They’ve followed this modern trend of turning a baby hatch into a baby SUV by pumping it up on steroids. Ford has all but abandoned the little-lamented passenger car market, and joins many other car makers in having a mainly-SUV stable. The only passenger cars left are the performance versions: Focus ST, Fiesta ST, and Mustang.

Puma follows Fiesta’s lilliputian proportions: 4,186-4,207 mm L x 1,805 mm W x 1,548-1,552 mm H, albeit a little taller. The 2588mm wheelbase isn’t going to make it a family machine but there is more than enough space for a trendy couple wanting something a bit different.

The on-road price of $39,891 (NSW) doesn’t include our options of Sunroof $2,000, Grey Matter paint with black roof $1,150,  and Park Pack $900. This takes the final DRIVE AWAY price $44,157 in New South Wales.

Download Brochure HERE: FMPMGT0419_2022.25MY Puma_eBro

This Week: 2022 Ford Puma ST Line V Review

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ABOVE: 2022 Ford Puma ST Line V

The Exterior:

“Fixed Signature LED Headlamps” have an odd ovoid shape reminiscent of Fords of the 90’s. LED DTRLs carve a couple of lines through the array, but don’t instantly say, “Hi, make way. Ford coming through.”

Similarly, the tail lights have a complex shape. The low volume SUV has a certain mystique owning to its relative rarity. Ford shifted 137 units for the first 2 months of 2022 verses 441 for the same time last year. That’s a shame because it deserves more.

Overall, the gym-fit Puma is cute, cheeky, and is best considered a high-riding hatch rather than an SUV in the true sense.

Download Brochure HERE: FMPMGT0419_2022.25MY Puma_eBro

The Cabin:

While there is plenty of fake leather with a premium feel, there is an acre of scratchy plastic. Despite that, the design and execution leaves an impression of quality rather than poverty.

Ergonomics are good, and all knobs and buttons are where you’d want them to be.

The killer B&O sound system is surely best in class. It is a master class in auto HiFi, with deliciously crisp and clear sound. It is fettled via an 8” touch screen with SYNC3. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto via USB will tether your phone, and with a dashcam plugged in as well, the centre console looks like a Chinese laundry.

The front travellers are spoilt by massaging seats with powered adjustment, but not heating or cooling. Single zone climate control does a great job, and the is easy entry with push button start.

A real surprise in an entry level car is the 12.3” driver’s display. It isn’t overly cluttered, and has changing themes depending on drive mode. With normal modes, a Falcon is shown in the Radar Cruise graphic, a Mustang in Sport modes, and an F150 truck in trail mode. This playful touch highlights an interior clearly aimed at the younger buyer.

We tried a short trip with 4-up, but the boys in the back were snug enough to be a bit complainy-pants about their experience.

Our car had a large glass roof with interior net shade, adding a brightness to the cosy ambience.

Driving:

There is a teensy 1.0L 3-pot up front. The turbo petrol unit has 92kw/170Nm, and drives the front wheels through a 7-speed DCT automatic.

A 9 second 0-100 felt leisurely, but that throaty rasp makes the trip fun.

Along with the optional sunroof, our test car came with the park-pack which is a hoot to use. It gets you into, and out of, very tight kerbside spots, but the 90o shopping centres have parking only. Leaving it is down to your own skill. Frankly if you can’t get out of a Bunnings car park, you shouldn’t be driving.

Part of the park-pack is Blind Spot Monitor, front sensors, and RCTA. That is something that should be standard in a car of this price.

Puma is one car that really gets extra poke from Sport modes, and we used it for most of the week.

Highway travel is relatively quiet, with the active lane control, and active cruise, making light work of the trip.

Unlike other reviewers, we found the ride more than acceptable. Macpherson front suspension, and a Torsion Beam rear, make for decent handling, but it is touring rather than sporty. Puma is firm enough in corners to give the driver fun even in dampish conditions.

In fact, we drove through some heavy rain and it was as solid as a rock.

Two boys and a dogs might go for a camping weekend but despite having a trail mode, will not be going too far off-piste. Gays love adventure, but not stupidity!

Conclusion:

Puma costs more than its competitors, and many of the options should be standard. It is a fun drive, but the drive away price of $44,157 including options, will give buyers cause to look at other brands to make sure Puma is the one they really want.

If it helps, I’d happily drive one.

Download Brochure HERE: FMPMGT0419_2022.25MY Puma_eBro

Puma ST Line V

Price: $35,890

Engine: 1.0L Turbo Petrol, Euro 5

Power: 92kw170Nm

Econ: 5.3L/100k

Trans: 7-sp DCT automatic

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