Since Puma By 2019, EcoSport, Ford’s last attempt in the small SUV space, had been left in the dust.
The funny Puma has captured the limelight and gives us some confidence that Ford can deliver a good small SUV.
In terms of design, the Puma really attracts attention with its bug-like headlights. Under the skin, it rides on a version of By Fiesta The platform is designed to make it handle the way it is placed sport in the SUV, and the cabin has a suite of updated technology.
It certainly looks good on paper. Does the base model, which starts around $30,000, have what it takes to support that promise?
How much does Ford Puma FWD cost?
In the test we are at the entry level 2022 Ford Puma FWD priced from $30,340 before on-road expensescompete with things like Nissan Juke ST ($27,990) and Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Lifetime ($29,850).
It’s a bit more expensive, although the Puma has plenty of standard equipment at the end of the range.
Price Ford Puma 2022:
- Ford Puma FWD: $30,340
- Ford Puma ST-Line: $32,690
- Ford Puma ST-Line V: $35,890
All prices do not include road costs
You get what?
Highlights of Puma FWD:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite positioning
- DAB + digital radio
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
- Front fog lights and cornering lights
- LED tail lights
- FordPass Connect (online functions and services)
- Keyless start
- Ambient light
- Sensico artificial leather steering wheel
- Wireless phone charger
- Six-speaker sound system
- Cruise control
- Rain wipers
- Automatic climate control
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Fabric cover
Our tester’s two-tone paint finish was previously an option on the Puma range, but has been restricted to the top-end ST-Line V for 2022.
The Park Pack Is one $990 optionally on scope and yield:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Lane center assist
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Assist driving away
- Semi-automatic parking assistance
- Front parking sensor
Is Ford Puma FWD safe?
Ford Puma carries one Five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted by Euro NCAP in 2019.
The vehicle scored 94% in adult protection and 86% in child protection, 77% in protection of vulnerable road users and 74% in safety assistance.
All models come standard with:
- AEB with pedestrian detection
- Departure lane weakened
- Lane keeping assist
- Monitor the driver’s attention
- Traffic sign recognition
- Front, side and curtain airbags
- Auto beam
- Reverse camera
- Rear parking sensor
What’s inside the Ford Puma FWD?
When I initially jumped into the Puma, I felt myself aloft and almost detached from the rest of the cabin. Almost touching the cup holders is a different experience, but I don’t mind. There’s a level of power that comes with feeling like you’re on top of the rest of the car.
Only the chubby clover gave forest ranger vibe, even though it’s only a small member of the family.
The 8.0-inch screen infotainment system protrudes from the center of the dashboard. The use of piano black around the buttons and dial blends it all in seamlessly.
The unit works well and comes equipped with satellite navigation as well as wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which all work well. However, the graphics on the car’s system are quite basic, so CarPlay and Android Auto are worth using.
However, the software is simple to use and responsive. If you can see through the graphics, it’s still very useful.
The Puma’s sound system is worth mentioning, because the speakers are quite noisy. I messed up the bass and treble to see if I could also be an audio technician and fix them, but the speakers don’t seem to be party-ready.
They’re fine for low volume or for Sunday excursions, but anything more dramatic makes them feel inadequate.
Underneath the infotainment screen are all the air conditioning buttons, which look nice and modern. Beyond that is a perfect tray for phones. Next to the gear lever is a 12V power outlet, and on the other side is a USB port.
This area is finished in a more matte black plastic, as opposed to the piano black that competitors use (primary fingerprint magnet).
Space in the Puma is fine, but using a cup holder makes it quite difficult to maneuver around the handbrake. It’s a minor issue, but it’s something that happens every day.
One saving grace for the trophy situation, however, is the fact that there are three trophies, two standard sizes and then in the middle a perfect small one for a Red Bull. If you are a caffeine addict, that is very helpful.
Behind the cup holder there is a small center console with a small tray, the center console is just big enough for your wallet and some coins and lip balm in the tray, however there is also a USB charging port- C in it.
Overall, the seats in Puma are very comfortable, with a quilted pattern. They offer plenty of support on long drives and in corners.
Materials used throughout Puma are generally good. There’s soft-touch plastic on the dashboard, with faux carbon fiber behind a glossy finish around the infotainment unit, and a lighter gray fabric and plastic mix with white stitching on the doors.
The door trim fabric is not too soft. It’s barely scratched, where perhaps the leather look would polish the cabin much better.
There’s enough room to seat a young child or a friend in the back, although the Puma isn’t one of the larger cars in its class.
There’s enough headroom, but tight knee space behind tall adults and increased straps means it’s a bit claustrophobic there.
There are no cup holders, vents or USB sockets. None of these are Puma exclusives, but they weaken practicality in SUVs.
Have a lot of 410L bootable in a reasonably wide, deep space extending to 1170L with the rear seats folded. Folded flat, the luggage area comfortably fits a stroller and several groceries.
What’s under the bonnet?
All versions of the Ford Puma sold in Australia are powered by the engine 1.0 liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine manufacturing 92kW power and 170Nm of torque.
The Puma’s engine includes a fuel-saver cylinder deactivation, meaning it shuts down one cylinder at low engine load to save fuel.
Drive is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The use of small turbocharged three-cylinder engines is quite common in light and compact SUVs designed for the European market.
How does the Ford Puma FWD drive?
I feel the term SUV needs to be taken as salt here. The car looks like a small SUV, however it handles more like a sportier hatch. It likes corners and whips around town.
That’s the complete opposite of what we normally expect from an SUV.
Powerful engine. It doesn’t win outright output in its segment, but it does give its rivals a run for the money. It has a pretty good growl despite the small lag to low and offers complete confidence when you are in traffic or climbing hills.
As a dual-clutch automatic transmission, shift gears quickly when you’re on the go. There’s no holding or bursting of revs as you accelerate, which is great and really leans towards that sporty feel. There is an option to convert it to
Sport mode gives a bit more weight to the steering wheel and holds the gears a bit longer.
I was very fond of paddle shifters. They gave me full control and unleashed Puma’s sporting potential.
Puma’s chassis can use more power, which has been demonstrated with the overseas-powered Puma ST. It’s a pity we didn’t receive it in Australia.
Driving in the Puma might lean more towards the sporty hatch, but the suspension and ride quality definitely lean in SUV territory. It doesn’t transmit bumps and potholes in the cabin like you might expect from a sports hatchback, instead it floats on the worst Australian roads can throw at it.
Unlike the ST-Line and ST-Line V, the base Puma doesn’t have sport suspension adjustments. That’s not a bad thing.
While it won’t go off-road, having some extra ground clearance and those chubby tires also means steep city curbs and nasty driving roads won’t make life difficult your life.
For a small car, its highway manners are also very good. Wind noise is restrained relative to its rivals, although the small engine needs to work pretty hard at 110km/h if you want to overtake.
Assistive features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist work very well together, and they make highway driving a little easier.
Even though it’s front-wheel drive, Ford offers Slippery and Trail driving modes in addition to Eco, Normal and Sport as standard.
How much does a Ford Puma FWD cost to run?
Ford Puma is covered by five-year, unlimited km warranty. For the first four years / 60,000 km, Ford offers capped-price service at $299 each visit.
Requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000km whichever comes first.
Puma has a 42L fuel tank and use 5.3L / 100km on the combined cycle – in real testing, we saw 5.6L/100km, which is pretty impressive.
CarExpert’s Takes On Ford Puma FWD
The Ford Puma is a car that doesn’t get as attention-grabbing as some of its rivals.
I think Puma needs a little more time. It’s comfortable, it’s powerful, and it turns heads, all the time just enough room for a weekend getaway or kids’ soccer games.
There’s also a lot of fun in the base model. If you are considering a small SUV, then you should go to Puma for a test drive.
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THAN: Everything Ford Puma
