Words: Matt Robinson - @MttRbnsn Published on: January 15, 2020. Our test car for the launch review is the mid-spec 2020 Ford Puma ST-Line, which carries a $32,340 RRP and a $33,990 drive-away special (down from the standard $36,170 on … To many, a Ford Pumais a quirky coupe from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Model Tested. And for those who prefer smartphone mirroring, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range. Ford Puma ST-Line. Stepping over the threshold into old age, especially in the light of current events, has prompted sobering realisations, as found in his review of the 2020 Ford Puma. Register interest Contact a … With its large grille, sportier styling and intricate LED lights, the Puma certainly has more character than we’re used to from Ford. Given that the Puma of the late 1990s arrived with the bold tagline ‘A driver’s dream’, Ford’s decision to reprise the name of its pint-size coupé on the tailgate of a crossover seems perplexing. Boot space is good at 410L with the back seats in play. And straight off the bat, it’s a peachy combination. A diesel-powered Puma and a sportier ST performance model are in the pipeline, the latter expected to be officially revealed at some point this year. MORE: Puma news and reviewsMORE: Everything Ford. Interview: Ford Australia boss Andrew Birkic. CAR SIZE: sub-compact. It’s no sports car, of course, but there is a solidity to the suspension set-up that allows for some playful fun when the situation warrants. The car will slot into the range between the dreary EcoSport and the Kuga and it shares a platform with the Fiesta, which, as you may have heard, is easily the dynamic benchmark in the supermini class. 5. However, what this segment has long been devoid of is something genuinely good to drive, which is where – Ford says – this new Puma will justify its name. Ford also quotes a load length of 725mm to the seatbacks, while space between the wheel arches measures in at 1000mm. 2 0 0. It’s a well-equipped package, even at this base level, although does miss out on some advanced safety tech, despite coming standard with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist and a 180-degree reverse camera. Our independent 2020 Ford Puma ST-Line and ST-Line V review … You can unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe mechanism on any email you receive from us. From £20,710 8. 2020 Ford Puma Titanium review: this most affordable version is also the best 5/5 The lowest specification of this acclaimed small crossover is the one that most buyers will choose – … Ford Puma ST 2020 UK review. Still, now that the Blue Oval has all but abandoned building cars in the United States, the upcoming Puma could fill the small-car hole in the Ford lineup, but the company has offered no confirmation of such a plan. team. With a larger frontal area, a higher centre of gravity and more weight, this new Puma clearly distances itself from traditional ‘driver’s dream’ territory where the 1034kg original did everything budgets would allow to get closer. The Blue Oval has taken huge strides in the light – or compact – SUV segment with its all-new 2020 That’s pretty much where the story ends, though. It feels light, partially because it is, tipping the scales at 1288kg (kerb). Euro design and build come at a price, it seems. The Puma wasn't unique in the Ford range for long in featuring this technology: by summer 2020 it was also in the Fiesta and larger Kuga SUV. Our tester came fitted with the $1500 optional Park Pack, bringing the as-tested price to $31,490 plus on-road costs. The Ford Puma nameplate has been revived on a small SUV with a cleverly designed cabin, a sharp chassis and somewhat questionable looks. Register your interest for later or request to be contacted by a dealer to talk through your options now. Honest John Owners' Reviews » Ford » Ford Puma (2020 on) 5. A great car is made to seem even better by immediate comparison to a really awful one. The car’s striking design, which has been described as ‘anti-wedge’ by one Ford designer, is intended to steal sales from more premium brands, notably Mini. Let’s find out. Even at the entry level, the Puma comes equipped with enough goodies to make you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. Even at base level, the Puma has positioned itself at the pricier end of the light-SUV spectrum, with main rivals like the Mazda CX-3 (from $22,710), Hyundai Venue (from $20,190), Nissan Juke (from $27,990) and Volkswagen T-Cross (from $27,990), all coming in under the Ford’s tip-in point. The big cat, that is, not the car. That expands to a decent 1170L with the second row stowed away in 60:40 split-fold fashion. The good news for Ford is the Puma's a worthy addition to the segment, combining a willing drivetrain with a playful and agile chassis. All are paired with a six-speed manual gearbox that drives the front wheels. Next rung up the Puma ladder is the ST-Line at $32,430 (or $33,490 drive-away), while the top-spec Puma ST-Line V asks for $35,540 plus on-roads, but can currently be had for $36,490 drive-away, all offers valid until the end of December. Practical, but genuinely rewarding to drive in any specification, Impressively, ride quality isn’t compromised in order to achieve this, Interior lacks design imagination, with some cheaper-looking surfaces, Many will expect better fuel economy from a hybrid powertrain, Haymarket Media Group, publishers of Autocar takes your privacy seriously. The total over five years/75,000km is a not unreasonable $1516. The 2020 Puma has a very different role in Ford’s car-free, SUV-heavy future, shoring up a small crossover campaign that’s been pretty badly dented by the underdone and unloved EcoSport.. We're not surprised if you don't, because it was only built for the European market, and that was almost two decades ago. Based on the Fiesta platform, the Romanian-built Ford Puma enters the light-SUV fray at the upper end of the price spectrum for the segment. But there’s next to no demand for models like that these days, so instead the Puma name has been revived on a crossover, as after all, these are the models that are selling best now. The entry-level Ford Puma has become the Blue Oval’s de facto city car entrant. Although, it can be very occasionally caught out on the downshift when asking for a burst of speed for an overtake or motorway merge. Ford Focus ST Auto review: one of Britain’s rarest cars Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI review: three-cylinder Golf tested Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 review: now with paddles Power comes from Ford’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol three-pot, which is available with either 123bhp or 153bhp. The Pumashares plenty in common with the Fiesta, which undoubtedly sets it off on the right foot, though it looks rather different to that car with its distinctive front end – joining the … Read the definitive Ford Puma ST 2021 review from the expert What Car? The steering is nice and direct – well-weighted for the Puma’s intended purpose without feeling overly twirly or light. Check specs, prices, performance and compare with similar cars. For now, the UK Puma line-up is relatively straightforward. We will use your information to ensure you receive messages that are relevant to you. Equally, throw the little SUV at some curves and its sporty nature comes to the fore. Ford covers the Puma with its standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and asks that you return to the workshop every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first. That’s on par with its main rivals. The 2020 Ford Puma has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on Euro NCAP data scored in December 2019. Looking for a Ford Puma (2020 on)? The Top Gear car review: Ford Puma ST. n/a. The European-sourced model will be available in three trims: the Puma, Puma ST-Line and flagship Puma ST-Line V. Pricing begins at $29,990 for the base model and tops out at $35,540 for the ST-Line V (all before on-road costs). The new boss of Ford Australia, Andrew Birkic, has been in the top job for a little more than a month, but he has been with the Blue Oval brand for more than 26 years. There’s an urgency from the 1.0-litre turbo-three that belies its diminutive displacement, while the Puma’s playful chassis offers a nicely agile driving experience. team. It all works well enough and is intuitive to use and scroll through. Roominess is at a premium, too. Location. But now there is a new Puma. The space is impinged on a little by the space-saver spare that shares the space, but it remains a useful solution for saving the carpeted floor in the boot. 29 Sep 2020 Peter Anderson. Get all the best car news, reviews and opinion direct to your inbox. Storage options abound, including a large central bin with two layers that also houses a contemporary USB-C point to complement the regular USB outlet located next to the gear lever. 2020 Ford Puma: verdict Usually when writing a crossover review, I conclude by suggesting you choose the hatchback instead. 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