The Ford Puma is the carmaker’s entry-level SUV, which is positioned in the highly competitive subcompact crossover segment. To make it appealing to potential buyers, the carmaker has given the Puma a slightly updated design, improved technology specs, and various other driver-friendly features in its latest version. Besides these, other key highlights that make this vehicle stand out include its reasonable price, punchy and economical engines, and a long list of safety equipment.

1. Interior practicality and quality

The dashboard in the 2024  model of Puma has a minimalistic and uncomplicated feel, as it comes with a few physical buttons. Two large screens show real-time vehicle data and control several of the Puma’s functions. A 12-inch infotainment touchscreen in the centre console runs on Ford’s latest SYNC4 software. The digital instrument cluster houses the trip computer and multiple indicators. According to the carmaker, these systems have “twice the computing power” compared to the previous versions of the Puma.

The Puma’s interior has a few practical cubbyholes, drawers, and bins for storing wallets, phones, and books. The cabin’s utility is also boosted by its overall ergonomics — all buttons, screens, levers, and dials are easy for the driver and other occupants to access.

Despite the minimalism, the Puma’s cabin holds up well in terms of quality and meets the standards set by other models in Ford’s lineup.

2. Seating space and cargo storage capacity

The 2024 Ford Puma’s rear seats can be folded completely to open up more boot space for storing luggage and other large utility objects. With all seats up, the space is 456 litres. When the rear seats are folded down, that number rises to an incredible 1,216 litres.

With an overall length of 4.2 metres, the Puma offers ample legroom, headroom, shoulder room, and hip room to seat five passengers comfortably. One of the biggest advantages of this vehicle is the sheer flexibility it offers within the cabin in terms of seat adjustment and space creation. The adjustable lumbar support in the driver’s seat helps prevent back pain on long journeys. The front seats and steering wheel come with height and rake adjustments and plenty of movement for occupants to find the perfect seating position.

3. Engine, performance, and fuel economy

The Ford Puma 2024 comes with a downsized, three-cylinder turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor. To save power and fuel, this engine can shut off entirely when the SUV is coasting on the road. Also, when fuel levels are low, one cylinder automatically deactivates, and only the 15bhp, 37 lb-ft electric motor is used to maximize mileage and drivability. All the engines use fuel-saving mild-hybrid powertrain technology. The mHEV 125 is linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox, which can be upgraded to a 7-speed automatic system. The slightly more powerful 155 mHEV can be purchased exclusively with the 7-speed automatic gearbox.

The peppy engine and electric motor combination haul the vehicle effortlessly on urban roads or open highways. In terms of acceleration, 0 to 62 mph takes anywhere between 8.7 to 9.8 seconds. When it comes to fuel economy, the automobile returns a combined fuel efficiency between 50 mpg and 52 mpg. The automobile’s strong performance, minimal amount of emissions, and high fuel efficiency make it an ideal vehicle to drive on busy roads.

4. Ride quality and handling

The light and direct steering on the Puma, combined with its snappy gearbox, makes this vehicle easy and predictable to drive on urban roads. The vehicle has a tight turning circle, making cornering much easier for drivers. Additionally, the 2024 Puma has one of the most powerful brakes in its segment. All these factors together significantly impact its handling. Furthermore, on tight and twisty roads, this vehicle does not lose its control and balance.

The Puma’s suspension has been tuned to make its ride as pliant and stable as possible, even on uneven roads. This fluency extends to the overall external noise insulation of the cabin. Most physical and aural intrusions are filtered out. Only the biggest bumps on a given road are mildly felt within the cabin. The stable ride quality makes this vehicle an able ally for long trips.

All in all, the ride, handling, noise insulation, and overall driving dynamics of the Ford Puma 2024 are comparable to alternatives in its class.

5. Convenience features and safety equipment

Upon purchasing the 2024 Puma, buyers can access several convenience features, including fog lamps, LED rear lamps, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, auto high beam, power foldable heated door mirrors, rear privacy glass, automatic climate control, Premium synthetic leather upholstery (for the ST-Line trim), speed sign recognition, the touchscreen infotainment system, emergency call service, driver impairment monitor, selectable drive modes (Normal, trail, sport, Eco, and slippery), and many more when they purchase the top-end version of the Puma.

The flagship variant of the automobile also includes safety features such as airbags, pre-collision assist, autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian/cyclist detection, post-collision braking, electronic stability control, traction control, hill start assist, and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution.

6. Price range

The ex-showroom price range of the Ford Puma 2024 ranges between £25,535 and £33,785. Buyers can check out the Ford Puma for sale at showrooms and evaluate if any financing deals are available to simplify the purchase.