While the old Ford Puma was a sporty small coupe, the nameplate is now being used on a subcompact crossover that slots between the EcoSport and Kuga.
A rival for the Nissan Juke and the like, the new Puma is based on the brand’s B-segment platform, shared with the seventh-gen Fiesta, which brings us to our question: is it more than a supermini on stilts? Yes, as a matter of fact. It looks different, has a larger overall footprint, rides higher and offers mild-hybrid powertrains.
The range starts with the Titanium, followed by the ST-Line and ST-Line X, which cost £20,545 ($26,754 / €24,011), £21,495 ($27,991 / €25,122) and £22,895 ($29,814 / €26,758) in Britain. WhatCar drove the range-topping variant of the small crossover, powered by the 153 HP (155 PS) and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm) engine.
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Hooked to the 6-speed manual transmission, it costs £28,348 ($36,915 / €33,131). For the money, the digital dials, 8-inch infotainment system, smartphone integration, wireless charging pad, sunroof and many other features come as standard.
Soft-touch materials are found on the inside, alongside a generous amount of scratchy plastics. The storage space situation does not disappoint, and neither does the 401-liter (14.2 cu ft) boot, expandable to 1,161 liters (41 cu ft). However, the rear seat is cramped for taller occupants and the optional sunroof eats further into the headroom.
Chances are you will forget about the downsides, which also include road noise and thick A-and C-pillars that affect visibility, once you find a nice twisty road. According to the reviewer, the 2020 Puma is “the best-handling small SUV” out there. What made him say that? That’s for you to find out by watching the video.