The Ford Puma nameplate isn’t entirely new to the automotive industry. The history books tell us that Ford in Europe used the same name for its 3-door coupe model produced in the late 1990s, with even our British TopGear colleagues awarding it for the "incredible driving sensation" that shipped with it.
Fast forward to the year 2019, and the nameplate emerged as a small crossover SUV, and while it shares a name with the model of old, it’s completely different as a crossover equivalent to the 7th-generation Fiesta.
For reasons known only to Ford SA, the Puma crossover was a late entrant into the local market. It was only launched in SA before the end of 2023 in two variants: Titanium and ST-Line Vignale. It exists to indirectly occupy the compact segment left by the now-defunct EcoSport model, and in its ST-Line guise, which is the model tested here, it’s the closest we can get to the full-blown ST models of the outside world.
Being the flagship in the range and dressed in a stunning red exterior shade with some sporty aesthetics, it brings a stunning package that isn’t short on style.
The Ford Puma is not a direct replacement for the EcoSport, as this is positioned as a more premium and better-specced product, yet it doesn’t deviate significantly from the norm. You still get the same interior that we are familiar with in the current Fiesta, which has sturdy plastics with softer textures incorporated onto the dashboard and various sections of the door panels.
Despite the vehicle’s price point, the interior does not exude quite the premium feel you'd expect. However, this being the ST-Line variant does offer some enhancements over the Titanium. It features red ST-Line upholstery stitching and comes with a host of standard equipment. This includes a wireless charging pad, wired Apple CarPlay mirrored through an 8-inch floating infotainment touchscreen, a B&O sound system, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, two USB ports, manual front seat adjustment with massage functions, among other features.
In terms of space, the vehicle comfortably accommodates adults. However, taller passengers may find the headroom in the rear seats somewhat restrictive. The boot space is adequate and can accommodate a sizable amount of cargo.
With a sports suspension with specially tuned springs and shock absorbers, the ride quality of the Puma ST-Line isn’t the benchmark and leans more on the firm side, which, in its defence, makes sure that the body stays quite flat when navigating through corners. It’s also nimble by small crossover SUV standards, and we think most buyers will appreciate its agility in and around town.
If the sports suspension isn’t working for you, the Titanium trim comes with a softer suspension setup.
On the road, the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost engine with 92kW and 170Nm channelled to the front axle via a 7-speed DCT transmission translates to a family crossover SUV that is pleasantly sharp to drive.
The Puma ST-Line's engine produces a slightly sporty rasp while delivering plenty of torque from low revs. It is also quite responsive and has less turbo lag than some competing engines on the market. However, the transmission has a little hint of jerkiness at slow speeds, and there’s a fair amount of tyre and wind noise at highway speeds.
How much is it? Well, the price of the Puma ST-Line has always been a topic of much curiosity and discussion since its launch. Priced at R613,300 for a new model, one needs to be thoughtful before making the decision to purchase one.
Even the Titanium variant, priced slightly above the half-million mark, doesn’t seem to alleviate the initial sticker shock, taking into consideration that the likes of the Opel Mokka, Volkswagen Taigo, Mazda CX-30, and Renault Captur, to name a few, are priced considerably more affordable than the subject at hand.
In terms of daily usage, the Ford Puma ST-Line demonstrated a fuel economy figure of 7.1l/100km, with the numbers showing a slight decrease on open roads.
While the Ford Puma ST-Line doesn’t have the perks to justify its premium price point, it offers a compelling blend of practicality, driving dynamics, and style that sets it apart from many rivals in the compact SUV fold.
Its unique appeal lies in the genuine driving enjoyment it provides, particularly when traversing open roads—a characteristic seldom found in vehicles of this class. Ford just needs to revise its pricing strategy to align it with its perceived value, and in this case, it could potentially broaden its appeal and enhance its market position.
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