Finally, the void left when Ford discontinued the Fiesta has been filled. Not by another sweet compact hatchback, but by a new compact crossover. Sporting good looks, more practicality, and being named after an exotic feline, the Puma may not be the hatchback we miss, but it is a vehicle we need. Having lived with the car for a bit, here are my thoughts on the new Ford Puma.
As is always the case regarding vehicles, a car’s appearance is essential to its success in the market. After all, no one wants to spend top dollar on a car they would not want to be seen in.
The Puma is a story of success in terms of looks. If you are following up on the Fiesta, you must look just as good, if not better. Smooth and athletic body lines define the body of the little crossover, making this an attractive car from all angles. The front end looks honest and approachable and is accentuated by the cat-eye-shaped projector headlights with integrated DRLs. The rear is equally stylish, thanks to LED tail lamps, nice PUMA lettering on the rear hatch, and an integrated rear spoiler for the upper trim. The car comes in two trims, namely Titanium and ST-Line (our tester), which are differentiated by alloy wheels and styling features.
CABIN IMPRESSIONS
I found the cabin to be straightforward and well-appointed. Some manufacturers rely heavily on gimmicks to set themselves apart from the competition, but thankfully, the Puma escapes that fate. In many ways, it reminds me of the Fiesta, especially as far as dimensions are concerned. The dashboard is stylish yet simple and, much to my joy, is prominently populated by functional physical buttons that you quickly attune to with muscle memory. An 8” infotainment system running Ford’s Sync3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is mounted centrally on the dash. The Titanium trim then makes do with fabric upholstery, whilst my tester in ST-Line guise had partial leather seats with massage functionality for the front seats. And whilst both trims get a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, ST-Line adds flair with a flat-bottomed design. Sitting accommodations are fair for the rear passengers, though taller passengers may have to work around the sloping roof-line. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by how practical the car is, and more so by the 456 litres of storage space the boot offers.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
The Puma is motivated by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which produces 92 kW and 170 Nm of torque. The power runs to the front wheels through a seven-speed DCT transmission. Sadly, there is no manual option for our market. That said, the little engine could commute me around with sufficient enthusiasm. It may not be a hot hatch, but it never pretends to be. You are aware of the car it is, and you get to enjoy what it offers within those confines.
Being a relatively small vehicle, the Puma was a nimble delight to handle by the scruff of its neck. The steering is light of feel, making it an appropriate city companion. I prefer a bit more heft when travelling at highway speeds. Thankfully, the suspension is tuned correctly to give the driver a sense of stability while also soaking in road imperfections enough to provide the occupants with a forgiving ride. As standard, the Puma comes with safety features such as six airbags, ESC and ABS. Driver assistance systems such as lane-keep assist, lane departure warning and cruise control also come as standard to enhance a stress-free driving experience.
LAST WORD
We may have lost a good one when the Fiesta was discontinued, but the Puma gives us some reprieve from our woes. I am enamoured with how this thing looks and drives, and I was impressed by the levels of its useability as a daily vehicle. However, being a crossover means it has to compete with the Hyundai Kona, VW T-Roc, and many others existing in the hotly contested segment. It would be interesting to see how it fares, with its starting price of R569,900.
Report by BRYAN KAYAVHU | Images © FORD SOUTH AFRICA
