Ford Puma evaluate | Auto Categorical

Whereas the trip is on the agency aspect of the category, it’s not crashy. The constructive physique management helps negotiate some bumps, too, as a result of over uneven and adversely cambered roads, the physique doesn’t get thrown round as a lot because it does in another small SUVs. 

Nonetheless, we’d keep away from going too excessive up the Puma vary when you can, as a result of trip consolation on ST-Line X fashions – outfitted with 19-inch wheels and uprated suspension – is definitely treading a nice line between a sporty feeling and outright bumpiness.

Individuals who like a automotive that responds rapidly to inputs would do nicely to keep away from the automated gearbox. It’s very sluggish and unresponsive when driving keenly, which suggests it’s often slowed down when coming into a nook. Sport mode helps as a result of it holds a decrease ratio, however that also means you’re at the very least one gear too excessive for a nook, fairly than two or three when in regular mode. 

This case is compounded by the truth that there’s no guide override out there with the automated transmission, which fully kills the enjoyable. This may be nice if Ford supplied every model with a guide gearbox, however the two strongest engines – together with the ST – are solely out there with the auto.

Motorway driving and long-distance consolation

The EcoBoost models, which could be barely thrummy at decrease speeds, quiet down right into a quiet cruise. Respectable torque figures imply that they typically really feel pretty robust when accelerating as much as 70mph, too. The bottom mannequin’s 0-62mph time of 9.8 seconds shall be greater than sufficient for many patrons.

“What nonetheless impresses me concerning the Ford is the quantity of torque from its tiny 1.0-litre engine. Even when it’s loaded up with all my digital camera gear the Puma has a terrific flip of tempo and the engine pulls actually strongly proper as much as the highest finish. It does create a noticeable quantity of noise within the decrease gears, nevertheless it’s simple to forgive this for the general package deal.” – Pete Gibson, senior photographer, who lived with a pre-facelift Ford Puma ST-Line for six months.

With a gas economic system determine of 52.3mpg, the Puma mHEV with the 123bhp engine and a guide transmission appears promisingly frugal on paper. After we ran the 153bhp mHEV on our take a look at fleet, we averaged 44.3mpg, which was an honest, if not excellent, return for a automotive of this dimension.