Renault 4 vs Ford Puma Gen-E: can French fancy declaw its EV rival?

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Head-to-head

On the street

The Puma is without doubt one of the best-handling small SUVs in petrol guise, and regardless of being round 200kg heavier, the Gen-E retains that automotive’s enjoyable character. In truth, the burden of the battery means it rides a bit extra easily. It’s not as comfy because the Renault 4, although, which provides a comfortable edge that promotes cruising consolation. By way of acceleration, there’s not a lot in it, however the Puma feels punchier off the road.

Tech highlights

The Renault’s cabin is carried over wholesale from the R5, so that you get a modern-looking format with loads of tech and user-friendly particulars. It’s an analogous story with the Puma Gen-E, which options the identical 12-inch touchscreen show because the petrol model, though as with that automotive, the display’s measurement and place imply that the steering wheel can find yourself obscuring among the info nearest the motive force.

Worth and operating

Each vehicles are nice worth for EVs, and it’s value noting that the electrical Puma prices lower than among the highest-spec variations of the petrol mannequin. Effectivity was sturdy for each vehicles, however the Renault’s determine of 4.0mi/kWh was eclipsed by the Ford’s, at 4.7mi/kWh. It implies that whereas the Puma has almost 10kWh much less of usable capability, its precise driving vary is much like that of the Renault’s, at simply over 200 miles on check.

Practicality

The Renault 4 is shorter than the Puma however has an extended wheelbase, whereas a wider cabin and taller roof imply it feels extra spacious for back-seat passengers. A really low load lip is one other profit that the Renault carries over the Ford, however the Gen-E has the higher total quantity courtesy of its Gigabox, which is larger than the petrol Puma’s Megabox. Surprisingly, the Ford additionally has under-bonnet storage – the Renault doesn’t.

Security

There are four-star Euro NCAP security rankings for each vehicles right here, with the Puma’s rating being carried over from the petrol model. On the R4, package akin to a door-opening warning and rear pedestrian-crossing alert when reversing can be found solely on the top-spec model. The Puma solely provides the latter, plus entrance parking sensors, adaptive cruise and blind-spot detection as a part of a £950 Superior Driver Help Pack.

Possession

Guarantee protection is barely common for the Puma, with a typical three-year/60,000-mile plan supplied, though it may be prolonged at additional value. For the Renault 4 there may be 4 years and 100,000 miles of canopy. As for servicing, intervals are each 24 months for each vehicles, though the Renault has an 18,000-mile restrict. Ford contains the primary 5 years of servicing within the value of the Puma to assist scale back prices even additional.

Verdict

Winner: Renault 4

What you’re taking a look at listed below are probably the 2 finest small electrical SUVs at the moment on sale, and selecting a winner is a tricky name. Nevertheless, we expect that the Renault 4 has a bonus over the Ford, courtesy of its additional passenger area and barely longer vary.