Ford of Europe and Ford of Britain both seem to be unfazed by their ongoing gentle sales slide. The days of offering cars all the way from Ka to Scorpio-sized plus multiple MPVs and SUVs are gone. Long gone. The Explorer and Capri are experiencing a slow ramp-up but both should come good relatively soon while in LCVs Ford is a tour de force. Especially in the UK.
The other model which does very well in Britain is the Puma, now updated and about to be joined by an electric variant called Gen-e. These should be around for a while too, perhaps even until 2029 or 2030 with a second rumoured refresh pencilled in for 2026/2027. Right now though, the Fiesta-sized and -based crossover is attracting a lot of buyers in its revised-for-2025 form.
Go deeper with GlobalData
ST’s 1.5 engine is no more
An altered front end is the main exterior change plus fresh colours and wheel designs. When it comes to the mix of powertrains, the 147 kW (200 PS) 1.5-litre petrol unit has been discontinued, three 1.0-litre alternatives remaining. Power outputs for these turbocharged three-cylinder mild hybrids are 92 kW (125 PS), 114 kW (155 PS) or 117 kW (160 PS). Curiously, Ford originally said the ST’s power was 170 PS but this has since been lowered by 10 PS. Torque is 200 Nm.
Ford lent me a 155 PS example for a week, long enough to experience the Puma in a variety of weather conditions and on multiple different types of roads. Dynamically it remains best-in-class though inside the car, deleting certain physical controls and placing these functions on what is a larger screen will not be loved by everyone.
Unsurprisingly, Ford’s official description of the new dashboard puts a positive spin on things. The Puma has been given, it says, “… a new sports car-style cockpit [which] wraps around the occupants with screens mounted high and angled towards the driver, while physical buttons are at a minimum for a calm environment”.
Small yet spacious
Something which hasn’t changed is just how roomy this little car has always been. Not that many who buy a Puma will regularly carry a full complement of passengers but there is genuine space for five occupants. The deep, 80-litre ‘MegaBox’ below the boot floor remains a handy and unusual feature. Ford reckons it can hold the contents of a small supermarket trolley and that a dog crate will fit above it in the boot itself. Total volume is 456 litres.
I am yet to drive to the Gen-e but it will inevitably be quite a different experience as weight is up significantly to 1,553 kilos. Still, Ford of Europe has an uncanny ability to engineer its vehicles to standards which exceed what most customers expect, so the little EV might well prove to be a segment champion.
The 125 PS petrol engine is good but the 155 version is better. However the DCT could stand some improvements. It’s one of those transmissions where even when in D or R, the car can roll backwards or forwards for a slightly alarming second or two when parking on a slope.
Paddle shifters no more
Ford used to specify paddle shifters but these seem have been removed as part of the package of alterations. You do at least still get some other tactile things such as a mechanical handbrake lever but the steering wheel is less ideal, being a really odd shape and too large. The stalk for wipers and wash is also gone leaving the remaining left hand one a touch overloaded. All of this has the whiff of cost-cutting.
It’s a great city vehicle, this. Only 4.2 m long and not too wide either. Many former Fiesta owners will inevitably continue to trade in their cars for a Puma, the extra space and easier entry and egress being obvious drawcards. It’s also quite a looker, and Ford did well not to mess with the appearance. If anything, the facelift is an improvement, to my eyes anyway.
One of the main things people want in small crossovers and SUVs is fuel economy and a low CO2 average. And they’ll find them in this vehicle, particularly with the least expensive engine.
Three cylinders become two
All variants have a 48-volt mild hybrid system and the tiny triple-cylinder unit will even run on just two of those under certain conditions. The integrated starter-generator, which replaces an alternator, works smoothly and adds a handy boost of torque just when you want it. The test car averaged 53 mpg which is better than the official WLTP number.
All Pumas are manufactured in Romania, the Craiova factory producing petrol and battery versions on the same line. The Gen-e, incidentally, has both a motor (124 kW with 290 Nm) and battery (43 kWh) in common with the Tourneo E-Courier. You can pick the EV from other Pumas by its lack of tailpipes and body-coloured plastic panel where the ICE variants have a grille.
Trim levels are Titanium, ST-Line, ST-Line X and ST but there are only two for the Gen-e, these being called Select and Premium. The seven-speed DCT of the press tester is standard-fit for all Pumas but a six-speed manual can be optionally ordered for the base engine. As for the new EV, this has a single-ratio. All Pumas are front-wheel drive.
Summary
There are now so many models in the B-SUV class that it’s almost hard to remember some of them. The Puma, however, remains a stand-out highlight and along with the VW T-Cross, is still one of the best contenders in its segment.
Pricing for the revised Ford Puma range starts at GBP26,350 or GBP29,995 for the Gen-e. The as-tested 155 PS ST-Line X seven-speed DCT costs from GBP31,350 before options.
