Ford has unveiled an update for the best-selling Puma SUV, featuring tweaked styling and massive screens inside
One of the UK’s best-selling cars has been treated to a mid-life refresh. The Ford Puma now has updated front-end looks and a huge update to its tech haul.
Available to order now, the facelifted Ford Puma starts at £26,590 for a Titanium model with a 125hp 1.0-litre petrol engine and a manual gearbox. That’s an increase of £950 over the outgoing Puma in the same spec.
The Puma’s interior has received the biggest changes – it’s almost unrecognisable from Ford’s other models. Where the pre-facelift Puma had an eight-inch touchscreen mounted on top of the dashboard, the new one swaps in a whopping 12-inch screen that looks like an iPad tacked to the dash.
It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well Ford’s latest infotainment software – plus a beefier processor for faster load times. Updates now happen over-the-air – you don’t need a Ford dealer to install it for you. Amazon Alexa voice assistance is also included.
Joining the new touchscreen is a 12.8-inch digital instrument cluster – again, much bigger than the one it replaces. Ford promises much more customisability for this screen, which is very welcome.
To accommodate these new screens, the dashboard has been completely redesigned. The cowl over the digital dial display has gone, as have the physical air conditioning controls – they’ve been integrated into the touchscreen.
The engine range has been slightly slimmed down. A 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine is the only choice, but the middle 155hp version is no longer available with a manual gearbox. In a blow to hot hatch fans, the fastest Ford Puma ST has been dropped, as well – although you can still buy an auto ST with a 170hp version of the 1.0-litre petrol. All versions of the engine feature mild-hybrid technology to reduce fuel consumption.
We’re still waiting for the fully electric Ford Puma to arrive. Due later this year, the Puma EV is likely to get the same powertrain as the upcoming Ford Tourneo Courier EV – a 136hp electric motor and a battery in the region of 50kWh, for a range of around 200 miles.
The Puma’s styling has only been mildly refreshed. There’s a larger front grille with the Ford badge now sitting in the middle, rather than above it, and there are redesigned headlights with a fresh LED light signature. Titanium loses its chrome trim, while there are new colours on offer.
It retains its unique 80-litre ‘MegaBox’ space under the boot. With that included, boot space stands at 456 litres.
The Puma is Ford’s smallest car that’s still available to order brand-new since the Fiesta was discontinued. It aims to pinch supermini buyers as well as compete against more direct rivals like the Nissan Juke and SEAT Arona.
Browse our used Ford Puma cars for sale or read our Ford Puma review.
