Lots to like about new-look Ford Puma
The 'shield' design is more aerodynamic than a traditional grille, contributing to the Ford Puma's efficiency.
After the demise of the much-lamented Fiesta, the Puma is now the smallest Ford car available and the least expensive in the Blue Oval's lineup. The model has added another string to its bow with the all-electric Puma Gen-E running solely on battery power, bringing a zero-emission option to this, the brand's best-selling car in Europe. It leads the Ford pack in Ireland, too, by a distance. This electric version joins the EcoBoost Hybrid petrol, giving customers a range of powertrain choices.
Last year, Puma received a mid-lift facelift with some external and internal changes, like improved interior materials and a larger infotainment touchscreen with new graphics. The Gen-E differs from the hybrid petrol with a solid front grille 'shield' design replacing the conventional grille, taking inspiration from the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV. The shield design is more aerodynamic than a traditional grille, contributing to the car's efficiency. A sporty rear spoiler and unique alloy wheel designs also help with aerodynamics. Another difference is that the Puma name appears on the tailgate in white lettering. My car looked smart in a Frozen White exterior, but there are five other colours, including a vibrant Electric Yellow.
This deceptively high car makes it easy to get in and out. The well-thought-out interior is welcoming. The dash is dominated by two high-definition display screens powered by the company's latest generation SYNC 4 software; the large 12.8-inch digital instrument cluster with traffic, maps, etc. and a 12-inch infotainment system with cloud-connected navigation and Alexa built-in, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You mostly access climate controls through the touchscreen, but some always-on shortcuts are at the bottom of the screen.
The transmission selector's relocation to the steering column frees up space for a two-level centre console with storage. There's also a wireless mobile phone charger, and the 10-speaker B&O sound system includes an integrated soundbar that sits on the top of the dashboard.
Seats are designed for comfort and style with ergonomic headrests. Manual seat adjustments include recline. However, rear space could be tight for three adults on a long journey. Boot space of 574 litres can expand to 1,283 litres with rear seats folded. A huge selling point is the MegaBox storage solution, now supercharged to become a 'GigaBox' located under the boot floor, providing another 145 litres of additional space. It is waterproof with a drain plug, so it is ideal for washing muddy boots or dirty sports kits. It can also allow you to carry tall items with the boot floor removed. Boot space, the added GigaBox, and the 40-litre frunk under the bonnet add up to 566 litres of storage space, making this a really practical car. All Pumas come with a reversing camera and rear parking sensors. But no spare wheel.
The Premium grade offers a power tailgate, Matrix LED headlights, B&O sound system, glare-free Matrix LED headlamps with auto high beam, FordPass Connect and Emergency Assistance. The Advanced Driver Assistance Pack includes a 360-degree camera, blind spot information system, front sensors, and adaptive cruise control. It costs €1,350 but is worth the extra expense. Options include an openable panoramic roof, which costs €1,200. A Winter Pack (€450) includes heated seats, a windshield defroster, and a heated steering wheel, while a Comfort pack (+ €750) includes the power lift gate, heated side mirrors, and keyless Entry/Start.
With 168hp, Select and Premium grades use the same small 43kWh Standard Range battery, which claims electric ranges of 376 km and 345 km, respectively. This increases to around 523 km for city driving, which is why Ford says this electric Puma was built for the city. The car's top speed is 160km/h, torque is 290 Nm, and acceleration from 0 to 100km/h takes 7.8 seconds. Its energy consumption is circa 14.6 kWh/100km.
You can opt for one-pedal driving to make stop-start travel through city traffic much easier. Recharging the battery from 10 to 80 per cent with a DC fast charger takes around 23 minutes.
I felt good behind the wheel, and instant torque provides nippy acceleration, making this a fun car to drive. The ride is on the firm side, but the comfy seats help here. I first found the steering on the light side, but soon got used to it. The car is very manoeuvrable about town with its small turning circle of 10 metres.
PRICES: Gen-E electric from €32,916 - €35,717.95. Prices include SEAI EV grant and VRT Relief. The EcoBoost petrol hybrid is from €31,465.
