- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.0T, 3 cyl.
- Engine Power
92kW, 170Nm
- Fuel
Petrol 5.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2019)
2021 Ford Puma review
Although Ford’s newcomer didn’t exactly have big boots to fill, the Puma smashes it out of the park as a technologically advanced small SUV with space and a fun driving characteristic.
- High level of standard equipment
- Engaging and fun driving experience
- Clever storage solutions
- Sits at the pricier end of the segment
- Manual handbrake is a bit archaic
- Must use 95-octane fuel
Coming off the weak base that was the Ford EcoSport, the only way for Ford was up. You see, Ford’s unloved first crossover wasn’t a high point of Ford’s existence Down Under, though the new 2021 Ford Puma is set to change things.
It’s the smallest SUV the brand offers, and starts off from $31,990 drive-away (or $29,990 before on-road costs) for the eponymous base-level Ford Puma specification. Our tester came fitted with the $1500 optional parking pack, which semi-automated parking (among other tricks) and the $2000 optional panoramic sunroof.
The base-level Ford Puma is pricier than many of its light SUV rivals, such as the Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Venue, Nissan Juke and Volkswagen T-Cross, but it comes equipped with some neat features as standard.
You do feel as if you’re getting a good value with features such as satellite navigation, wireless phone charging, auto high beam, rain-sensing wipers, LED ambient interior lighting, digital radio, and some nifty LED puddle lamps that display a puma cat.
There are also 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as swanky massage seats – certainly an oddity at this price point.
The entire Puma range is powered by a 92kW/170Nm 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Power is sent to the front wheels.
Key details | 2021 Ford Puma |
Engine | 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder |
Power | 92kW @ 6000rpm |
Torque | 170Nm @ 1500-4500rpm |
Weight (tare) | 1264kg |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 72.8kW/t |
Price (MSRP) | $29,990 |
Interior Comfort
The interior space of the new Ford Puma is a modern, functional space with a suite of neat features and cool tech. Cloth upholstery adorns the seats, which feels robust and built to last the distance (not to mention features a cool design), while the seats themselves are firm and supportive – especially around the shoulders.
Though it’s a $2000 option, the panoramic sunroof works to lift in-cabin ambience, filling it with light and the sense that it’s a larger space than it actually is. There’s a good amount of space to get comfortable with in the front row, and the seats have a good level of adjustment to allow the driver to get a good perch to see clearly out of the cabin.
Ford has employed a series of soft-touch finishes to cover most touchpoints, which is a point of difference for the segment, as many rivals tend to make-do with hard plastics on the door cards and dash tops, for example.
The plush leather-covered steering wheel is nice to hold, and contains a series of button shortcuts to operate different infotainment functions. The touchscreen is just a short reach away, and placed at the forefront of the dash for easy-access operation.
Back seat passengers will have no trouble getting in and out of the second row thanks to a large door aperture, and once inside the space on offer is commendable for the segment.
Small-to-average-sized passengers should have no trouble folding their legs in behind the seats, while there’s a good amount of shoulder and foot room too. Head room isn’t fantastic for taller occupants – we’d be curious to try a Puma without the sunroof to see if it’s any better.
Storage-wise, there’s a small cubby behind the centre console for rear passengers to use, as well as two map pockets and door bins. There are no rear air vents, though that’s par for the course in this light-SUV segment.
The Puma has deep and wide door pockets to store a number of items, as well as a slot in front of the shifter for wireless phone charging and keys, for example. There’s a couple of cupholders next to the shifter, though storage between the seats is limited.
Ford says the Puma’s boot capacity is rated at 410L. It’s a respectable size for a small SUV, and a very useable space thanks to a false floor that allows for easy loading, a plastic-lined sub-floor cavity over the space-saver spare wheel, and a wide aperture to shove in bigger items. The cargo blind is also a neat unit that connects to the hatch rather than the back seats, which means the back seats can be folded down (60:40 split) without having to remove the blind.
A manual handbrake features in the front row - just a sole aberration from an otherwise technologically focused space.
Infotainment & Connectivity
Ford’s tried-and-tested Sync 3 infotainment system features in the Puma. It’s a simple system to become acquainted with, and features a series of shortcut buttons along the bottom, plus its clear and concise mapping is easy to get used to.
For those who prefer it, smartphone mirroring is on offer with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto services covered.
FordPass Connect is available on the Puma, which allows an owner to check various car systems via a simple mobile phone application. It can tell you where your vehicle is, unlock the car, check the health of the vehicle, and display live traffic feeds.
The Puma has one USB-C port in the centre console, one USB-A port next to the shifter, and a 12-volt outlet for charging various devices.
Get a great deal today
Interested in this car? Provide your details and we'll connect you to a member of the Drive team.
At a glance | 2021 Ford Puma |
Fuel consumption (claimed combined) | 5.3L/100km |
Fuel consumption (on test) | 6.6L/100km |
Tow rating | 750kg (braked) |
Boot volume | 410L |
Length | 4186mm |
Width | 1805mm |
Height | 1550mm |
Wheelbase | 2588mm |
Turning circle | 10.4m |
ANCAP safety rating | Five-star (tested 2019) |
Warranty | Five year/unlimited km |
Servicing cost | $1516 (five years) |
Price (MSRP) | $29,990 |
Safety
The Australian New Car Assessment Program ruled that the Ford Puma deserves a five-star safety rating in late 2019. It managed a 94 per cent result for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 77 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 74 per cent for safety assist.
All Puma variants come standard with six airbags, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, a driver impairment monitor, rear parking sensors and a tyre pressure monitor.
The $1500 Park Pack fitted to our tester also adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centring capabilities, plus active park assist with front, side and rear sensors and blind-spot detection.
Value for Money
Starting from $31,990 drive-away, the Ford Puma finds itself at the pricier end of the light-SUV market. That said, the level of standard equipment on offer – regardless of optional packs – is high.
From an ownership perspective, the Puma is covered by Ford’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Ford also throws in seven years of roadside assistance as long as you service your vehicle regularly at approved service centres.
Each service must be completed at 15,000km or 12-month intervals, with the first five visits setting buyers back $1516.
Driver Technology
The Ford Puma we tested features the $1500 Park Pack, which allows the car to semi-autonomously park itself. In practice, the system works very accurately and is swift at picking out suitable spots to plonk itself.
It also features start/stop technology, a radar-based adaptive cruise-control system, and a TFT display within the instrument cluster. While not a fully digital display, the small insert screen still allows the driver to view a digital speedo, control phone functions, change music and fiddle with the car’s functions.
Also of note is a rear-view camera with parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, hill hold and launch assist, as well as an emergency assistant that will automatically phone up emergency services if the vehicle detects a crash.
Powertrain Performance
Its 92kW/170Nm outputs might not sound too hot on paper, but the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine of the Puma is a punchy and spritely unit. Peak outputs occur at 6000rpm (power) and between 1500–4500rpm (torque) - perfect for around-town duties.
It only has to shift 1264kg (tare) – which is a pretty standard weight for its class – but the pairing between seven-speed gearbox and turbocharged motor works in harmony for a pleasant little drive.
There’s a sense of hesitation when taking off from a set of lights, but it only takes a fraction of a second for the Puma to figure out what it’s doing and then snap into action. Once on the move, gearshifts are effectively unnoticeable, and the car responds diligently to sudden throttle inputs.
Not only is the Puma’s powertrain competent, it’s also a quiet operator. Engine noise levels are kept to a minimum, while road and wind noise are also subdued.
Energy Efficiency
Fuel use in the Ford Puma is claimed to be 5.3L/100km (combined), though our testing indicated a more realistic 6.6L/100km should be expected. Being a small-capacity turbocharged unit, you can expect the Puma to use less fuel than larger-engined alternatives such as the Mazda CX-3.
The Ford Puma does ask to be filled with a minimum of 95-octane fuel, which will eat into owners’ budgets.
Ride & Handling
The base Ford Puma on test goes without the sports-tuned suspension of its more expensive alternative variants. The steering is nice and direct – a trademark of European-designed Ford products – which makes for an entertaining drive, as well as being accurate when manoeuvring about suburbia. It’s a well-weighted system that strikes a nice balance between being feelsome and not being overly heavy.
It rides nicely over mid-town bumps and potholes, while even larger speedhumps can be attempted at speed without upsetting the car’s composure.
Even on the open road, the Ford Puma is positively fun to pedal through tight switchback corners. Its small frame is agile and eager to get involved in sporty driving.
Fit for Purpose
As a small-car ownership package, the Ford Puma presents a strong showing. It may cost a little more than some rivals on initial outlay, but its servicing costs, warranty, and included roadside assistance package will all help make that extra outlay easier to stomach.
For a light SUV it’s well equipped, the cabin features a comfortable amount of space, and materials quality is high.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that the Ford Puma is a worthy addition to the segment. It’s the best, actually – hence taking out the segment win as Drive Car of the Year, best light SUV category.
It moves the game on in terms of interior presentation, in-cabin technology and useable space. It’s also a handy little steer that should have drivers smiling and passengers comforted – be it around town or on the open road.
The Ford Puma is a fun-loving type of car that, although priced at the higher end of the scale, will have owners feeling justified in their decision to pay that bit extra.