Summary
The Ford Puma is a small SUV launched in 2020 and given a light facelift in 2024. It is available in petrol-powered form, as covered here, as well as an electric Puma Gen-E model covered separately.
The Puma essentially replaces both the Fiesta hatch and EcoSport small SUV in the Ford line-up. It has been the UK’s best-selling new car for the last three years (2023 to 2025), taking over a position that the Fiesta had held for more than a decade.
UK media reviews have been consistently positive, particularly for the Puma’s sharp handling and well-judged ride. It’s widely regarded as one of the more enjoyable small SUVs to drive, while remaining comfortable and easy to live with.
Cabin design is functional rather than premium, but practicality is strong for its size. Particular praise has been given to its clever storage solutions, including a deep underfloor boot compartment known as the MegaBox.
Buyers choosing between this model and the electric Puma Gen-E will need to weigh lower upfront cost and familiar refuelling convenience for the petrol Puma against the higher efficiency and lower day-to-day running costs of the electric version.
Safety scores are average by current standards, and running costs are also middle of the pack. The weakest area is warranty cover, which is notably shorter than many rivals.
As of February 2026, the Ford Puma holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 64%. Strong media scores and competitive efficiency support the result, while average safety, average running costs and very limited warranty cover temper the overall grade. The Used Car Expert Rating is slightly higher at B (67%).
Puma highlights
- Sharp handling for a small SUV
- Comfortable and composed ride
- Clever MegaBox boot storage
- Efficient petrol engines
- Strong media review consensus
Puma lowlights
- Short warranty cover
- Safety rating only average
- Running costs not class-leading
- Interior materials feel ordinary
- Rear passenger space is tight
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol with mild hybrid support
Price: From £25,800 on-road
Launched: Winter 2019/20
Last updated: Summer 2024
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The Ford Puma is an impressive crossover and it’s clear to see why it’s already been extremely successful in the UK. From the outside, the body style might not make sense for those unfamiliar with the crossover style, but in the driving seat it makes perfect sense.”
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manul ST-Line
0Read full review
The Car Expert
“The Ford Puma looks the part, is a hoot to drive and comes with a sizable boot; but other SUVs are comfier on the road and provide a better view out.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
More reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed: 2024 facelift range
Score: 8 / 10
“The refreshed Ford Puma compact SUV is still the best-handling car in its class by far.”
Author: Shane Wilkinson, Alex Ingram
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol automatic ST-Line Vignale
Score: 6 / 10
“The seven-speed auto doesn’t really fit with the Ford Puma’s sporty character, and we’d only recommend it if you must have a self-shifter. Adding Vignale extras to ST-Line X spec seems an extravagance, too, unless you really need all the creature comforts it provides.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: 2024 facelift range
Score: 7 / 10
“While the Ford Puma’s handling is still leagues ahead of its competition, the amount of standard equipment is not generous, and the interior falls behind rivals like the Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008. As a result, the Puma’s uninterrupted reign over other compact crossovers no longer feels guaranteed, and it risks getting lost in the ever-growing jungle of small family SUVs.”
Author: Catherine King
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift (2019 to 2023) range
Score: 8 / 10
“The historic Puma badge now adorns a baby SUV with a choice of 1.0-litre petrol engines and hybrid tech, that rivals the likes of the Audi Q2, Nissan Juke, BMW X1, VW T-Cross and Skoda Kamiq.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: 2024 facelift range
Score: 6 / 10
“The proposition of a slightly roomier and more practical Fiesta was an enticing one, and when the Ford Puma came out, it felt like those virtues were upheld. Lamentably, though, it now feels like Ford has dropped the ball with the Puma. The cabin simply isn’t a very pleasant place to sit, the aesthetic is nigh-on dreary and some of the layout suggests any ergonomic merit was reduced to an afterthought.”
Author: Seth Walton
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line X
Score: 10 / 10
“The market might not have demanded yet another crossover, but this is undoubtedly one of the best small crossovers to date, and it sits right at the forefront of this sector. It’s impressively practical and also great to drive – two things that can’t be said about much of the competition.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: 2024 facelift range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Ford Puma is the best small SUV to drive and it’s highly rated by its owners.”
Author: Charlie Harvey
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line X
Score: 7.9 / 10
“No matter what you think of the name, or to some extent the looks, the Ford Puma is a great little car underneath – fine-handling, practical and very efficient.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Titanium
“Excellent small crossover addition that propels Ford into competitiveness for the first time in a rapidly growing segment.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line X
Score: 8 / 10
“New compact SUV puts the boot into rivals.”
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Not a cheap option but the Ford Puma is great to drive, should be cheap to run and certainly looks sharp compared to rivals. Could the B-SUV class have a new leader?”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“With frisky engines, sharp styling and impressive kit levels, the Ford Puma sits proudly at the top of the small SUV sector. You’ll pay more for one compared to the budget Ford EcoSport, but there’s a very good reason for that.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“There’s not much going against the Ford Puma. Not everyone will appreciate its looks, while it looks pricey alongside the EcoSport, you get what you pay for – and it’s certainly no more expensive than the likes of the Volkswagen T-Roc and Peugeot 2008.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“A fine compact SUV that entertains, as well as being practical”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Best handling small SUV is surprisingly practical too”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: ST
“The Ford Puma ST is a highly useful, highly entertaining car.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual
“How does the Ford Puma compare against crossover rivals like the revamped Nissan Juke, VW T-Cross or Kia Stonic? You’d be happy in any of them but the Puma has that magic MegaBox, excellent standard kit, hybrid tech and the best handling by some distance.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line X
Score: 8 / 10
“Big-booted crossover delivers smart looks and hatchback-like handling”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual Titanium
Score: 10 / 10
“As we’ve already mentioned, we really rather like the Ford Puma. However, what we hadn’t yet discovered was the best news of all: the best version is also the most affordable.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST Line
Score: 10 / 10
“After a glut of quite ordinary cars rushed into this burgeoning sector by a host of manufacturers, the new breed of second-generation vehicles are really quite good. Yet the Ford Puma takes this several steps further, with a specification and luggage capacity that rivals struggle to match and a driving quality which surpasses them all.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s an impressively rounded thing. Its combination of an interesting engine, strong cornering and dignified ride are hard to match in the class, and the interior is cleverly versatile as well as nicely furnished.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 75%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 69%
Despite being recently downgraded from top marks to a four-star crash test rating, the Ford Puma has a competitive set of safety scores, particularly for adult (front seat) and child (rear seat) protection. Scores for vulnerable road user (pedestrian and cyclist) protection and safety assistance systems (to help you avoid an accident in the first place) are also above average for the small SUV sector.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 1.0-litre petrol manual
Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: September 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.1 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.1 / 10
Model tested: 1.0-litre Flexifuel Ethanol Mode E85 FWD Manual
Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: December 2022
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 5.3 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 6.9 / 10
Model tested: 1.0-litre Flexifuel Petrol Mode E10 FWD Manual
Overall score: 2.5 stars
Date tested: December 2022
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 5.2 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.7 / 10
Please note that Green NCAP ratings are very specific to the engine/gearbox combination tested. These ratings only applies to the 1.0-litre petrol manual versions of the Puma. Any other engine, or models with automatic gearboxes, are not covered by this rating.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score |
| Petrol models | 49 mpg | C |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 127 g/km | B |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 20 | B |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £174 | B |
| Year 2 | £435 | A |
| Year 3 | £708 | A |
| Year 4 | £957 | B |
| Year 5 | £1,284 | B |
| Overall | £3,558 | B |
Running costs for the Ford Puma are generally very good, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, Clear Vehicle Data. Fuel consumption is average overall, but some models are better than others.
CO2 levels are very good, so road tax should be reasonable, while insurance and servicing costs are also excellent. Overall, the Puma should cost less than most new cars to run.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of February 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Ford Puma to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Puma, we’ll publish the score here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Ford Puma
| Overall rating | E | 15% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | 60,000 miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 0 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 0 miles |
Ford’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better).
Warranty on a used Ford Puma
- If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Ford Puma from an official Ford Direct dealership, you will get a minimum two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty included.
- If you are buying a used Ford Puma from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
- If you are buying a used Ford Puma from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Ford Puma
Date: July 2024
Recall number: R/2024/278
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2024 to 07/2024
Number of vehicles affected: 155
Defect: Puma vehicles that might have an intermittent instrument panel cluster display issue due to an incorrect software configuration. If this happens the cluster will turn black when turning the ignition on or while driving. The Ford dealer will update the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC).
Remedy: Update the instrument panel cluster (IPC) software to the latest level.
Date: September 2023
Recall number: R/2023/264
Model types: All
Build dates: 04/2023 to 08/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 13,487
Defect: Incorrectly configured Restraint Control Module (RCM), which can cause the restraint system not to work as intended. In the event of an incorrect crash sensor being installed throughout the life of the vehicle while in service, the current software will not detect it and will not display any warnings in the dash, so in the event of an accident, the restraint system’s performance could potentially be degraded, therefore increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Dealers will perform a configuration update in order to restore functionality.
Date: July 2022
Recall number: R/2022/239
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2022 to 07/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 9,388
Defect: It may be possible that the eCall feature will stop functioning due to a malfunction.
Remedy: The Telecommunication Module will need to be replaced.
Date: April 2022
Recall number: R/2022/171
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2020 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 9,818
Defect: Certain vehicles could have an engine oil separator that may have been damaged prior to engine assembly.
Remedy: Inspect the engine oil separator and if found to be damaged and/or leaking a replacement engine oil separator must be installed.
Date: May 2021
Recall number: R/2021/177
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2019 to 02/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 100
Defect: Vehicles may have an issue with the current software that controls the functionality of the eCall system.
Remedy: Carry out a software update.
Date: January 2021
Recall number: R/2021/008
Model types: Mild hybrid models
Build dates: 09/2020 to 10/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 151
Defect: There is a potential that the vehicle’s MHEV battery connections may become loose.
Remedy: Inspect and check torque on 48-volt battery cable connections.
Date: August 2020
Recall number: R/2020/248
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2019 to 07/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 428
Defect: It is possible that the hybrid battery connections may not have been torqued to Ford specification.
Remedy: The MHEV battery connections need to be checked and torqued to the correct value.
Date: February 2020
Recall number: R/2020/045
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2019 to 01/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 24,249
Defect: The driver’s airbag retention springs may be outside of manufacturing specifications and may not lock the module to the steering wheel.
Remedy: Install a replacement airbag retention spring.
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been eight DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Ford Puma to address different issues. However, recall information is updated regularly, so this may have changed.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Ford dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Puma, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Significant UK trophies and awards that the Ford Puma has received
2022
- Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best Car for New Drivers
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Compact Crossover
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Small Family Car
2021
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Small Crossover
- Auto Trader New Car Awards – Most Loved Car
- Business Car Awards – Best Comapct SUV
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Car of the Year + Best Compact Crossover
- Fleet News Awards – Best Company SUV
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Small Family Car
2020
- Business Car Awards – New Company Car of the Year + Best Compact SUV
- The News UK Motor Awards – Best Small SUV/crossover
- Parkers New Car Awards – New Car of the Year + Best Small Family Car
- Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Car of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford Puma, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Current models: Audi Q2 | Chery Tiggo 4 | Citroën C3 Aircrcoss | Dacia Duster | GWM Haval Jolion Pro | Honda HR-V | Hyundai Bayon | Jaecoo 5 | Jeep Renegade | KGM Tivoli | Kia Stonic | MG ZS | Nissan Juke | Omoda 5 | Peugeot 2008 | Renault Captur | SEAT Arona | Skoda Kamiq | Suzuki Vitara | Toyota Yaris Cross | Vauxhall Frontera | Vauxhall Mokka | Volkswagen T-Cross |
Discontinued models: Citroën C3 Aircross (2017 to 2023) | Dacia Duster (2017 to 2024) | Fiat 500X (2014 to 2024) | Ford EcoSport (2013 to 2023) | Honda HR-V (2015 to 2021) | Mazda CX-3 (2015 to 2021) | MG ZS (2017 to 2024) | Mitsubishi ASX (2010 to 2021) | Vauxhall Crossland (2017 to 2024) | Volkswagen T-Roc (2017 to 2025)
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Ford Puma at The Car Expert
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