Name: Ford Puma ST (2020 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Ford Puma ST
Rating: 63.0

Summary

The Ford Puma ST is the performance version of the petrol Ford Puma, introduced in 2020. It combines the standard Puma’s small SUV practicality with a more powerful engine and chassis upgrades intended to deliver sharper handling.

Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 200hp, shared with the previous Fiesta ST. Suspension, steering and brakes are tuned for more focused driving, and visual changes inside and out distinguish the ST from the regular Puma.

UK media reviews have been broadly positive. The Ford Puma ST is widely regarded as one of the most engaging small SUVs to drive, with strong grip and quick steering response. The engine delivers brisk acceleration while retaining everyday usability.

However, the firmer suspension and large wheels can make the ride unsettled on rough roads. Interior materials are similar to the standard Puma and do not feel especially premium, and the sports seats may not suit all drivers.

Safety and running costs are average for the class, while CO₂ emissions are higher than the standard mild hybrid Puma. As with other Ford models, warranty cover is notably shorter than many rivals.

As of February 2026, the Ford Puma ST holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 62%. Strong media review scores support the result, while average safety performance, average running costs, higher emissions and very limited warranty cover reduce the overall grade. The Used Car Expert Rating is slightly higher at B (65%).

Puma ST highlights

Sharp handling for a small SUV
Strong turbocharged petrol engine
More engaging to drive than the standard Puma
Practicality retained from regular model
Positive media review consensus

Puma ST lowlights

Firm ride on rough roads
Higher CO₂ emissions than standard Puma
Running costs only average
Interior materials feel ordinary
Very short warranty cover

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £33,880 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: Summer 2024
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“When Ford updated the Puma at the end of 2024, one significant update made to the flagship ST variant wasn’t for the better. Ford dropped the 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and manual gearbox, leaving just the lower-powered 1.0-litre version with the Powershift automatic. This combination simply doesn’t do justice to the ST badge, and while the car’s chassis is lively and entertaining, the lack of punch and slow-witted auto put a big dampener on what the car can deliver. “

Model reviewed: 2025 update

Score: 5 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Dean Gibson

“The Ford Puma ST is the sportiest version of the Puma compact SUV, with meaner looks and a racier setup, but it’s very uncomfortable around town.”

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Darren Cassey

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre 3cyl turbocharged petrol
Score: 9 / 10
“In the Puma ST, Ford has created the best-handling compact SUV on the market – and by some margin. True, it’s more expensive than the Fiesta ST with which the Puma ST shares so much – and not quite as thrilling to drive – but if this is the sort of car you want, it’s the best of its type.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed:
“Ford decided to give its already sporty little Puma crossover the full ST treatment, based on the engine and other bits from the brilliant Fiesta ST. In the process we think it might just have reinvented the hot hatch as we know it.”
Read review

“The Ford Puma is one of the best crossovers on the market, so the Puma ST performance edition looked incredibly promising. But changes made in the pursuit of speed have been aggressive, so it’ll be down to your driving style as to whether they suit you.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: Performance Pack
Score: 8 / 10
“As a package, the Puma ST shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it demonstrates the talent of Ford’s engineers as this car must be the most fun to drive small crossover on-sale right now.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual
Score: 10 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST feels just as pliable and adjustable as the Fiesta ST supermini on which it’s based; from the seating position – which simply feels a little higher than the Fiesta’s – to the powertrain, which actually improves on the superminis. The result is an unlikely all-rounder.”
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Car Keys

Score: 10 / 10
“Combine one of the most fun hot hatches with one of the best-driving crossovers and the result is brilliant. The Ford Puma ST is unquestionably one of the best cars of its type to drive, offering just that bit more practicality than the Fiesta ST with its larger boot and more generous rear-seat space.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST is great to drive, has a brilliant engine and offers all the practicality of an SUV with hot hatch thrills.”
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Daily Mirror

Score: 8 / 10
“Those already in the crossover camp who want a family car with more sparkle will undoubtedly love the Puma.”
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Eurekar

Model reviewed: ST-Line X Vignale
“What really makes this car such a winner is it’s driving experience and fun nature – starting with its smart design.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
“It’s not quite in the same league as the Kuga and that is arguably its toughest rival, but it delivers more of what I think a driver wants in terms of style and image. And it has that captivating ST badge.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A slightly more grown up and practical take on the excellent Fiesta ST that we can’t help but wish was less crossover and more coupe.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Puma’s sporty styling – including a sloping roofline silhouette and pronounced wheel arches – lends itself to a more extreme Puma ST design that combines form and function.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The whole car feels just as pliable and adjustable as the supermini on which its based; from the seating position which simply feels a little higher than the Fiesta’s – to the powertrain, which actually improves on the superminis.”
Read review

The Sun

Model reviewed: Range overview
“It’s loads of fun. Just brilliant fun – and it’s even practical.”
Read review

Model reviewed:
“It’s a lot of fun to drive in a hurry, extremely well engineered and worthy of the ST badge. If just a little pricey.”
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The Sunday Times

Score: 6 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST is fun but flawed.”
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The Telegraph

Score: 8 / 10
“A combination of a high-performance drivetrain and a modish supermini SUV looks a winner on paper, but in practice the Ford Puma ST pricey and too harsh.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The right badge on the wrong car? Perhaps not. It’s a cracker to drive.”
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

No eco rating

As of February 2026, the Ford Puma ST has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	47 mpg	C

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	150 g/km	C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	21	B

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£208	B
Year 2	£529	B
Year 3	£856	B
Year 4	£1,133	C
Year 5	£1,507	C
Overall	£4,233	C

The Ford Puma ST is a bit more expensive to own and run than the regular Puma models, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Average servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years are likely to be about 40% more expensive than a regular Puma, while fuel economy is about 6mpg worse as well.

The good news is that insurance costs are expected to be very good, which is a pleasant surprise for a performance model.

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 ST 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 ST, we’ll publish the score here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Ford Puma ST

Overall ratingE15%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileage60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration0 years
Battery warranty mileage0 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 ST

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Ford Puma ST 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 ST 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 ST 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 ST

Date: November 2023
Recall number: R/2023/329
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2023 to 06/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 144
Defect: Certain vehicles are equipped with tyres which do not meet the Rolling Road Resistance as required to support emissions and CO₂ requirements.
Remedy: Tyre replacement if required.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there has been one DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Ford Puma ST to address a tyre issue. 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 ST, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.

Everything you need to know about UK vehicle recalls

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Ford Puma ST, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi SQ2 | Ford Fiesta ST | Hyundai Kona N | Mini Countryman JCW | Volkswagen T-Roc R

Performance compact SUVs are not exactly plentiful, but if you desire one there are some alternatives to the Puma ST, though generally they are 4x4s and so cost more money, while according to reviewers offering arguably less fun.

Alternatively, within the Ford family you could always look at the Fiesta ST, since it shares most of its underpinnings withe the higher-riding Puma.