Ready to pounce on a Puma? Get your claws stuck into its confusing trim level range – we’ve made it simple.
Ford’s lineup now includes a host of cars with badges found in an old storage cupboard. Capri, Explorer and Kuga (Cougar) have all been used before, as has the Puma nameplate. Don’t hold your breath for an Escort or Probe reinvention…
Readers of a certain vintage will remember the Puma coupe from the 1990s, and it might seem a bit strange to name a small SUV after that. But the best-selling Puma SUV and the original coupe are both Fiesta based, both fun to drive, both come with 125hp or 155hp, and are both compact and easy to park.
Ford Puma models
Given that we don’t sell any classic Ford Pumas (imagine if we did!), we’ll focus on the current Puma. Having been on sale since 2019, the Puma SUV has already had a longer production run than the coupe, and its popularity is showing no sign of stopping. Pumas are everywhere.
The Puma SUV comes in a five-door raised hatchback bodystyle, providing more space than the Ford Fiesta without taking up much more of the road. Most Pumas come with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, although the Puma range has broadened in recent years and now includes:
Ford Puma ST
Fun, fast and fizzy – the Puma ST offers the driving experience of a Mentos-filled Coke bottle. It launches into corners with tenacity and excitement, and makes uncouth noises when you really give it the beans. The handling is poised, the steering is almost telepathically controlled, and it feels powerful without necessarily risking your driving licence. It feels cheeky. You can only get recent versions with an automatic gearbox, which is a shame – it’s not a bad choice, but the honey-sweet manual gearbox on older Puma STs (mated to a more powerful engine) was a key part of the driving experience.
Ford Puma Gen-E
Ford’s electric Puma shouldn’t be good – it’s the equivalent of a Lego set where the pieces don’t quite fit together. But it is good. Despite the Puma never having been initially developed to take an electric powertrain, and Ford not having the wherewithal to create its own electric powertrains, the Puma Gen-E is a strong choice.
The battery is small but the relatively lightweight Gen-E is amazingly efficient, so range shouldn’t be a worry. It’s still fun to drive, even though it weighs considerably more than a petrol Puma. And the petrol car’s 'Megabox' under-boot storage area has turned into a 'GIGABOX' because there’s no exhaust system to work around. Although it doesn’t have an exhaust, Ford’s made it sound like the EcoBoost engine.
Ford Puma trim levels
- Titanium/Titanium Design – the cheapest Puma models do without the sporty add-ons, which will appeal to buyers wanting a cleaner look or a slightly comfier ride. Equipment includes a heated windscreen, cruise control and smartphone mirroring
- ST-Line/ST-Line Design – popular ST-Line trim adds sharper bumpers, red interior accents and slightly firmed-up suspension
- ST-Line X – the first of several ST-Line trims with more standard equipment than the… standard ST-Line trim. ST-Line X includes a B&O sound system, wireless phone charging and bigger wheels
- ST-Line Vignale – sporty styling with a bit of polish. The grille has chrome dots, there are shiny wheels and you get extra equipment
- Vivid Ruby Edition – A special edition model signified by Vivid Ruby paint and a black roof
- ST – the standalone performance model has sports seats, exclusive wheels, an aero package for the bodywork and lots of ST badges
- Select – the first of two trim levels for the Puma Gen-E, which broadly matches ST-Line
- Premium – the higher-spec Gen-E with a similar equipment list to ST-Line X
Ford Puma generations
Second generation – 2019-on
- Massive-selling small SUV with lots of choice
- Most come with a chain-driven mild-hybrid petrol engine
- Ended up replacing both the Fiesta and EcoSport
- Facelifted in 2024
First generation – 1997-2002
- Curvy small coupe provided affordable, lightweight fun
- Becoming a classic and sought after
- Unfortunately hard to find because many rusted away
- Ford Racing Puma had rally-derived makeover for improved performance
What’s the best Ford Puma model?
All Puma SUVs share the same basic qualities – an easy-to-understand interior, a sense of fun and cute looks. You might be happy with the Titanium model, or you might decide you’d like the sporty styling and extra equipment from the ST-Line trims. The Puma ST is the best for performance and the Puma Gen-E is best for running costs, but the standard petrol engine provides a good balance between the two.
Read our Ford Puma review or shop used Ford Puma cars for sale.
