ANIMAL MAGNETISM

Ford’s sleek new baby softroader mixes the practicality of an SUV with the sportiness of a hatchback

Ford’s new baby SUV, the Puma, feels like a hatchback. I was expecting it to be compact, but it’s even smaller than I had anticipated. In the driver’s seat I feel comfortable and secure, almost enveloped by the cockpit. I push the button to start the engine then I’m on my way.

CLAWS LIKE A PUMA

The Puma grips the road as I drive and the steering reacts well to my inputs.

It takes a while to pick up speed. The acceleration feels a little flat at first and then it lurches forward a little as it kicks from one gear into the next, even though I’m driving an automatic. Once it’s picked up speed though, it’s a pleasant ride, although it’s smoother on the open roads than it is on the school run.

It may feel like a hatchback on the inside but on the outside it looks like a sporty SUV, albeit a miniature version.

TECH WINS

The car’s Apple CarPlay system connects to my iPhone flawlessly and I toss it onto a plate in front of the gear shifter to recharge my phone wirelessly as I drive. I can navigate and access music in my phone via the 8-inch colour touch screen, controlling the volume and skipping songs using buttons on the steering wheel.

Auto headlamps mean I don’t need to worry about whether they should be turned on or off and traffic-sign recognition ensures I can always see the speed zone I’m in with a quick glance at the dash. I love how I can tailor the layout of the digital instruments so I’m staring at a large speedo with my current speed.

The reverse camera with guide markers makes parking a breeze and I can nab those tight spots on the school run.

FULL OF SURPRISES

I make a wonderful discovery when driving my son to a birthday party one night. The front seats have massage rollers that can go up or down your back, with three pressure settings. It’s a lovely surprise and one I can’t resist turning on every time I get in the car.

All three kids love the feature as well. When driving at night, I also notice the subtle ambient lighting that lines some of the car’s interior features such as the cup holders and around the dash.

The 410-litre boot space is surprisingly big when you consider how compact the car is. I do a half shop with four full shopping bags and there’s plenty of room for more. The kids’ giant schoolbags sit in the boot neatly on the school run and the boot opens and closes with ease, even if it is a little high for me.

There’s also an under-boot compartment that would be handy for storing tools or the kids’ dirty soccer boots.

SMALL NIGGLES

On a school run one morning I take my protein shake with me for the drive. I drop it into the cup holder and crush my hand as I release the hand brake which is just a little too close for comfort.

The next sunny morning I want to store my sunglasses case in the centre console between the two front seats and it won’t fit on first try. I have to lift the floating shelf out, place the case underneath then replace the shelf. It’s fiddly and hardly worth it.

The kids are comfortable in the back with my youngest still in a booster seat, but it’s not spacious enough for three kids on long drives. There are Isofix restraint connectors on the outside two seats but no airconditioning vents or charging ports in the rear.

The Ford Puma is a great compact car. While it’s not ideal for my family of five, it’s sporty, compact and a pleasure to drive.