You’re bootiful, it’s true
FoRD really has excelled in the small SUV market, with its new family-friendly puma taking top honours in the motor industry ‘ oscars’ this week. Reborn after two decades’ absence as an SUV (the 1997-2001 original was a sporty coupe) — it has defied early doubters to be crowned car of the Year 2020 as well as best small SUV in the annual What car? awards.
Ahead of first deliveries next month, priced from £20,545 to £25,195, judges hailed it as ‘truly outstanding’ thanks to its stylish looks, practicality, sharp handling, gutsy engine and clever mild hybrid technology which promises ‘fun and frugality.’
But these points aside, one of its biggest selling points is its boot. With the second row of seats folded flat, a flexible rear load compartment expands the luggage space to 456 litres and can comfortably accommodate a box 112 cm long, 97 cm wide and 43 cm high.
But the real genius lies under the boot’s flexible floor — with three positions easily adjusted using one hand. Ford calls it the MegaBox, a deep, submerged hidden space (764 x 753 x 306 mm) adding another 80 litres.
this is sufficient to hold two full sets of golf clubs in bags or a foldaway bicycle, or to house unstable items up to 4ft tall, such as plants, upright.
Smart technology means with your hands full you can open the rear tailgate with a kicking motion under the rear bumper.
Based on the Fiesta, and built in Romania, there is a choice of three 1-litre ecoBoost engines — a 125 hp version available with or without a mild hybrid (most buyers will choose to have it), and a 155 hp version.
the 125 hp mild hybrid, cost-ing from £20,845, £20 845 will do 52.3 52 3mpg mpg with co2 emissions of 99 g/km, rest to 62 mph in 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 119 mph.
the more powerful 155 hp, in mild hybrid only, does rest to 62 mph in 8.9 seconds up to 127 mph but still manages 51.4 mpg and co2 of 101 g/km.