Puma still has a few good lives left in it

Ford’s SUV looks very different from its elder namesake, but is just as much fun to drive, says Julie Marshall

The original Ford Puma was on the market between 1997 and 2001 and was one of the first cars I drove as a fledgling motoring correspondent in 2000.

A long-standing Ford fan I loved the sporty sleek little coupe and I was sad to see it go after just a few short years.

The modern-day Puma, which was launched in 2019 and is built in Romania shares a name but not a body-style with its predecessor.

This time around it is a chunky five-door compact SUV.

It has retained some of its former style though with a low, sloping roofline and pronounced wheel arches. It has a high driving position and a commanding presence on the road.

Powered by a mild hybrid MHEV system, rather than an all-out electric vehicle, the motor is used to give the petrol engine a bit of a boost and extra torque.

The engine in question is a three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine which delivers either 123bhp or 153bhp - we had the higher rated engine with an on-theroad price of £22,735.

We drove the extra sporty ST-Line with its unique grille, large spoiler and snazzy interior. This incorporates a flatbottomed steering wheel, red stitching, aluminium pedals and gear stick.

It offers great acceleration but the 18in wheels and the sports suspension made the ride a little on the firm side though not so much as to be uncomfortable or annoying.

As with the majority of cars the Puma has a raft of gadgetry designed in the main with safety in mind. There are too many to mention here but here’s a taster of what to expect.

Ford’s signature heated windscreen is one of my favourites, clearing frost and condensation in double-quick time.

There’s also adaptive cruise control which will bring the vehicle to a complete halt in stop-start traffic, speed sign recognition, local hazard information to warn the driver of potentially dangerous situations in the road ahead before they become apparent. These can include road works; broken down vehicles; animals, pedestrians and objects in the carriageway, for example.

These functions are possible due, in part, to the 12 ultrasonic sensors, three radars and two cameras positioned around the car.

The boot is worth mentioning in a bit more detail than usual. It has a low-loading lip and as well as the 456 litres there’s also an 80-litre cubby hole under a cover. In place the cover acts as a space for hiding valuables and without it makes carrying tall objects a bit easier. The removal cover and drain plug make it easy to clean out if you carry home a dog from a muddy walk.

Seats are comfortable though rear legroom is a big constrained and on some models the seat covers are removable and washable which is a great idea

All models have wireless charging and two USB ports and the entertainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which all works through an 8in touchscreen.

In all, the Puma is a great little SUV and, based as it is on the Fiesta, is sure to do well for Ford - hopefully for many more years to come.