Why the Ford Puma Keeps Outselling Everything Else

Top Gear

Top Gear rated it well ahead of rivals like the Nissan Juke and VW T-Cross, crediting it with bringing genuine driver appeal to a class of cars that's traditionally been dull to drive. Their testers were fans of the practical underfloor storage box, which drains through a plughole and makes it the most usable boot in its class, and found the interior nicely finished despite the loss of physical climate controls after the recent facelift. Their one lingering complaint: the previous punchy ST hot-hatch version has been softened into a milder automatic-only performance trim, losing some of its edge in the process.

What Car?

What Car? measured real-world acceleration against direct rivals and found it consistently quicker off the line than the Juke, Renault Captur and Skoda Kamiq. They praised the driving position and adjustable seating, noting it suits a wide range of body shapes comfortably. Their main criticism centred on rear-seat space — shorter than some competitors offer for taller passengers — along with visibility out of the back, which suffers from thick rear pillars and a high window line.

🎬 Watch: Ford Puma Hybrid review (same video, watch above ↗)

Autocar

Autocar's road test focused heavily on the chassis, calling it the dynamic benchmark for the small-SUV class since it first arrived, built on the same well-regarded platform as the outgoing Fiesta. They liked the mild-hybrid system's ability to mask turbo lag and improve real-world response, and found the ride firm without becoming uncomfortable. Where they were more critical was the automatic gearbox, which they found notably less polished than the rest of the car — hesitant in some situations where a simpler, more responsive unit would suit the car's playful character better.

🎬 Watch: Ford Puma Hybrid review (same video, watch above ↗)