FASTER PUMA SPORTSWARE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_fordpumast_2021

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 82

Having made the standard version of its small Puma crossover pretty sporty to drive, Ford couldn't resist releasing this top ST version, complete with the livelier 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbo engine from the fiendish Fiesta ST hot hatch. In this case, what's delivered is a car the family driving enthusiast will find easier to justify than its supermini stablemate. Few small SUVs could keep it in sight on a twisty road. Here, we look at the earlier 2020-2024 pre-facelift versions of this model.

Modelsword count: 8

5dr SUV (Petrol - 1.0 EcoBoost, 1.5 EcoBoost)

Historyword count: 186

For Ford, 'ST' is an evocative badge - and one that enthusiasts have flocked to for decades with fast Fiesta and Focus hot hatches. But does it belong on an SUV? Well it belongs on this one. The Puma was always developed with this quick variant in mind and in its original ST form, the Ford Performance team did a really thorough job in further evolving what were already very impressive drive dynamics. It doesn't just go faster than the standard model either. You can get the power down more easily too, thanks to a whole range of handling and suspension changes. Sounds promising. Small SUVs haven't to date been very engaging to drive. But this one bucked the trend. An automatic ST model was launched in 2023 with a 170PS version of the three cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost mild hybrid unit. As part of the update, this auto 1.0-litre powertrain was standardised for the Puma ST as part of the 2024 Puma mid-term facelift. It's the earlier pre-facelift versions of this Puma ST that we look at here. Primarily those with the 1.5-litre four cylinder engine.

What You Getword count: 567

The Puma's sporty styling, with its sloping roof line silhouette and pronounced wheel arches, lends itself to the more extreme design of this ST variant. In this case, those arches shroud the eye-catching 19-inch Magnetite alloy wheels which feature evocative red calipers and are shod with grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. Rear privacy glass and a black-painted contrast-colour roof complete the profile signature and there's a bespoke finish for the door mirror caps. There's plenty of overtaking presence too. A Ford Performance-embossed splitter is integrated into the front bumper to increase front end downforce by almost 80% for greater stability and traction. Signature ST upper and lower grilles meanwhile, are designed to deliver increased engine cooling capability. The large rear roof spoiler also supports optimised aerodynamics, with a distinctive diffuser incorporated into the rear bumper, which incorporates a dual chrome exhaust. The Puma name gains black lettering and, as on the standard model, you get large split LED tail lamps and big lower corner reflectors. As you take a seat at the wheel, you're greeted by an 'ST- Ford Performance' start-up display on the centre monitor and an animated Puma on the instrument screen. You'll like the standard, well bolstered Recaro sports seats, which are heated, embossed with the ST logo and finished in partial leather and a grippy Miko Dinamica material. There's also a red starter button, an aluminium-faced gear knob with red ratio designations, 'Ford Performance' door entry scuff plates and silver alloy sports pedals. Plus you get white stitching on the wheel, the seats, the handbrake and the gearshift gaitor. The flat-bottomed ST sports steering wheel has a button from which you access the various drive modes and a 'Sport S' short cut switch for the 'Sport' setting that Ford thinks you'll be using quite regularly. In addition, this 12.3-inch instrument cluster screen has two added ST displays, one for 'Performance Gauges' (which shows oil temperature, oil pressure and turbo psi); and the other for 'Performance Details', which displays these things in real time as you drive. It all sets the right sort of tone for the driving experience to come. In the rear, it's fairly tight in terms of both leg and knee room - though you'd expect that in a supermini-based SUV. Otherwise though, a couple of six-footers would be comfortable enough, helped by the way they could slide their big size 10s under the seat in front. Unfortunately, Ford didn't think to provide USB charging points for them (even as an option). There are no grab handles above the rather small side windows and the headrests dig uncomfortably into your back until you raise them, but you get coat hooks on either side and a big overhead light. Out back, a handsfree powered tailgate was optional, but you don't really need it because the hatch is light to lift and opens to reveal something unusual: a decently-sized boot in a small Ford. This one has a 456-litre capacity - one of the largest in the segment. When you lift the tailgate, the parcel shelf rises out of the way with it, flat against the tailgate glass. Equally neat is the adjustable-height boot floor, beneath which lies this 68-litre recessed well - Ford enthusiastically called it a 'Megabox'- which allows you to carry tall items like electrical equipment upright. Push forward the 60:40-split rear backrest and a 1,216-litre space reveals itself.

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