Ford Puma – What you need to know

SUVs outsold traditional passenger cars in Australia a few years ago and the most popular among them are mid-size SUVs, but there’s been plenty of new model action in the smallest category – light SUVs, which continue to be in hot demand.

The Ford Puma replaced the unloved EcoSport in the light SUV segment in 2020, but continues to be outsold by high-riding hatchbacks including the top-selling Mazda CX-3, Kia Stonic, Toyota Yaris Cross, Hyundai Venue, Volkswagen T-Cross and Suzuki Ignis.

But there’s plenty to like about the 2022 Ford Puma line-up, which comprises three variants including the entry-level Puma ($30,490 plus on-road costs), mid-range ST-Line ($32,690) and flagship ST-Line V ($35,890).

All three Puma variants are front-wheel drive and powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine matched as standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

So let’s dive into the features menu of each Puma to see which one sizzles the most for you.

Even the entry-level 2022 Ford Puma comes well equipped as standard, offering the following features:

The 2022 Ford Puma is available with palette of 11 paint colours, six of which attract a $650 price premium and four of which cost $1150 including a black roof.

A powered tailgate is available on the Puma and ST-Line for $750 and a sunroof will set you back $2000 on all models.

A ‘park package’ including adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, active park assist (self-parking), front parking sensors and blind spot detection is available on every model for $990.

All 2022 Ford Puma variants come with driver assist tech in the form of low- and high-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, forward collision alert, emergency brake and hazard light display, lane keep assist and lane departure warning.

Also standard is traffic sign recognition, driver fatigue and attention monitor, rear parking sensors, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring and a 180-degree colour, split-view reversing camera display, plus hill launch-and-hold.

Naturally, anti-lock brakes and traction/stability control are also standard, as are six airbags, and every Puma also comes with rain-sensing auto wipers, dusk-sensing auto headlights and auto high-beam.

The Ford Puma has a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

An 8.0-inch colour touch-screen features in all models and offers both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, Bluetooth music and phone streaming, and AM/FM/DAB+ radio.

Wireless smartphone charging is included, as is an embedded modem FordPass phone app connectivity, while the SYNC 3 operating system includes voice activation for Siri or Google Assistant, plus satellite-navigation. Two USB ports and a 12V power outlet are standard across the range too.

The base Puma and ST-Line come with seven speakers, while the ST-Line V gets a 10-speaker premium B&O system with subwoofer.

The 2022 Ford Puma range comes standard with ambient lighting, an anti-glare rear-view mirror, dual-zone air-conditioning and illuminated vanity mirrors on the sun visors.

Are selectable drive modes a must have? Relax, because whichever model you go for it will have five drive modes – normal, sport, eco, slippery and trail.

Are you keen on a sportier feel and look? The ST-Line could be for you with its sports-tuned suspension, lower ride height, large rear spoiler, machine-finished 17-inch alloy wheels and body-colour wheel-arches.

Inside, there are sports pedals, red stitching for the cloth trim, a flat-bottom sports steering wheel with artificial leather trim and paddle shifts, plus a 12.3-inch instrument cluster that changes when you select each drive mode.

Is a sunroof a deal-maker? Throw an extra two grand on the table and it’s yours, regardless of which model you go for.

How about a powered tailgate? It’s standard on the ST-Line V and a $750 option on the Puma and ST-Line.

Are you after leather seat trim? Zoom past the Puma and ST-Line and their cloth trim and head for the ST-Line V and its artificial leather seat upholstery with grey stitching, giving the cabin a luxury look. The leather treatment extends to the door trims, dash top, gearshift and handbrake surrounds.

What about just a leather steering wheel? The good news is all variants come with artificial leather on the steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake surrounds.

Puddle lamps are handy in illuminating where you’re about to plonk your foot and all Pumas have them, housed in the heated and folding door mirrors.

Every Puma caters for young families with two ISOFIX points and three upper child anchorage points.

If the convenience of an auto-dimming mirror is of interest, then bypass the entry Puma and head to the ST-Line.

LED projector headlights feature on the Puma and ST-Line and all variants have LED tail-lights and day-time running lights, along with adaptive cornering LED fog lights. But only the ST-Line V has full-LED headlights.

Privacy glass keeps prying eyes at bay, but to have it you’ll need to stump up for an
ST-Line V.

Distinguishing the entry Puma are its black window surrounds, metallic grey rear diffuser, pearl grey 17-inch alloy wheels and a touch of chrome on the black grille.

Setting the ST-Line apart from its siblings are a large rear spoiler, body-colour wheel-arches and black 17-inch alloy wheels. And the ST-Line has an exclusive front bumper with bigger fog light surrounds, plus a chromed exhaust outlet at the other end.

What sets the ST-Line V apart are its 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, ST-Line V logo door scuff plates, and chrome on the grille, fog light housings and window surrounds.

One driveline propels all Ford Puma models – a 1.0-litre tyrbo-petrol three-cylinder that delivers 92kW of power and 170Nm of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard and all Pumas are front-wheel drive.

The 2022 Ford Puma is quite sporty to drive and while the entry model is reasonably well equipped, a step up to the ST-Line snares you a lot more kit. If you can stretch your dollars that far, it’s worthwhile.

Handy tech like app compatibility with Waze and Spotifiy runs right across the range.

For me the top-spec ST-Line V is the pick of the crop with its comprehensive spec level, premium look and feel inside and out. There are also surprise and delights, like the massaging front seats.

Despite its compact dimensions (4207mm long, 1805mm wide and 1548mm high), both occupant and cargo space is relatively generous, the latter measuring a sizeable 410 litres, extending to 1170L with the rear seatbacks down. And a 750kg braked towing capacity could sway some.

And don’t be fooled into thinking the tiny turbo-triple engine lacks grunt. A recent interstate trip proved the Puma to be quick, quiet and economical.

How much does the 2022 Ford Puma cost?
Puma – $30,340
ST-Line – $32,690
ST-Line V – $35,890

*Prices exclude on-road costs