New Ford Puma deal sweetened
Blue Oval sets drive-away pricing for upcoming baby SUV and throws in extra discountsFord Australia has announced drive-away pricing from $31,990 for the 2021 Ford Puma, and it promises to further sweeten the deal for its all-new compact SUV with discounts of up to $1000 for customers who test-drive one in person at a dealership.
The move is clearly an attempt to entice consumers back into Ford showrooms as coronavirus restrictions gradually ease across Australia, with $500 shaved from the price for those who carry out a physical test-drive and purchase the soon-to-be-launched Puma in September or October.
Another $500 will be taken off as a ‘loyalty bonus’ for existing Ford owners over the same period, as cars begin arriving at dealerships later this month.
The sweetener also addresses the fact the Blue Oval’s new Euro-bred baby SUV is much more expensive than key rivals and the model it replaces, the unloved Ford EcoSport, which starts from $22,790 plus on-road costs.
The $31,990 drive-away pricing for the entry-level Puma FWD is $2000 higher than the recommended retail price of $29,990 announced in March.
The step up is slightly smaller for the mid-tier Ford Puma ST-Line, which is set at $33,990 drive-away – $1650 more than the $32,340 RRP.
The flagship ST-Line V carries a $36,990 drive-away sticker price, marking a $1450 increase over the list price of $35,540 plus ORCs.
No matter how you look at it, these $30,000-plus markers all underline the fact that the Puma is a relatively pricey proposition in the popular light SUV segment, which is dominated by the Mazda CX-3 (from $22,710 plus ORCs).
The Ford Puma relies on a small 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (92kW/170Nm) that combines with a seven-speed DCT automatic transmission and delivers fuel economy as low as 5.3L/100km.
As carsales has reported, a hotter ST version will be unveiled globally on September 24, brandishing a 1.5-litre turbo-triple good for about 150kW but mated only to a six-speed manual gearbox.
The lack of an automatic for the Puma ST is likely to be a key reason the Ford Performance-fettled Puma has been ruled out for Australia.
Key selling points for the mainstream Puma range include its European origins and high level of standard equipment, such as an 8.0-inch SYNC 3 touch-screen infotainment system with navigation, digital radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless phone charging and split-view reversing camera.
Every Ford Puma will also get Ford’s Driver Assistance Technology suite including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, driver impairment monitor, tyre pressure monitoring and cruise control.
For would-be buyers who can’t make it into a Ford dealership – or, in the case of Victorians, those who might still be prevented from getting there due to COVID-19 restrictions – Ford Australia is preparing to offer a virtual ‘Desk Drive’ program for Puma through its official Facebook page.
Scheduled to start late in September, the Desk Drives will be Facebook Live events designed to enable viewers to experience a ‘walkaround’ that highlights the Puma’s styling, practical elements and headline features.
How much does the 2020 Ford Puma cost?
Puma – $29,990 ($31,990 drive-away)
Puma ST-Line – $32,340 ($33,990 drive-away)
Puma ST-Line V – $35,540 ($36,990 drive-away)
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
