Used Ford Puma ST 2020-present review

Meet George and Georgia, two used car buyers eyeing the Ford Puma ST. George enjoys performance in his SUVs, but prefers it delivered in an effortless, grown-up, comfy manner – he should look elsewhere. Georgia prioritises driver engagement and playful handling. She wants an effervescent sports SUV and that's exactly what the Puma ST is.

It shares many parts with the 2018-2023 Ford Fiesta ST and, if you've encountered that class-leading hot hatch before, you'll have a sense of what we're dealing with. Sure, the Puma ST isn't quite as nimble – after all, it's larger and around 100kg heavier – but it gets surprisingly close.

Under the bonnet is essentially the same 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine as you'll find inside the Fiesta ST, putting out 197bhp and allowing for 0-60mph in 6.7sec. Being a three-cylinder, it can feel coarse below 2000rpm, but other from that, it's thoroughly strong and lively: you have great shove available at a motorway cruise, yet it still pulls keenly nearer the redline.

The engine plays a suitably butch tune, often including exhaust pops and crackles as you let off the accelerator and change gear. The six-speed manual gearbox super sweet to use, offering short, sharp, satisfying shifts, even if the gear lever itself is positioned too far down and back to suit most people's driving positions.

There's a touch of rubber regarding its feel, but the steering is quick and precise. That, aided by the Performance Pack's grip-enhancing limited-slip differential (LSD), gives the Puma ST an incredibly darty front end. With the Performance Pack, you also get sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and launch control – the vast majority of used Puma ST's have this pack fitted.

The car's rear isn't glued to the ground, although that's no bad thing. A simple lift of you right foot during a bend can easily make the back end swing around (in a controlled fashion), adding another satisfying layer to its driving experience.

Comfort isn't stellar, as you might expect. The ride is firm and busy, especially at town speeds. Some people might find it too jiggly, but we believe most people – those aware of what they're getting into – will find it bearable. In fact, there are stiffer sports SUVs out there, the Hyundai Kona N to name one.

The small SUV body style tends to grant its driver a higher seating position than your average small hatchback – the Puma ST is no different. This grants you improved visibility, although it's then hindered in this case by thick front and rear pillars. Thankfully, all models have auto LED headlights, auto wipers and front and rear parking sensors, with a rear camera being part of the driver assistance pack when new.

Key touch points inside the Puma ST, such as the steering wheel and gear lever, are wrapped in soft leather, plus the seats are finished in a grippy suede-like material. Given the price point, the interior doesn't feel far from premium.

The front seats are quite a bit beefier than the standard Ford Puma ones, but there's still plenty of space to stretch out in the back, unlike in the Kona N. That said, if you’re going to be carrying tall passengers regularly, you might want to consider the VW T-Roc R – it has a touch more head room in the back.

The ST, like all Pumas, can accommodate six carry-on suitcases in the main boot compartment and two under the boot floor. That's thanks to the fantastic Ford MegaBox system – an 80-litre storage area that has a plug hole in the bottom so it can be easily hosed down.

We should mention that, as of writing, a new version of the Puma ST has just been launched. Dubbed the 'Powershift', it bridges the gap between the everyday ST-Line trim and the focal point of this review, the 1.5-litre ST.

The Powershift has a 168bhp 1.0-litre unit – with mild-hybrid assistance – and a seven-speed auto gearbox, weakening the 0-62mph time from 6.7sec to 7.4sec. From behind the wheel, the ST Powershift isn't as much of a giggle as the fully fledged Puma ST.

If you're interested in finding a used Ford Puma ST or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Around £19,000 is your starting point. Expect a 2021 model with less than 40,000 miles on it. Cars from 2022 and 2023 go for just a few grand more. Still a healthy saving on the price of a new ST, though.

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MPG

Officially, the Puma ST averages 42.8mpg – very respectable, considering its performance.

Road tax

You'll pay £180 per year in road tax and that's the same for all petrol and diesel cars registered after April 2017.

Insurance and servicing

The Puma ST belongs to insurance group 22 (out of 50), which is extremely reasonable for this kind of vehicle. For instance, the Fiesta ST belongs to a higher insurance group.

Unlike previous products – that came in ST-1, ST-2 and (top-spec) ST-3 trims – there's just 'ST' in the Puma ST's case. It's well equipped, mind you, so there's no cause for concern.

There is a special 'Gold Edition' that Ford produced 999 examples of. It's simply a cosmetic package, though, and there are currently only a handful of used examples for sale. As such, we can't cite it as our go-to choice. We'd recommend sticking with the regular Puma ST – and double check it has the Performance Pack.

As of writing, the Puma ST Powershift is only just emerging onto the used market.

Our favourite Ford Puma ST: 1.5T EcoBoost

The Hyundai Kona N is a similar proposition to the Puma ST, being a sports SUV that's also taken many components from a hot hatch. It's quicker, thanks to 276bhp and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, but it doesn't handle with the same playfulness as the Puma ST.

If you're looking for a more spacious alternative, again, the VW T-Roc R is worth a look, although it also isn't as fun and engaging to drive as the Puma ST.

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If you're interested in finding a used Ford Puma ST or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.