Ford Puma | Review | Why is it the UK’s most popular car?

In 2024, the Ford Puma was the UK’s most popular car. Blending sporty aesthetics, a well-known name and a decent driving experience, it’s easy to see why it’s a hit. But this is a seriously competitive segment of the market.

Despite its widespread acclaim, should you still consider leasing on in 2025? We take one for a spin to find out just why the Puma crossover is such a popular choice.

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Styling

Externally, the Puma is an appealing proposition. It looks sportier than many similarly sized rivals. Up front there’s a sleek pair of headlights and a distinctive grille. By nature this is a larger, higher car than the old Fiesta, but you can still tell that it owes a lot to the supermini in the styling stakes.

The Puma was also thoroughly facelifted in 2024 and, while that primarily focused on the interior, the outside got some subtle refinements too.

The bumpers were revised, there’s now a more pronounced grille design, while a host of attractive colour options were added to help the car stand out further.

We think it’s one of the best-looking small crossovers about, and certainly a sleeker option than rivals like the Volkswagen T-Cross and Seat Arona. Plump for an ST-Line model and you get a range of nice touches too – a rear spoiler and 18in alloy wheels really help add to that sporty appeal.

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Interior and tech

The recent update ushered in a completely redesigned dashboard, focused around a large 12in portrait infotainment system. It uses Ford’s latest SYNC operating system and is generally a decent set-up.

Some functions can be fiddly to use, although there’s a row of permanent short keys at the bottom of the screen that helps – especially when it comes to functions like the climate control. On top of the 12in touchscreen, the driver gets a similarly large 10in digital display. It’s clear and functional, although some rivals offer better graphics.

The steering wheel is another interesting point – it’s essentially square. Certainly an interesting design, but some might find it a little larger than is strictly necessary. As for trim, the new model is certainly an improvement over the pre-facelift Puma, although the quality of certain plastics still isn’t quite up to its rivals.

Up front, passenger space is impressive, and it’s not bad in the back either. This is predominantly marketed as a small, family car and, while two adults will fit comfortably in the back, it’s better suited to kids.

It’s in the boot where things get better though: with 456 litres of luggage capacity it offers one of the most practical boots in its class. Underneath the floor, you’ll also find what Ford call a “Megabox”. This is essentially another storage space, offering a further 80 litres of room. It really helps to carry taller items and even has a plug so you can rinse it out after a trip to the garden centre too.

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Engines and driving

You can choose between a pair of petrol engines on the standard Puma – both being 1.0-litre units. They produce 125hp or 155hp, ensuring even the least powerful option offers plenty of performance. Technically, both offer hybrid technology. But in the Puma this refers to mild-hybrid tech that adds a small battery pack. It means the car can start and stop its engine less often around town, while also providing an extra bit of power when accelerating too.

Economy-wise, both engines should offer in excess of 50mpg.Over a range of mixed driving conditions we averaged around 45mpg in a week, so not a million miles away from official figures.

Where the Puma has its rivals trumped is in the driving department. It’s a really enjoyable thing to drive on twisty roads, although some will argue that the ride quality is a little bit harsh; that’s the pay off for its sharp steering.

Our test model was an ST-Line, which features sportier dampers than Titanium models. If ride quality is a priority, you’d be better off steering clear of the ST-Line trimmed cars. The manual option is also a better drive – we sampled the six-speed automatic. It was fantastic on the motorway, but around town felt a little jerky.

Should you lease a Ford Puma?

If you’re after a compact crossover that manages to be both fun and functional, the Puma should absolutely be on your shortlist. It’s got the looks, it’s got the practicality, and it still retains a sense of driving enjoyment that many rivals lack. The 2024 update has also brought the tech offering up to scratch, with a slick new dashboard and useful infotainment upgrades.

There are a few niggles – the ride can be a little firm, particularly on ST-Line models, and some interior materials don’t quite match the plushness of certain competitors. But these are small trade-offs in what is otherwise a well-rounded, stylish small SUV.

With competitive lease rates and excellent fuel economy, the Ford Puma remains a compelling choice in 2025. Whether you're downsizing from a larger SUV or upgrading from a hatchback, the Puma hits that sweet spot – offering just enough space, style and substance to make it a worthy option for a wide range of drivers.

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