Drive with us: Ford Puma ST-Line Review

Join us as we get behind the wheel of the Ford Puma ST-Line, the small SUV that makes stepping up from a hatchback feel less intimidating

The Ford Puma is a compact SUV built on the same underpinnings as the beloved Fiesta.

It makes the step up to an SUV feel a lot less daunting, without giving up the practicality you need.

And if you're longing for that Fiesta feel again, getting behind the wheel of something built on the same platform is a great place to start.

Powered by a 1.0-litre EcoBoost mild hybrid engine, it's economical and produces fewer emissions, all without any plugging in required.

The ST-Line trim brings sportier styling and tech at a realistic price point — aspirational, but without the stretch.

We drove the pre-facelift model, but we'll also walk you through the improvements the 2024 facelift brings.

What we drove

Model: 1.0I MHEV ST-LINE E/BOOST (125PS)

Transmission: Manual

Power: Petrol/Electric Hybrid 

Colour: Grey Matter

Wheels: 17" 5x2-spoke Alloy Wheels

OTR from: £22,295

Price of model driven: £23,245

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

A small SUV that dares to look different

The front end gives bug-eye vibes, but it adds real character in a class where a lot of rivals blend into one another.

The Puma sits lower than most SUVs, closer to hatchback proportions in places.

That's exactly what makes it such a great step for someone moving from hatchback to SUV who doesn't want an intimidating behemoth.

It shares its platform with the Fiesta, but wears an entirely different design language. The ST-Line gives it that aspirational look, without the premium-badge price tag.

The 2024 facelift brings new headlights, a restyled grille and new wheel designs. It also grows slightly — 146mm longer and 71mm wider — not a massive difference, but it helps all the same.

Familiar Ford, smartened up

Step inside and the Puma feels typically Ford. The dashboard layout is familiar; it doesn't feel overly premium, but it doesn't feel cheap either.

The eight-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen is functional, if a little dated.

The digital instrument cluster on ST-Line looks crisp and offers useful customisation. Physical dials for climate control are a welcome, no-fuss touch.

The 2024 facelift resolves this. It brings a bigger 12-inch touchscreen running the newer SYNC4 software, a 12.8-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging and FordConnect Wi-Fi as standard — you're getting a lot more for your money.

Rear headroom is tight for taller passengers over six feet, but comfortable for most day-to-day use.

Boot space comes in at 456 litres, plus the Ford MegaBox, a drainable underfloor storage box that's genuinely useful for muddy boots or wet kit.

The red stitching and ambient lighting that come with the ST-Line add to the sporty feel throughout the cabin.

Small SUV, properly composed

Put your foot down and the mild hybrid system smooths power delivery while boosting efficiency, rather than chasing outright pace.

Handling is composed and confident in all conditions. It's even more settled than key rivals such as the Juke. Sport-tuned suspension on ST-Line adds a firmer, more responsive edge without becoming uncomfortable.

Multiple drive modes (Normal, Eco, Sport, Trail, Slippery) mean it adapts to whatever the day throws at it.

Official combined economy sits around 49.6mpg, with real-world long-term testing averaging in the low-to-mid 40s.

It's a genuinely affordable car to live with day to day.

What's good, and what's not

The good bits:

• Distinctive, characterful exterior design
• Genuinely composed, confident handling
• Practical MegaBox underfloor storage
• Decent 456-litre boot

The not-so-good bits:

• Touchscreen graphics feel a little dated
• Rear headroom tight for taller adults
• Not the most powerful in its class
• Not spacious enough for larger families

What's the verdict?

The Ford Puma ST-Line backs up its distinctive looks with genuinely composed, confident handling, and that combination is exactly why it's held onto its reputation in a packed class.

It's not trying to be the biggest or the most powerful small SUV on the market, and it doesn't need to be.

What it offers instead is character, a properly sorted chassis, and a driving experience that's hard to fault at this price point.

The MegaBox is a small but clever touch that suits anyone juggling an active, on-the-go lifestyle, and the mild hybrid engine keeps everyday running costs sensible without asking you to plug in.

It's also worth remembering that the car available to lease today is the facelifted version, and that's a genuinely stronger proposition than the one we drove.

The bigger touchscreen, digital cluster and added connectivity bring the cabin up to date in a way the pre-facelift car needed.

For anyone stepping up from a hatchback and wanting a small SUV that still feels easy to live with, the Puma ST-Line makes a strong case for itself.

Top five reasons to consider the Ford Puma:

1. Distinctive design that stands out in a crowded class
2. Composed, confident handling that's genuinely rewarding
3. Clever MegaBox storage adds everyday practicality
4. Efficient mild hybrid engine keeps running costs sensible
5. Five-star Euro NCAP rating for genuine peace of mind

Would we recommend leasing a Ford Puma?

Yes — especially if you're after your first SUV and want something that still feels manageable day to day.

The Puma ST-Line suits drivers stepping up from a hatchback who want a bit more presence on the road, without the intimidation factor of a much bigger SUV. The mild hybrid engine keeps running costs sensible, and the MegaBox adds a genuinely useful bit of everyday practicality most rivals can't match.

If you're leasing the current model, you're also getting the benefit of the 2024 facelift, which brings a bigger touchscreen, a sharper digital instrument cluster, and added connectivity we didn't have on the car we drove.

It's not the most powerful or the roomiest small SUV out there, but for the right driver — someone who wants character, composure, and a sensible monthly cost — the Puma ST-Line ticks the right boxes.