Ford Puma

Ford Puma at a glance

The first Puma: Fiesta-based coupé (1997–2002)

The first Ford Puma was a small front-wheel-drive coupé built in Ford's Niehl plant in Cologne from June 1997 to July 2002. It used the Mark IV Fiesta underneath, with a new body, stiffer suspension and a wider track. Engines were 16-valve Zetec-SE units of 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7 litres; the 1.7 had variable valve timing. The launch advertising used footage of Steve McQueen from the film Bullitt.

The Ford Racing Puma was limited to 500 numbered cars, with a Tickford-tuned 1.7 that had about 22 kW (30 hp) more than the standard engine. About 133,000 Pumas were built in total. The coupé had no direct successor, and the name returned on the crossover 17 years later.

Crossover since 2019: design and engines

Ford announced the new Puma at its Go Further event in Amsterdam, alongside the third-generation Kuga, and production started in Craiova in October 2019. Sales in Europe began the same year. The body is 4,186 mm long and 1,537 mm tall, on a 2,588 mm wheelbase.

Most Pumas have the 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. In the mild hybrid version, a belt-driven 11.5 kW starter-generator and a 0.48 kWh, 48-volt battery support it. In its 114 kW (155 PS) form the engine delivers 240 Nm, and the starter-generator adds up to 50 Nm. A 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel was also offered.

Wikipedia lists outputs of 70, 88, 92, 114, 125 and 147 kW (95 to 200 PS) across the petrol and diesel range without assigning each to an engine. Only the clearly assigned figures appear in the table. All versions by year are in the Ford catalogue.

Puma ST

The Puma ST uses the 1.5-litre EcoBoost "Dragon" three-cylinder with 147 kW (200 PS). The Sunday Times measured it at 6.7 seconds from 0 to 62 mph. In 2021 What Car? named the ST 1.5 EcoBoost 200 Performance Pack its Sports SUV of the Year. In March 2023 Ford added the ST Powershift: it pairs the 1.0 mild hybrid, tuned to 125 kW (170 PS), with an automatic gearbox.

Facelift of 2024

The updated Puma appeared in February 2024. It has a revised grille, new headlights and slimmer bumpers. Inside there are better materials, a larger infotainment screen and improved connectivity. Ford also added new driver-assistance systems and revised the engines for better efficiency.

Puma Gen-E: the electric Puma

Ford presented the Puma Gen-E on 3 December 2024, and European deliveries began in spring 2025. It is built in Craiova alongside the petrol cars; its electric drive units come from Ford's plant in Halewood, England. The NMC battery from SK On holds 46.0 kWh gross and 43.6 kWh usable. The front motor delivers 123.5 kW (168 PS) and 290 Nm, enough for 0–100 km/h in 8.0 seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h.

The Gen-E has more luggage space than the petrol Puma: 574 against 456 litres. Autonotizen.de lists 52 kW (71 PS) as the continuous output, against 124 kW at peak.

Safety

Euro NCAP awarded the Puma five stars in 2019: 94 percent for adult occupants, 84 for children, 77 for pedestrians and 74 for the assistance systems. A retest in 2022 gave four stars, with 75 percent for adults, 84 for children, 70 for vulnerable road users and 69 for safety assistance.

Sales and awards

The Puma was the best-selling new car in the UK in 2023, 2024 and 2025, after eighth place in 2021 and fourth in 2022. In Europe Ford sold 159,704 in 2023 and 149,112 in 2024; in 2023 it ranked eighth among Europe's best-selling cars. What Car? named it Car of the Year in January 2020 and Small SUV of the Year in January 2021.

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