Name: Ford Puma ST (2020 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Ford Puma ST
Rating: 77

Summary

The Ford Puma ST arrived in 2020, a year after the mainstream version of Ford’s new small SUV and added potency to go with the coupe-like looks of the model – Ford describes the ST as the brand’s “first performance SUV in Europe.”

ST models are intended to be powerful and fun to drive – the Puma is based on the chassis of the Fiesta, and so the ST gets the Fiesta ST’s turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine of 200hp, producing a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds. Other ST DNA includes tuning the suspension for better handling and adding sporty visuals inside and out.

Generally testers like the concept, but with reservations. Autocar describes the Puma ST as “a more vigorous, highly-strung driver’s car than the concept crossover segment probably needs,” but adds that the car is a valid member of Ford’s ST club alongside better-known models such as the Fiesta and Focus.

Auto Express reckons Ford has created “the best handling compact SUV on the market,” and adds that for its capability the Puma ST is “a bit of a bargain.”

The engine earns praise for enough power to be fun alongside daily-use practicality. Eurekar describes the performance as “very impressive, pulling strongly and with a respectable getaway and pulling power for overtaking.”

Minus marks for the Puma ST include its wheels, which are 19-inch only and according to some reviews a size too big for the car. Testers add that the steering is too sharp and fast-reacting, which makes for nervous cornering.

Taking a seat inside, some find the narrow sports seats restrictive, the Sunday Times adding that the interior “doesn’t feel very premium – the door inserts are cheap, hard plastic and some of the buttons a bit cheap and tacky.”

As of January 2023, the Ford Puma ST holds an Expert Rating of 77% based on 22 different reviews, which is one point better than the regular Puma range.

Puma ST highlights

Excellent handling
Quality engine
Fun rather than outrageously powerful
Practical enough to be a daily driver

Puma ST lowlights

Overly sharp steering can mean twitchy cornering
Mandatory 19-inch wheels are too big
Rear cabin is cosy for adults
Narrow sports seats don’t suit everyone

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £28,800 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre 3cyl turbocharged petrol
Score: 9 / 10
“In the Puma ST, Ford has created the best-handling compact SUV on the market – and by some margin. True, it’s more expensive than the Fiesta ST with which the Puma ST shares so much – and not quite as thrilling to drive – but if this is the sort of car you want, it’s the best of its type.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
“Ford decided to give its already sporty little Puma crossover the full ST treatment, based on the engine and other bits from the brilliant Fiesta ST. In the process we think it might just have reinvented the hot hatch as we know it.”
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“The Ford Puma is one of the best crossovers on the market, so the Puma ST performance edition looked incredibly promising. But changes made in the pursuit of speed have been aggressive, so it’ll be down to your driving style as to whether they suit you.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre 3cyl turbocharged petrol Performance Pack Mountune 260
Score: 8 / 10
“We’re still not sure where the Puma fits into the fast Ford framework (the Fiesta ST is cheaper and more entertaining, the Focus ST more usable and barely costs any more), but there’s no doubt it’s a quicker and more appealing car with Mountune’s modifications.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre 3cyl turbocharged petrol
Score: 8 / 10
“Well judged, versatile and fun; the jacked-up hot hatch done well.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST is a more vigorous, highly-strung driver’s car than the compact crossover segment needs, probably – but a proper ST and a likeable one despite its dynamic challenges.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: Performance Pack
Score: 8 / 10
“As a package, the Puma ST shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it demonstrates the talent of Ford’s engineers as this car must be the most fun to drive small crossover on-sale right now.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual
Score: 10 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST feels just as pliable and adjustable as the Fiesta ST supermini on which it’s based; from the seating position – which simply feels a little higher than the Fiesta’s – to the powertrain, which actually improves on the superminis. The result is an unlikely all-rounder.”
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Car Keys+

Score: 10 / 10
“Combine one of the most fun hot hatches with one of the best-driving crossovers and the result is brilliant. The Ford Puma ST is unquestionably one of the best cars of its type to drive, offering just that bit more practicality than the Fiesta ST with its larger boot and more generous rear-seat space.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST is great to drive, has a brilliant engine and offers all the practicality of an SUV with hot hatch thrills.”
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Daily Mirror+

Score: 8 / 10
“Those already in the crossover camp who want a family car with more sparkle will undoubtedly love the Puma.”
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Eurekar+

Model reviewed: ST-Line X Vignale
“What really makes this car such a winner is it’s driving experience and fun nature – starting with its smart design.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“It’s not quite in the same league as the Kuga and that is arguably its toughest rival, but it delivers more of what I think a driver wants in terms of style and image. And it has that captivating ST badge.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A slightly more grown up and practical take on the excellent Fiesta ST that we can’t help but wish was less crossover and more coupe.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Puma’s sporty styling – including a sloping roofline silhouette and pronounced wheel arches – lends itself to a more extreme Puma ST design that combines form and function.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The whole car feels just as pliable and adjustable as the supermini on which its based; from the seating position which simply feels a little higher than the Fiesta’s – to the powertrain, which actually improves on the superminis.”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“It’s loads of fun. Just brilliant fun – and it’s even practical.”
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Model reviewed:
“It’s a lot of fun to drive in a hurry, extremely well engineered and worthy of the ST badge. If just a little pricey.”
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The Sunday Times+

Score: 6 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST is fun but flawed.”
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The Telegraph+

Score: 8 / 10
“A combination of a high-performance drivetrain and a modish supermini SUV looks a winner on paper, but in practice the Ford Puma ST pricey and too harsh.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The right badge on the wrong car? Perhaps not. It’s a cracker to drive.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Not only is the Ford Puma ST one of the most exciting SUVs we’ve ever driven, it’s also immensely practical, comes packed with equipment and undercuts all of its main rivals on price.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 77%
Safety assist: 74%

The Ford Puma ST shares its Euro NCAP result with the rest of the Puma range, which was tested when it launched in 2019. The car gained a top five-star rating, testers noting the full marks scored in the more challenging side-barrier and side-pole tests, and the effectiveness of the standard-fit autonomous emergency braking.

Eco rating

No eco rating

As of January 2023, the Ford Puma ST has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Security rating

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Pass

Date: 2019

The Ford Puma (which includes the ST version) performed well in Thatcham’s testing programme to measure anti-theft protection.

A Superior rating is the highest score, and the Puma also passed the new relay attack test, which measures the security of a car’s keyless entry and/or keyless start system. This means that the Puma is resistant to thieves intercepting the car’s keyless signal and using it to steal the car.

Reliability rating

As of January 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Ford Puma ST to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusive from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the Puma ST, we’ll publish the score here.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Ford Puma ST has received

2023

What Car? Awards – Best Sports SUV

2022

What Car? Awards – Best Sports SUV

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Ford Puma ST, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi SQ2 | Ford Fiesta ST | Hyundai Kona N | Mini Countryman JCW | Volkswagen T-Roc R

Performance compact SUVs are not exactly plentiful, but if you desire one there are some alternatives to the Puma ST, though generally they are 4x4s and so cost more money, while according to reviewers offering arguably less fun.

Alternatively, within the Ford family you could always look at the Fiesta ST, since it shares most of its underpinnings withe the higher-riding Puma.