• Cabin layout is much like the Fiesta’s
• Dashboard available with two large screens
• ST-Line models get sporty seats and trim

How is the quality and layout?

The Ford Puma shares much of its interior with the Fiesta, featuring the same uncluttered dashboard and a decidedly mainstream collection of hard plastic switchgear. Premium it is not. It is well-made, though – we ran a Puma long-termer for three months and it didn’t develop any squeaks or rattles during that time. It’s just lacking the polish you’ll find in a Peugeot 2008 or Skoda Kamiq.

Go for an ST-Line model and you get loads of sporty extras. Upgrades include a flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching, alloy pedals, an aluminium gear shifter and black headlining. ST-Line X Vignale models advance this further with additional leather on the steering wheel, a slightly nicer finish on the dashboard and upgraded leather seats with additional padding.

Infotainment and tech

The Puma features an 8.0-inch infotainment system running on Ford Sync 3 software. This isn’t the latest technology the company has to offer – the Focus was recently upgraded to a larger screen and Ford’s Sync 4 software – so it looks a little dated in comparison. Still, the screen is bright and easy to read, while the interface is only based around five main pages. That means it’s easy to navigate.

Ford’s built in sat-nav system is very good in particular. It’s intuitive to use when entering a destination and easy to cancel a route while on the move. However, if you don’t like the setup, the Puma comes as standard with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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Wireless charging is available as an optional extra, along with massaging seats and 12.3-inch digital dials, all of which lend the Puma a more technologically advanced and luxurious feel than the Fiesta. Also available as an option is a B&O sound system with plenty of power across its 10-speaker range and a commendable amount of bass thanks to a well-hidden subwoofer in the boot.

Comfort

• Entry-level car has comfortable seats
• ST-Line chairs are firmer and more snug
• Panoramic sunroof limits headroom

The Puma is a comfortable car. Its driving position is very good, which means it takes longer for fatigue to set in while cruising down the motorway. There’s loads of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel and the seat can be almost lowered to the floor, meaning taller drivers won’t brush their heads against the roof on undulating back roads.

We only have one complaint with the standard Puma’s driving position. The standard car’s seat base doesn’t tilt and it’s slightly too short to provide decent under-thigh support for taller drivers. You can get around that by opting for the ST-Line model, though, as that comes with extendable seat squabs.

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The ST-Line seats have slightly heavier bolsters, too, which means you won’t be thrown out of them when corning enthusiastically. If you have a taste for the finer things in life, you can even specify your Puma with massaging seats by splashing the cash on Ford’s Vignale option pack.

You can also specify the Puma with a panoramic sunroof, which allows loads of light to flood into the cabin. If you’re tall, though, make sure you test drive a car with the panoramic roof equipped before handing over your money, because it brings the ceiling height down to scalp-scraping altitude.