Should you buy one?

When the Ford Puma was first launched, we would have urged you to rush out and buy on immediately if you were shopping for a small SUV. But the changes Ford has made for this facelift have put us off.

Overall, it’s still a good example of the breed. It can appeal to both your head and your heart by offering a choice of frugal yet punchy petrol engines, engaging handling dynamics, decent ride comfort and plenty of boot space. But there are now more spacious and more refined options on the market, not to mention those with better cabins.

That being said, The Puma is very low maintenance – those cheap plastics mean you can muck the interior out with little more than a damp cloth and a vacuum cleaner. That leaves you with more spare time to enjoy the way the Puma drives.

The Puma’s biggest problem is the Skoda Kamiq. It gives the Ford a good run for its money by offering more cabin space, better comfort levels and similarly impressive fuel economy. Plus, the Kamiq’s driving experience isn’t that far behind the Puma’s. It’s a little less engaging, but it puts on a great show nonetheless.

What we like

It’s great to drive. We reckon it still has the sharpest chassis in the segment and its engines are eager and powerful. The Puma’s practical boot is a real highlight, too. It takes the car from being just a good-driving compact SUV to a vehicle with the chops to operate as a small family’s main car.

What we don’t like

The Puma’s dashboard lets the side down a bit. It’s a little bland and unimaginative compared to the likes of the Peugeot 2008 and MINI Countryman. We also miss the old car’s physical cabin controls and we loathe Ford’s new enormous square steering wheel. The ST model’s drop in performance is disappointing, too.

152