2023 (23) Ford Puma 1.5 EcoBoost ST 5dr

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

Having made the standard version of its small Puma crossover pretty sporty to drive, Ford couldn't resist releasing this top ST version, complete with the livelier 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbo engine from the fiendish Fiesta ST hot hatch. In this case, what's delivered is a car the family driving enthusiast will find easier to justify than its supermini stablemate. Few small SUVs could keep it in sight on a twisty road. Here, we look at the earlier 2020-2024 pre-facelift versions of this model.

History

For Ford, 'ST' is an evocative badge - and one that enthusiasts have flocked to for decades with fast Fiesta and Focus hot hatches. But does it belong on an SUV? Well it belongs on this one. The Puma was always developed with this quick variant in mind and in its original ST form, the Ford Performance team did a really thorough job in further evolving what were already very impressive drive dynamics. It doesn't just go faster than the standard model either. You can get the power down more easily too, thanks to a whole range of handling and suspension changes. Sounds promising. Small SUVs haven't to date been very engaging to drive. But this one bucked the trend. An automatic ST model was launched in 2023 with a 170PS version of the three cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost mild hybrid unit. As part of the update, this auto 1.0-litre powertrain was standardised for the Puma ST as part of the 2024 Puma mid-term facelift. It's the earlier pre-facelift versions of this Puma ST that we look at here. Primarily those with the 1.5-litre four cylinder engine.

What You Get

The Puma's sporty styling, with its sloping roof line silhouette and pronounced wheel arches, lends itself to the more extreme design of this ST variant. In this case, those arches shroud the eye-catching 19-inch Magnetite alloy wheels which feature evocative red calipers and are shod with grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. Rear privacy glass and a black-painted contrast-colour roof complete the profile signature and there's a bespoke finish for the door mirror caps. There's plenty of overtaking presence too. A Ford Performance-embossed splitter is integrated into the front bumper to increase front end downforce by almost 80% for greater stability and traction. Signature ST upper and lower grilles meanwhile, are designed to deliver increased engine cooling capability. The large rear roof spoiler also supports optimised aerodynamics, with a distinctive diffuser incorporated into the rear bumper, which incorporates a dual chrome exhaust. The Puma name gains black lettering and, as on the standard model, you get large split LED tail lamps and big lower corner reflectors. As you take a seat at the wheel, you're greeted by an 'ST- Ford Performance' start-up display on the centre monitor and an animated Puma on the instrument screen. You'll like the standard, well bolstered Recaro sports seats, which are heated, embossed with the ST logo and finished in partial leather and a grippy Miko Dinamica material. There's also a red starter button, an aluminium-faced gear knob with red ratio designations, 'Ford Performance' door entry scuff plates and silver alloy sports pedals. Plus you get white stitching on the wheel, the seats, the handbrake and the gearshift gaitor. The flat-bottomed ST sports steering wheel has a button from which you access the various drive modes and a 'Sport S' short cut switch for the 'Sport' setting that Ford thinks you'll be using quite regularly. In addition, this 12.3-inch instrument cluster screen has two added ST displays, one for 'Performance Gauges' (which shows oil temperature, oil pressure and turbo psi); and the other for 'Performance Details', which displays these things in real time as you drive. It all sets the right sort of tone for the driving experience to come. In the rear, it's fairly tight in terms of both leg and knee room - though you'd expect that in a supermini-based SUV. Otherwise though, a couple of six-footers would be comfortable enough, helped by the way they could slide their big size 10s under the seat in front. Unfortunately, Ford didn't think to provide USB charging points for them (even as an option). There are no grab handles above the rather small side windows and the headrests dig uncomfortably into your back until you raise them, but you get coat hooks on either side and a big overhead light. Out back, a handsfree powered tailgate was optional, but you don't really need it because the hatch is light to lift and opens to reveal something unusual: a decently-sized boot in a small Ford. This one has a 456-litre capacity - one of the largest in the segment. When you lift the tailgate, the parcel shelf rises out of the way with it, flat against the tailgate glass. Equally neat is the adjustable-height boot floor, beneath which lies this 68-litre recessed well - Ford enthusiastically called it a 'Megabox'- which allows you to carry tall items like electrical equipment upright. Push forward the 60:40-split rear backrest and a 1,216-litre space reveals itself.

What to Look For

We found lots of satisfied Puma ST customers but inevitably, our survey revealed quite a few issues too. The general things to look out for with used Puma STs are engine over-heating, SYNC 4 system software glitches and mild hybrid system issues. We've heard of problems with the engine management light illuminating, usually because of sensor problems or software faults. And on the 1.0-litre auto version, the mild hybrid engine is known for battery performance issues in cold weather. Some owners have reported coolant leaks and failing water pumps. And some of the cabin trim is cheap and damages easily. Make sure the car you're looking at has had the various product recalls dealt with; Ford issued those for loose hybrid battery connections, software issues affecting the e-call system and driver's airbag problems. Thoroughly check the SYNC 4 infotainment system, including navigation and Bluetooth-linking. www.fordownersclub.com is a good forum to discover faults. You'll need to look for the usual scratched alloys and evidence of child damage in the back. As usual, check that the service book is fully stamped up to date. Some ex-fleet models may have missed out on garage visits.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2020 Puma ST 1.0 EcoBoost 170PS mHEV auto - Ex Vat -autodoc.co.uk) An air filter costs around £11-£20 and an oil filter costs in the £6-£20 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £33 to £135 bracket for a set. Rear brake pads sit in the £22-£68 bracket for a set. Front brake discs sit in the £27-£160 bracket. Rear discs are in the £23-£51 bracket. Wiper blades cost in the £7 to £18 bracket. A water pump costs in the £52 to £95 bracket. A radiator costs in the £77 to £193 bracket.

On the Road

Properly sporty versions of supermini-based small SUVs are surprising rare, especially when they're engineered as well as this one. The original manual version of this car borrowed much from its Fiesta ST showroom stablemate, including its lively 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbo engine, though that unit was tweaked here for extra torque, so as to compensate for this little crossover's extra 100kgs of weight. As a result, the 1.5-litre manual version of this top Puma is able to match the Fiesta ST's 0-62mph time of 6.7s (which is just a second behind a Focus ST). The top speed is 137mph and active exhaust valve technology amplifies the naturally sporty three-cylinder engine sound too. Lots of other Ford Performance engineering changes feature here in a bid to give this fast Puma some real handling credibility. An optimised chassis features bespoke twist-beam, anti-roll bar and damper configurations. Plus steering response is 25% faster and the brakes are 17% larger than the standard Puma. Specially-developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres also help deliver the most agile Ford SUV driving experience yet, plus thick front and rear anti-roll bars add to cornering stability. If you want to go further, get a car whose original owner specified the extra cost 'Performance Pack' which gives you a unique-in-segment limited-slip differential to help get the power down out of tight corners. Plus an extra 'Track' mode. Whatever your final choice of spec, you'll immediately notice how firmly this car rides the bumps - inevitably as the rear suspension has been stiffened by 50% - but you could live with it on the commute and at cruising speeds, this ST feels much like any normal Puma. Like any ordinary variant in this model line, the ST version features selectable Drive Modes, including a 'Sport' setting (accessible via this bespoke steering wheel button) and (if the 'Performance Pack' has been fitted) a special 'Race Track' option. As for efficiency, well there's a combined cycle 41.5mpg reading and a 155g/km CO2 emissions figure. In 2023, Ford introduced an automatic version, but with that, you had to have a 170PS version of the three cylinder 1.0-litre mild hybrid engine used in other Pumas.

Overall

Denied the chance to develop an RS version of the fourth generation Focus, the Ford Performance engineers instead threw themselves with a will into the task of making this hot Puma more than just a sporty-looking SUV. There's real dynamic substance here - a rare thing to find in a compact Crossover. Of course you've to pay fairly handsomely for the privilege - but the asking fee could easily be replicated by a far less capable rival fitted out with a few luxury bells and whistles. Here, with this pre-facelift manual gearbox four cylinder model at least, you get a car that could really deliver hot hatch thrills on the right road on the right day. Yet for the rest of the year, function as unassuming family transport. And deliver an affordable set of daily running costs. If that sounds an attractive combination, you'll know what to do next.