Ford Puma - Interior, design and technology

Ford’s new small SUV is based on the best-selling (but now discontinued) Fiesta, which is no bad thing. Despite being one of the smaller B-segment models, the Puma has ensured it stands out from competitors with a distinctive design and impressive levels of standard equipment.

In the cabin, the dash and centre console will be familiar to those who’ve peered inside a recent Focus, although the visible plastics aren’t the Puma’s greatest quality. There’s far too much hard black stuff to be found, while other small SUVs are available with nicer interiors, and for similar money. A facelift, due in 2024, could address this issue.

Ford offers four core specifications for the Puma: Titanium, ST-Line, ST-Line X and ST-Line Vignale. There's also a Vivid Ruby Edition model available at the time of writing, plus the standalone Puma ST which we've reviewed separately.

The Puma range doesn't really have a basic entry-level model, so the cheapest Titanium car is priced at around £25,000, but is well equipped and finished with flair. Standard kit includes 17-inch alloy wheels, power folding mirrors, rear parking sensors, an eight-inch central touchscreen display and cruise control. The other side to this is that the Puma’s starting price is a touch high compared with rivals, some of which kick off from around £23,000. 

ST-Line models add extra standard equipment such as a widescreen 12.3-inch digital instrument display, but these cars major on sporty touches including a body-kit, different alloy wheels, sports seats and pedals and a sports suspension setup that helps the Puma to shine as one of the best crossovers to drive.

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ST-Line X builds on this with luxury features such as upgraded upholstery, rear privacy glass, a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 10-speaker audio set-up from Bang & Olufsen, while the ST-Line Vignale trim includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, front parking sensors and keyless entry. We'd advise on having a good look at what kit you actually need, as the ST-Line Vignale model, which costs around £30,000 to buy, seems a little indulgent.

As the name suggests, the Vivid Ruby Edition model only comes in ‘Vivid Ruby’ metallic paint with a contrasting black roof, black door mirrors and rear spoiler. It also comes with 18-inch alloy wheels finished in black, LED headlights, a powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view parking camera all as standard.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

All Puma models come with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system (with the exception of the Titanium Design version), including an eight-inch touchscreen with integrated navigation, Bluetooth, a DAB radio and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, while ST-Line X cars and above feature a wireless charging pad as standard. Bearing in mind the high list prices as you climb the range, the Titanium trim offers a sweet spot in terms of equipment and on-board tech.

ST-Line model like the car we tested feature a 12.3-inch digital instrument display which, along with the central touchscreen, is sharp and easy to navigate. And, if you feel the need for better quality audio while on the move, the ST-Line X models add a B&O Premium stereo with 10 speakers.

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The infotainment display in the Puma isn't as big as in some rivals, while its shortcut buttons are on a pop-up menu on-screen, rather than being separate. It can make it a little tricky to use – requiring at least two presses of the screen to make a selection. Ford’s SYNC 3 menu system is easy to work through, although the pale blue graphics aren’t quite as sharp as we'd like, and the digital dials aren’t quite as clear, either.