FORD

FORD PUMA HATCHBACK 1.5 EcoBoost ST [Performance Pack] 5dr

Fuel

FuelPetrol

Transmission

TransmissionManual

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph6.7s

WLTP - CO2 (g/km)

WLTP - CO2155 g/km

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. A 170PS 1.0-litre unit's also available if you want auto transmission. In either case, what's delivered is a car the family driving enthusiast will find easier to justify. Few small SUVs could keep it in sight on a twisty road.

RETURN OF THE ST

In ST form, Ford's Puma unlocks its playful side. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

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. A 170PS 1.0-litre unit's also available if you want auto transmission. In either case, what's delivered is a car the family driving enthusiast will find easier to justify. Few small SUVs could keep it in sight on a twisty road.

Background

For Ford, 'ST' is an evocative badge - and one that enthusiasts have flocked to for decades with fast Fiesta and Focus hit 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 ST form, the Ford Performance team have done 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 we think that this one might just buck the trend.

Driving Experience

Properly sporty versions of supermini-based small SUVs are surprising rare, especially when they're engineered as well as this one. As you'd expect, the top version of this car borrows much from its Fiesta ST showroom stablemate, including its lively 200PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbo engine, though that unit's been tweaked here for extra torque, so as to compensate for this little crossover's extra 100kgs of weight. As a result, the fastest Puma ST is able to match the Fiesta ST's 0-62mph time of 6.7s (which is just a second behind a Focus ST). The 1.5-litre manual model's top speed is 137mph and active exhaust valve technology amplifies the naturally sporty three-cylinder engine sound too. If you want your Puma ST as an automatic, you'll need to have it with Ford's three cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, which here appears in its fastest-ever form with 170PS, allied to 48V mild hybrid tech and paddlesift-operative 7-speed Powershift auto transmission. The rest to 62mph sprint with this variant is eagerly dispatched in 7.4s. Lots of Ford Performance engineering features have been incorporated with both Puma ST variants in a bid to give this fast small SUV 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, you can specify an extra cost 'Performance Pack' which gives you a unique-in-segment limited-slip differential to help get the power down out of tight corners. 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 a special 'Race Track' option.

Design and Build

The Puma's sporty styling - including a sloping roof line silhouette and pronounced wheel arches - lends itself to the more extreme design of this ST variant. A Ford Performance-embossed splitter is integrated into the front bumper to increase front end downforce by almost 80% for greater stability and traction. The large rear roof spoiler also supports optimised aerodynamics, with a distinctive diffuser incorporated into the rear bumper. Signature ST upper and lower grilles are designed to deliver increased engine cooling capability. The interior is equally charismatic; even before entering, standard power-foldable door mirrors project the ST logo onto the ground when unlocking. Inside, heated, bolstered Recaro sports seats - embossed with the ST logo and finished in grippy Miko Dinamica material - hold driver and front passenger firmly in place. Ford Performance skid plates, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and an ST gear knob also feature. Otherwise, it's just as in any other Puma. Which means you get a digital instrument cluster screen and the usual SYNC 3 centre stack infotainment screen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' compatibility and an incorporated premium B&O sound system. Out back, there's a reasonably comfortable space for a couple adults. And you get a decent 456-litre boot, with an 80-litre recessed well beneath the floor (the Ford 'MegaBox').

Market and Model

Puma ST pricing for the 1.5-litre manual model starts at around £31,000 - and enthusiastic drivers are going to want to allow £900 more for the optional 'Performance Pack' which includes a limited-slip differential. At least you get plenty of kit for that, with 19-inch alloy wheels, Recaro sports seats and a bespoke ST interior, including a premium B&O sound system. Standard FordPass Connect modem technology allows Puma ST owners to remotely control a selection of vehicle features - including Door Lock Unlock and Vehicle Locator - via the FordPass mobile app. The modem also enables cloud-connected Local Hazard Information, which can inform drivers of a hazardous situation on the road ahead, even if the incident is not visible due to a bend in the road or other vehicles. Further available but sadly optional driver assistance technologies include Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking, Active Park Assist, Cross Traffic Alert with Active Braking and Intelligent Speed Limiter. The Puma ST offers Magnetite or machined metal finishes for the standard 19-inch alloy wheels. And six available exterior body colours, which include Agate Black, Desert Island Blue, Fantastic Red, Frozen White, Magnetic and bold, ST-exclusive Mean Green. A gloss black finish for the roof, grille surrounds, side spears, door mirror caps and rear roof spoiler are all standard, making the model even easier to identify.

Cost of Ownership

Industry-first innovation enables the 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine to be as sensible as it is sporty. It doesn't feature the electrified mild hybrid tech you get with the Puma's smaller 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol unit, but it does share that lesser three cylinder powerplant's clever cylinder deactivation system. You might be familiar with this sort of thing from larger engines but if you're not, we'll tell you that at less than 50% throttle and between 1,500 and 4,500rpm, one cylinder is shut off, improving fuel consumption (so Ford says) by as much as 6%. The system can disengage or re-engage the cylinder in question (the middle one) in just 14 milliseconds - 20 times faster than the blink of an eye - and the transition either way is so seamless you won't feel or hear it: we couldn't anyway. A rapid light-off gas particulate filter also reduces soot emissions. All of this contributes to impressive WLTP-rated efficiency figures, given the performance figures being served up here. For the 1.5-litre manual variant, there's a combined cycle 42.8mpg reading and a 148g/km CO2 emissions figure. The 1.0-litre auto model fdoes fractionally better - 44.8mpg and 144g/km.

Summary

Denied the chance to develop an RS version of the Focus, the Ford Performance engineers have instead thrown 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, 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.

  • Quickclear heated windscreen
  • Rear wiper
  • Privacy glass to side rear windows and tailgate glass

  • Electronic stability control (ESC) and hill start assist
  • Pre-collision assist with autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian/cyclist detection & post-collision braking
  • Red brake calipers

  • Front and rear floor mats

  • ST suspension

  • Wireless charging pad

  • Cruise control
  • Rear parking sensor
  • Power assist steering
  • Lane keeping aid with lane departure warning

  • Selectable drive modes(Normal, sport, Eco, trail, slippery)
  • Ford easy fuel

  • Full digital 12.3" instrument cluster

  • Power foldable heated door mirrors with puddle lamps
  • Body coloured door mirrors

  • Carbon look interior deco spears

  • Engine sound enhancer

  • Unique ST elements to front and rear body styling kit including Ford Performance embossed splitter
  • High chrome waistline
  • Gloss black with chrome elements on front and rear bumpers
  • ST scuff plates

  • Front fog lights with cornering lights and LED rear lamps
  • Fixed LED headlamps
  • Automatic headlights with rain sensing wipers and auto high beam
  • LED daytime running lights

  • Manual air conditioning

  • Alloy sports pedals
  • Centre console with armrest and stowage
  • Ford megabox extended bootspace
  • Premium sensico wrapped instrument cluster
  • Unique ST gear shift knob
  • ST flat bottomed steering wheel with metal grey stitching
  • ST logo projection
  • Recaro sport seats partial leather upholstery

  • Comfort pack - Puma
  • B&O Premium Audio system + Ford SYNC 3 navigation pack - Puma

  • 3 rear seatbelts
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

  • Front and rear head restraints
  • Lumbar massage for driver and passenger

  • Thatcham alarm

  • 19" 5 spoke magnetite machined finished alloy wheel

  • Tyre inflation kit

  • CO2 (g/km): 134
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 155
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Max: 155
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Min: 155
  • HC+NOx: N
  • Particles: N

  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 84
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 90
  • CC: 1497
  • Cylinders: 3
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Number of Valves: 12
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
  • Transmission: MANUAL
  • Gears: 6 SPEED

  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • WLTP - MPG - Low: 32.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium: 44.1
  • WLTP - MPG - High: 47.9
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 39.2
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb: 41.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Min: 41.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Max: 41.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 8.7
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 6.4
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 5.9
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 7.2
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Min: 6.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Max: 6.8

  • Generation Mark: 2
  • Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: False
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Based On ID: N
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 22E
  • Service Interval Mileage: 18000
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24
  • Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 100000
  • Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: 120
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 94
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 84
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 77
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: 74
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5
  • Badge Power: 200
  • Badge Engine CC: 1.5
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • Coin Series: ST [Performance Pk]
  • Coin Description: EcoBoost
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000
  • Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 1
  • Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

  • Engine Power - BHP: 200
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 6.7
  • Top Speed: 137
  • Engine Power - KW: 147
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 236
  • Engine Torque - NM: 320
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 32.6

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

  • Tyre Size Rear: 225/40 R19
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY
  • Wheel Style: 5 SPOKE
  • Tyre Size Front: 225/40 R19
  • Alloys?: True
  • Space Saver?: False

  • Length: 4226
  • Width: 1805
  • Wheelbase: 2588
  • Width (including mirrors): 1930
  • Height: 1533
  • Height (including roof rails): 1550

  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 456
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 640
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1283
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 1815
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 45
  • Max. Roof Load: 50
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1216
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.2

  • Front parking sensor: Included

  • Power liftgate hands free including keyless start + entry, motion sensing key fob: £600

  • Premium paint: Included
  • Power opening panorama roof: £950
  • Exclusive paint: £400
  • Additional Exclusive paint: £500
  • Black contrast roof: Included
  • Additional Premium paint: £250

  • Driver assistance pack - Puma without ACC: £900
  • ST performance pack - Puma: £950

  • Exclusive paint - Mean green: £500
  • Premium paint - Frozen white: £0
  • Exclusive paint - Desert island blue: £400
  • Exclusive paint - Magnetic: £400
  • Premium paint - Agate Black: £250
  • Premium paint - Race red: £0
  • Exclusive paint - Grey matter: £500
  • Exclusive paint - Fantastic red: £500

  • Keyless entry: Included

  • Detachable towbar: £500

  • Recaro sport seats partial leather - Ebony black with with miko dinamica stitching: £0

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

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