Introduction to the 2024 Ford Puma
We’ve been waiting so long for the Ford Puma, and now that it’s finally here, everyone is disappointed by its pricing. In this review, we’re going to drive the Ford Puma around Mbombela, which is beautiful. We’ll take a quick look at its interior, show you the different colours and models it comes in, and then run through some interesting experiences.
When we arrive in Nelspruit, we went into our vehicles and got ready to hit the road. Speaking of the road, you might be wondering what’s powering this vehicle. The Ford Puma comes in two different models: the entry-level Titanium model and the range-topping ST-Line Vignale.
Specifications and Models
Both models use the same 1-liter turbocharged engine, or as Ford likes to call it, the 1-liter EcoBoost engine. It produces 92 KW and 170 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox. The claimed fuel consumption is 5.3 L/100km, and during the time we had the cars, we averaged around 8.1 L/100km.
A lot of people have been saying the pricing of the Puma should have been lower than what it is. I completely agree this car is expensive; Ford got the pricing wrong on this one. No matter how you try to justify it, R613,900 for a 1-liter turbo engine is a lot, and that’s before the optional extras.
Yes, the optional extras are available, and these lovely colours will drain you R1,040 each. The second optional extra is the Driver Assistance Pack, available for both models. It includes blind spot monitoring, intelligent adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, active park assist, and front parking sensors, all for R21,100.
The second optional extra is only applicable to the ST-Line Vignale. One standout feature of this range-topping model is the panoramic sunroof, but it’s not free. It’s an optional extra that will cost you R17,300 as part of the styling pack.
At this point, it feels like we are refereeing to a Polo. Ford decided to unbundle their service plan, so if you get the optional 6-year, 90,000 km service plan, you’ll pay R17,693. This brings the total price of this car, with all the extras, to R671, 033. No matter how you look at it, that’s a lot of money considering that this car comes with a 4-year, 120,000 km warranty.
All Ford Puma models come with decent safety features as standard. Both models get a lane-keeping system with lane departure warning, a collision mitigation system, and six airbags. In terms of the drive of this car, much like the Ford Fiesta, the Ford Puma is a very fun car to drive, especially around corners and twisty roads.
Driving Experience
That 92 KW is more than enough for most city driving. If you’re not interested in the optional adaptive cruise control system, you still get basic cruise control as standard on both models. You also get a keyless start as standard on both models. However, if you want keyless entry, it’s only available on the ST-Line Vignale. While we were on our drive, we decided to take a quick break to appreciate the views of Mpumalanga while we enjoyed amapiano. The ST-Line Vignale comes with a proper Bang and Olufsen sound system as standard, and it’s not an optional extra. The entry-level model comes with a six-speaker sound system.
Another feature of the ST-Line Vignale is the massaging seats. The seats massage you while driving, and they feel very nice. The seats are partially leather, and they look and feel premium. Jumping to the back seats; it’s tight back there with no rear vents, no USB ports, and no center armrest. The headroom is all right, but where the Puma shines is with the boot space. You have an electric tailgate, and the boot capacity is 456 liters. The boot is surprisingly bigger than expected, making it suitable for families. Closing the boot is easy with the press of a button.
Last but not least, you get an 8-inch infotainment system on both models with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both models also come with wireless charging. Moving on to the steering wheel, it looks and feels good, and the ST-Line gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument display. Two things I didn’t mention as standard are rear parking sensors and a reversing camera on both models. Ford parking sensors are standard only on the ST-Line Vignale and optional on the Titanium. When you open the door on the ST-Line Vignale, you’ll see a Puma logo.
Cost of Ownership
Coming to the pricing, if you were to buy this car fully loaded, you’d pay R671,033. On finance, you’re looking at approx. R13,500 Rand over 6 years at 13% interest. A full tank will cost you R1,200 at the current fuel price, and with an insurance premium of R1,500, your total cost of ownership would be approx. R16,200 Rand.
Warranty
All Ford Puma models come with a 4-year, 120,000 km warranty. If you’re looking to save money, the price difference between the Titanium and ST-Line Vignale is R44,000. If you don’t care about the sunroof, Bang and Olufsen sound system, digital instrument display, and massaging seats, the Titanium is worth considering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ford Puma is a great product from Ford, and I’ve personally been waiting for it for years since it has been in the UK Market for some time. The pricing, however, makes it a bit difficult to justify. If it were a bit cheaper, Ford would definitely struggle to keep up with customer demand because car is good all round. Let me know in the comments if you would buy the Ford Puma and, if so, whether you’d choose the Titanium or the ST-Line Vignale, or if you’d go for something else with your money.