New Ford Puma ST-Line Review - Ford's most affordable car in SA, but is it still worth it?

Summary

This video reviews the new Ford Puma crossover SUV. The Puma replaces the Ecosport in South Africa and is more premium, with nicer interiors and ride quality. Under the hood it shares the same engine as the Ecosport. Priced from R569k, it offers a more premium driving experience but faces stiff competition from Chinese brands like Chery and Mahindra that offer more car for less money. The Puma has a very versatile, configurable boot. Overall it's a nice car but not the best value.

Takeaways

• 😊 The Ford Puma is an all-new crossover model launched in South Africa, having been sold in Europe for 4 years where it's the best-selling car
• 🚗 The Puma is larger, more premium and more expensive than the EcoSport it replaces in Ford's lineup
• 💰 Pricing starts at R569,000 for the Titanium model, R613,000 for the sportier ST-Line
• ⭐ The Puma has a more upmarket interior than the EcoSport with better ride quality and refinement
• 👍 It retains the proven 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo engine from the EcoSport with cylinder deactivation technology
• 🚚 The Puma features excellent practicality like a large boot with innovative stowage solutions
• 💡 However, it faces very tough competition from Chinese and Indian brands offering more car for less money
• 😕 The Puma is now the most affordable new Ford passenger vehicle you can buy in South Africa
• 🤔 Given the high price, buyers may find better value in slightly used Ford SUVs available
• 👍 The Puma offers a more premium driving experience akin to pricier German crossovers

Q & A

What models did Ford sell in South Africa before the Puma?

Ford previously sold the Figo, Fiesta, and EcoSport models in South Africa before introducing the Puma.

How does the Puma compare to the EcoSport?

The Puma is larger, more premium, and more expensive than the EcoSport. It has a nicer interior, better ride quality, and more premium features.

What engine does the Puma use?

The Puma uses the same 1.0L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine as the EcoSport.

What are some key interior features of the Puma?

Key interior features include a leather dashboard, carbon fiber accents, wireless phone charging, and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

How practical is the cargo space in the Puma?

The Puma has a very versatile cargo area with up to 456 liters of space. It has a multi-level boot floor and Ford's 'MegaBox' for additional storage.

What safety features does the Puma offer?

The Puma comes standard with a full suite of airbags and advanced driver assistance systems like radar cruise control.

How does the Puma compare to rivals in terms of pricing?

The Puma is more expensive than rivals from Chinese brands like Chery and Mahindra that offer similar size and features.

Will the Puma receive a facelift anytime soon?

Ford has said it likely won't bring the Puma facelift that debuted overseas to South Africa.

What warranty does the Puma offer versus rivals?

The Puma has a 4-year/120,000km warranty, while rivals like Honda, Mahindra, and Chery offer 5-year warranties.

What is the author's overall opinion of the Puma?

The author thinks the Puma is a very nice premium hatchback, but it is expensive compared to rivals with similar features.