- Ford Puma leads UK sales
- Fiesta production discontinued
- Puma praised for agility
All hail the new auto king of Britain!
Although not quite yet, Ford has prepared the champagne, celebration popper strings, and balloon release in advance, as its Puma is positioned to be the best-selling new model in the United States in 2023.
It has accrued 46,434 units sold as of the end of November, which should give it an insurmountable lead over Nissan’s Qashqai, the 2022 champion it will soon dethrone, in the sales charts by more than 7,000 units.
However, prior to certifying that it is the most popular automobile in the United Kingdom, we have spent a week driving one to determine whether or not it lives up to the moniker…
It was the Ford Puma that put an end to the Fiesta.
In 2019, the Puma marque underwent a revival and reestablishment.
Midway through the 1990s, the Puma was a reasonably priced two-door coupe distinguished by its short wheelbase and darting driving dynamics.
As of now, it is uncertain which market segment the Puma belongs to. Does it qualify as a supermini? An SUV, indeed? What is a “crossover”? No longer are we endeavouring to pigeonhole it.
But one thing is certain: the demise and burial of Britain’s most cherished automobile of all time is due to its recent surge in popularity.
Due to the increasing demand for high-performance compact vehicles like this one, as well as the increased profit margins for automakers per unit sold, Ford has given it precedence over the beloved Fiesta, the type of vehicle that the British own in greater quantity than any other vehicle (approximately 1.5 million of them are currently on the road).
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Consequently, production of Fiesta, which peaked at number one in the United Kingdom for sixteen consecutive years (including an eleven-year run from 2010 to 2020), was discontinued in July 2023.
In recent months, its gradual disappearance from showrooms has contributed to Puma’s success and caused its order files to bulge.
In the registrations league table, it has significantly outperformed its principal competitors in terms of demand, surpassing Vauxhall’s Mokka, Nissan’s Juke, VW’s T-Cross, and Skoda’s Kamiq by an enormous margin.
Ford even ventured into the realm of boy racers with a performance ‘ST’ variant, which you have almost undoubtedly passed in the parking lot of a McDonald’s in recent times.
However, the focus of this evaluation is the standard Puma.
How does the Puma feel while driving?
Standard Puma engine options are restricted to 1.0-liter petrol units equipped with 48-volt mild-hybrid (mHEV) technology. It is, however, intelligent technology.
In order to reduce fuel consumption, the engine deactivates when the vehicle comes to a complete stop and only restarts when a gear is clicked. A miniature electric motor provides a bit of additional propulsion to help you get going.
Two power outputs are available: 125bhp and 153bhp. We’ve driven the former with a seven-speed automatic transmission, but both have six-speed manual gearboxes.
Is it quick?
Simply put, no.
Ford claims it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds. Usain Bolt set a world record in 2009 by finishing the 100 metres in this time.
Is it fast enough for the roads of the United Kingdom? Undoubtedly, yes.
It is brisk in town when driving requires reliance on low rpm and becomes a stop-start exercise. Furthermore, it accelerates from 30 to 70 mph at a sufficient rate to merge into lane one at the same velocity as the traffic flow on a slippery road.
It is exceptionally smooth in both urban and highway environments; however, at highway speeds, the enormous 19-inch alloy wheels fitted to our test vehicle (more on this later) generate more than a hint of road rumble; and a rear-seat passenger confirms it is noisier than being seated in the rear of a Volkswagen T-Cross.
However, it surpasses competitors in terms of control, a characteristic that Ford has meticulously refined over the years. It has been the Fiesta’s defining characteristic for as long as I can recall.
The Puma, despite its elevated ride height and angular dimensions, is a delightfully manoeuvrable vehicle in tight turns. Like a stocky shot-putter that spins on its soles, it ejects the metal sphere after turning on a sixpence.
Furthermore, the most favourable aspect is that you always experience this sensation of agility. For instance, when traversing a business park, navigating around parked vehicles in town centres, or speeding through a small roundabout.
The ST-Line model we received was equipped with a lively suspension system that enables it to change direction on a B-road with the agility of a sheepdog attempting to lead its pack. Additionally, the chunky steering wheel rim provides a delightfully weighted connected feel.
