Summary
The Ford Puma ST arrived in 2020, a year after the mainstream version of Ford’s new small SUV and added potency to go with the coupe-like looks of the model – Ford describes the ST as the brand’s “first performance SUV in Europe.”
ST models are intended to be powerful and fun to drive – the Puma is based on the chassis of the Fiesta, and so the ST gets the Fiesta ST’s turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine of 200hp, producing a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds. Other ST DNA includes tuning the suspension for better handling and adding sporty visuals inside and out.
Generally, testers like the concept – Auto Express reckons Ford has created “the best handling compact SUV on the market” and adds that for its capability, the Puma ST is “a bit of a bargain.”
The engine earns praise for enough power to be fun alongside daily-use practicality. Eurekar describes the performance as “very impressive, pulling strongly and with a respectable getaway and pulling power for overtaking.”
Minus marks for the Puma ST include its wheels, which are 19-inch only and according to some reviews a size too big for the car. Testers add that the steering is too sharp and fast-reacting, which makes for nervous cornering.
Taking a seat inside, some find the narrow sports seats restrictive, the Sunday Times adding that the interior “doesn’t feel very premium – the door inserts are cheap, hard plastic and some of the buttons a bit cheap and tacky.”
As of February 2025, the Ford Puma ST holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 71%. It gets high praise from motoring journalists for its driving dynamics, while safety and CO2 emission scores are also good. Running costs are average, however, and more expensive than other small SUVs.
- Ford Puma (2020 – present) | Expert Rating
- More Ford Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Puma ST highlights
- Excellent handling
- Quality engine
- Fun rather than outrageously powerful
- Practical enough to be a daily driver
Puma ST lowlights
- Overly sharp steering can mean twitchy cornering
- Mandatory 19-inch wheels are too big
- Rear cabin is cosy for adults
- Narrow sports seats don’t suit everyone
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £31,760 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST provides the most fun it’s possible to have in a crossover.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre 3cyl turbocharged petrol
Score: 9 / 10
“In the Puma ST, Ford has created the best-handling compact SUV on the market – and by some margin. True, it’s more expensive than the Fiesta ST with which the Puma ST shares so much – and not quite as thrilling to drive – but if this is the sort of car you want, it’s the best of its type.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed:
“Ford decided to give its already sporty little Puma crossover the full ST treatment, based on the engine and other bits from the brilliant Fiesta ST. In the process we think it might just have reinvented the hot hatch as we know it.”
Read review
“The Ford Puma is one of the best crossovers on the market, so the Puma ST performance edition looked incredibly promising. But changes made in the pursuit of speed have been aggressive, so it’ll be down to your driving style as to whether they suit you.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Performance Pack
Score: 8 / 10
“As a package, the Puma ST shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it demonstrates the talent of Ford’s engineers as this car must be the most fun to drive small crossover on-sale right now.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual
Score: 10 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST feels just as pliable and adjustable as the Fiesta ST supermini on which it’s based; from the seating position – which simply feels a little higher than the Fiesta’s – to the powertrain, which actually improves on the superminis. The result is an unlikely all-rounder.”
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Car Keys
Score: 10 / 10
“Combine one of the most fun hot hatches with one of the best-driving crossovers and the result is brilliant. The Ford Puma ST is unquestionably one of the best cars of its type to drive, offering just that bit more practicality than the Fiesta ST with its larger boot and more generous rear-seat space.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST is great to drive, has a brilliant engine and offers all the practicality of an SUV with hot hatch thrills.”
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Carwow
Score: 7 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST is the sportiest version of the Puma compact SUV, with meaner looks and a racier setup, but it’s very uncomfortable around town.”
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Daily Mirror
Score: 8 / 10
“Those already in the crossover camp who want a family car with more sparkle will undoubtedly love the Puma.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: ST-Line X Vignale
“What really makes this car such a winner is it’s driving experience and fun nature – starting with its smart design.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
“It’s not quite in the same league as the Kuga and that is arguably its toughest rival, but it delivers more of what I think a driver wants in terms of style and image. And it has that captivating ST badge.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A slightly more grown up and practical take on the excellent Fiesta ST that we can’t help but wish was less crossover and more coupe.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Puma’s sporty styling – including a sloping roofline silhouette and pronounced wheel arches – lends itself to a more extreme Puma ST design that combines form and function.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The whole car feels just as pliable and adjustable as the supermini on which its based; from the seating position which simply feels a little higher than the Fiesta’s – to the powertrain, which actually improves on the superminis.”
Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“It’s loads of fun. Just brilliant fun – and it’s even practical.”
Read review
Model reviewed:
“It’s a lot of fun to drive in a hurry, extremely well engineered and worthy of the ST badge. If just a little pricey.”
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The Sunday Times
Score: 6 / 10
“The Ford Puma ST is fun but flawed.”
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The Telegraph
Score: 8 / 10
“A combination of a high-performance drivetrain and a modish supermini SUV looks a winner on paper, but in practice the Ford Puma ST pricey and too harsh.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The right badge on the wrong car? Perhaps not. It’s a cracker to drive.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 77%
Safety assist: 74%
The Ford Puma ST shares its Euro NCAP result with the rest of the Puma range, which was tested when it launched in 2019. The car gained a top five-star rating, testers noting the full marks scored in the more challenging side-barrier and side-pole tests, and the effectiveness of the standard-fit autonomous emergency braking.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of February 2025, the Ford Puma ST has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of February 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Ford Puma ST to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Puma ST, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 47 mpg | C | 42 – 47 mpg | C – D |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 150 g/km | B | 136 – 155 g/km | B – B |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 21 | A | 20 – 21 | A – A |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £208 | B |
| Year 2 | £529 | B |
| Year 3 | £856 | B |
| Year 4 | £1,133 | B |
| Year 5 | £1,507 | B |
| Overall | £4,233 | B |
The Ford Puma ST is a bit more expensive to own and run than the regular Puma models, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Average servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years are likely to be about 40% more expensive than a regular Puma, while fuel economy is about 6mpg worse as well.
The good news is that insurance costs are expected to be very good, which is a pleasant surprise for a performance model.
Security rating
Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research
Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Pass
Date: 2019
The Ford Puma (which includes the ST version) performed well in Thatcham’s testing programme to measure anti-theft protection.
A Superior rating is the highest score, and the Puma also passed the new relay attack test, which measures the security of a car’s keyless entry and/or keyless start system. This means that the Puma is resistant to thieves intercepting the car’s keyless signal and using it to steal the car.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford Puma ST, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi SQ2 | Ford Fiesta ST | Hyundai Kona N | Mini Countryman JCW | Volkswagen T-Roc R
Performance compact SUVs are not exactly plentiful, but if you desire one there are some alternatives to the Puma ST, though generally they are 4x4s and so cost more money, while according to reviewers offering arguably less fun.
Alternatively, within the Ford family you could always look at the Fiesta ST, since it shares most of its underpinnings withe the higher-riding Puma.
Buy a Ford Puma ST
If you’re looking to buy a Ford Puma ST, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
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Lease a Ford Puma ST
If you’re looking to lease a new Ford Puma ST, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
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