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Expert Rating

Ford Puma ST

(2020 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

71
%
A

Used car score:

72
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

75
%
A

Safety Rating:

74
%
B

Eco Rating:

62
%
B

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

62
%
C

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

71
%
A

Used car score:

72
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

75
%
A

Safety Rating:

74
%
B

Eco Rating:

62
%
B

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

62
%
C

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.

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


Media reviews


Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Daily Mirror

+

Eurekar

+

Evo

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

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 consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models47 mpgC42 – 47 mpgC – D
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models150 g/kmB136 – 155 g/kmB – B
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models21A20 – 21A – A
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£208B
Year 2£529B
Year 3£856B
Year 4£1,133B
Year 5£1,507B
Overall£4,233B

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.

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The Ford Puma ST is a potent compact SUV that offers a lot of fun, but that brings compromises to its daily usability in the process.Ford Puma ST