Ford Puma ST: RPM SUV - Road Test

We tried the Ford Puma ST: the sporty version of the small American SUV is great driving fun, worth the money and has a huge trunk. Availability, fuel consumption and response to low engine speeds can be improved

Appeal	The two ST letters have been a guarantee for those looking for true sportiness for many years.
Technological content	The most important ADAS are paid separately (850 euros). However, there is no adaptive cruise control.
Driving pleasure	The Ford Puma ST is the funniest little front wheel drive SUV on the market.
style	The ST touch has lent even more nastiness to one of the sexiest kids' crossovers.

La Ford Puma it has never been more powerful. In his youth from disconnected in the late 90s of the twentieth century, he stopped at 125 hp. (at least for the ones sold in Italy) and now with the option ST la second generation meanwhile become one small SUV - reached 200 hp

In our test we tested Ford Cougar ST in lane и roadLet's find out together strengths и defects baby crossover front-wheel drive the funniest on the market, the American answer to Mini Compatriot Cooper S.

What has changed compared to the usual Puma

Easy to distinguish aesthetically ST from one Ford Puma "Standard": at the front we find a splitter integrated into the bumper that increases downforce at the front by almost 80%, in the profile alloy wheels 19 ″ and the rear is decorated with a large spoiler and diffuser integrated into the bumper. Not to mention the glossy black roof trim, front grille edges, mirror caps and rear spoiler, and the logo. ST projected onto the ground from the rearview mirrors.

As for the salon, note i Recaro seats and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, while in the Technical section we find engine 1.5 turbo EcoBoost three cylinders gasoline engine with a capacity of 200 hp already seen under the hood Fiesta ST, torsional stiffness of the rear suspension increased by 50%, front and rear Hitachi shock absorbers with progressive damping, front anti-roll bar 24 mm (rear 28 mm), steering more responsive than 25% i brakes 17% larger (front discs 325 mm and rear discs 271 mm) and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires specially designed.

Not enough for you? 1.000 euros more you can buy Performance package which includes, among others, a Quaife mechanical limited slip differential and Launch Control.

Ford Puma ST: excellent price / grade ratio

La Ford Cougar ST our main character road test It has price very interesting - 33.000 euro - in combination with standard equipment rich:

Quality

• Illuminated sun visors
• Center console with armrest and storage compartment
• LED tail lights
• Fully automatic LED headlights
• Fold flat system
• Ford Megabox
• Indoor LED lighting
• Body-colored electric, folding and heated mirrors with integrated direction indicators
• Front seats with height and lumbar adjustment
• Recaro sports seats (heated front)
• Threshold threshold
• Front floor mats with double stitching
• Rear mats
• Ergonomic leather steering wheel, adjustable in height and depth
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Rear tinted glass
• Aluminum pedal
• Sports suspension
• Chrome exhaust pipe
• Sports rear spoiler

Green

• Electric Power Steering - EPAS (Electric Power Steering)
• Gear shift indicator
• Start and stop

Safely

• 7 airbags (front / side for driver and passenger and curtain)
• Anti-lock braking system - ABS (anti-lock braking system)
• Isofix safety anchorages integrated in the rear seats
• Audible signal for refusal to fasten the seat belts of the front seats
• Emergency modem call
• Central locking with remote control
• Rear three-point seat belts (three)
• EBS (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
• Emergency braking system - EBA (Emergency Brake Assist)
• ESC (Electronic Stability Control) + TCS (Electronic Traction Control)
• Front fog lights with cornering function
• Automatic emergency braking with brake chamber after impact
• PADI Switch - Front Passenger Airbag Deactivation
• Tire repair kit
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Heated windshield
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Selector of driving modes (4 modes)
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Automatic wipers

Smart

• One-touch front power windows for raising and lowering (driver's side only)
• Rear power windows
• Wireless charger for smartphones
• On-board computer with a color screen of 4,2 inches
• Cruise control with automatic cruise control
• FordPass Connect (modem)
• My key
• Front and rear parking sensors
• B&O SYNC 3 with 8 ″ TouchNav radio and 7 speakers + DAB + 2 USB ports + Apple mirroring
• Automatic climate control
• 12,3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Keyless start
• Keyless entry
• Surround and perimeter alarms

To whom is it addressed

To those who grew up with little peppers like Fiesta ST and now she has started a family: the perfect crossover for kids to have fun on the track and accompany kids to school.

Driving: first hit

Our first meeting with Ford Cougar ST took place on the track, natural habitat small SUV American sports car: Between the corners of the Lainate circuit, the very poor Blue Oval crossover proved to be very agile and engaging on the road, even for experienced drivers supported by one. steering very straight, leverage Speed that never gets stuck and a braking system that is always ready even after very intensive use. Four driving modes: Eco, Normal start, Sports (faster engine and accelerator pedal response and increased volume) e Track (for track use: traction control disabled and limited ESP).

Il engine 1.5 turbo EcoBoost three cylinders gasoline - very rich in horses (200) and torque (320 Nm) and with bias content that allows you to save on OSAGO insurance - it offers crazy features: a maximum speed of 220 km / h and 0 seconds "100-6,7". We just wish we had an even more appealing sound and quicker low-end response.

Driving: final grade

After leaving the circuit, we were able to evaluate the calibration suspensions of Ford Cougar STtough but never annoying. There small SUV sporty "Yankee" can be easily used as a car for every day: compact external dimensions (only 4,23 meters in length), not bulky racks and parktronic the standard front and rear sections make it easy to maneuver in the city despite the lack of body protection. The only mismatched note comes from consumption quite high: even with moderate driving, it is impossible to stay at an altitude of more than 15 km / l.

Pros and cons of practicality of the product: if it is true that the passenger compartment (in which there is too much hard plastic) is not very spacious, then it is equally true that trunk it is immeasurable. The compartment in the five-seater configuration has a volume of 456 liters plus another 80 offered by a very useful compartment. Megabox in a double bottom that allows you to load tall items and is easy to clean thanks to the waterproof cover and drain hole. When the rear seats are folded down, there are competitors who do better: the sleek design of the body is to blame.

What does it say about you

You are a real car enthusiast who grew up on bread and gasoline, you were never satisfied with normal cars and you were always trying to have fun. However, now you need more convenience.

Specification

engine	turbo petrol, 3-cylinder row
Potenza	200 CV
emissions	155 g / km
consumption	14,5 km / l
maximum speed	220 km / h
Acc. 0-100	6,7 with
Length Width Height	4,23 / 1,81 / 1,53 meters
Luggage capacity	456 / 1.216 liters
Empty weight	1.358 kg

Audi Q2 35 TFSI admires the advanced	More "premium" than the Puma ST, but with 50 less horsepower.
Hyundai Kona 1.6 T-GDI Excellence	Less bad than the Puma, but with two positives that cannot be underestimated: all-wheel drive and automatic transmission.
Hyundai Kona EV 64 kWh XPrime	Under the hood there are 204 horses, all electric. It costs a lot more than the Puma ST and it isn't all that fun.
Mini Compatriot Cooper S	The Ford Puma ST's only real rival is more versatile, more comfortable, and less gas-hungry than the Yankees' rival, but not as pleasant to drive. High prices and equipment for integration.