Ford Puma ST: A mini SUV that goes fast, warms your hands and HATES crashing

FORD has a sporty Fiesta and a feisty Focus – but the Puma is often forgotten.

Thankfully there’s a fast, furious and brilliantly practical version of the Puma that ticks just about every box you have…including a racy ride.

The Sun / Sean KeachThe Ford Puma ST is an attractive motor that just edges into SUV territory[/caption]

The Sun / Sean KeachIt’s seriously sporty – and looks the part too, with red brake callipers and Ford Performance stylings[/caption]

The Sun / Sean KeachThe infotainment is simple, effective – and has a few fun tricks up its sleeve[/caption]

The tech-tastic Ford Puma ST is the powerhouse version of the car, with serious motoring credentials – and a body just big enough to be classed as an SUV.

Of course, you’ll pay about £30k for the pleasure of driving one, although that’s good value – all things considered.

For a start, you’re constantly reminded that this is a sporty car. And rightly so, since you’ve chucked extra money at the posh version.

It’s powered by a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine – offering a bit of extra torque, and just shy of 200 brake horsepower.

This helps the downsized SUV manage a zero-to-60mph speed of about 6.7 seconds.

Oh, and it’s manual. So you’ll properly feel like Vin Diesel as you scoot to and from Tesco, power-shifting to the Tokyo Drift soundtrack. If that’s your thing.

The car’s built-in Ford infotainment system is decent enough – it’s got all the bits you need, like audio playback, digital radio, mapping and so forth.

But you probably will (and in my opinion, should) make use of the built-in Apple CarPlay.

If you use an iPhone, it’s just intuitive. You immediately have your contacts, messages, music and more in a format you’re familiar with.

Plus it’s easy for passengers to get to grips with too.

This all appears on a small infotainment touchscreen above the central console – with a wider 12.3-inch instrument cluster behind the wheel for all the important stuff.

Heating is controlled by physical knobs, so you don’t have to blindly grope for a touch icon while driving.

And there’s some decent comfort perks too, with ST-branded Recaro sport seats (a little high for my liking, but it is an SUV) and a heated steering wheel.

Front seats are also heated, and there’s keyless entry to really make the whole Ford Puma ST experience a delight.

The Ford Puma ST starts at £29,460, but the model I drove came in at £30,410.

This included a hands-free power tailgate.

And it also featured a £600 Driver Assistance Pack.

That’s got loads of smart stuff that sets it apart from cheaper – or older – models you may have driven before.

For instance, automatic emergency braking will stop you from slamming into the back of a car.

There’s adaptive cruise control, which should give you a more relaxing drive while – again – stopping you from slamming into the back of a car.

And don’t forget parking sensors and a rear-view camera, designed to help you avoid gently rolling into other cars.

The theme here is that the Ford Puma ST really doesn’t want you to crash. Fair enough: it’s a decent looking motor.

There are some nice tech treats to enjoy too.

For instance, there’s an ST logo projection that beams down onto the floor from door mirrors – easily visible at night when you enter or leave the car.

You get a very effective wireless charging pad upfront for your posh new iPhone or Samsung.

And there’s an engine sound enhancer so you really feel the thrum of the three-cylinder engine as it hoofs you along.

Other benefits from the Performance Pack on the Puma ST include a launch control (to whiz off at the lights) and a limited slip dif (a great addition, boosting traction).

There are certainly cheaper Fords you can buy – and bigger ones, and faster ones.

But the Puma ST ticks a lot of boxes on the gadget and gizmo front, with decent specs for the price.

It’s an attractive car that goes fast, and it’s spacious enough for a small family or someone relentlessly encumbered with luggage.

By far the biggest benefit is that it’s loads of fun. Just brilliant fun – and it’s even practical.

Ford Puma ST from £29,460 – buy here

All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed. Always do your own research before making any purchase.

The Sun / Sean KeachThis manual tri-cylinder speedster will give you an adrenaline rush – but won’t scare the locals on the school run[/caption]

The Sun / Sean KeachThe sporty seats are a fun addition, and keep your body hugged – great for corners, especially as it’s a high ride[/caption]

The Sun / Sean KeachThe car genuinely looks good from every angle[/caption]

In other news, the new Lamborghini Huracan Evo can clean your house and sort your dinner.

The new Porsche Panamera has “night vision” and even does Shiatsu massages.

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is the electric car of your dreams.

Check out the new Bentley Bentayga Hybrid – a silent 17-foot “dream machine”.

Jaguar’s hybrid F-Pace may be the perfect car.

Check out the gadget-mad BMW X5.

And Audi’s Q7 hybrid is huge, terrifyingly fast and filled with sci-if tech.

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