First Drive

2024 Ford Puma GTS: A Nimble Crossover with Practical Surprises

The 2024 Ford Puma GTS roars into the small crossover segment with a focus on driving fun and surprising practicality.

  • by: Samkeliso Maseko
  • July 1 2024
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2024 Ford Puma GTS Specs

  • Base Price

    US$27,495 (SZL 424,000)

  • PowerTrain

    1.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid assist | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission | Front-wheel drive

  • Horsepower | Kilowatts

    155 hp | 116 kW

  • Torque

    170 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm | 230 Nm @ 1,750 rpm

  • Seating Capacity

    5

  • Curb Weight

    3,220 pounds | 1461 kg

  • Cargo Volume

    14.3 cu ft (406 liters) - 47.2 cu ft (1338 liters)

  • Top Speed

    124 mph (200 km/h) (estimated)

  • Fuel Economy

    Up to 40 mpg highway (6.4 L/100km) (estimated)

  • Quick Take

    Impressive handling and a surprisingly practical interior.

  • Design Score

    8/10

  • Handling Score

    7/10

Verdict - Is Ford Puma A Good Car?

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What AutoTrends Thinks

AutoTrends Verdict: A Well-Rounded Performer with a Sporty Edge

The 2024 Puma GTS lands squarely in the "good car" category. It particularly shines for drivers who crave a car that feels nimble and engaging on the road, while still offering a comfortable and well-equipped interior. This isn't your average small crossover; the Puma GTS strikes a unique balance between athletic handling, surprising practicality, and running costs that won't break the bank.

Let's delve deeper into what makes the Puma GTS a compelling choice. First and foremost, it delivers a driving experience that goes beyond the typical crossover. The steering is sharp and precise, giving you a sense of connection to the road. This translates to confident cornering and a car that feels eager to respond to your inputs. Pair that with a comfortable and supportive seating position, and you've got a car that's genuinely enjoyable to drive, even on longer journeys.

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How Does It Hold Itself Against The Competition

Standing Out in a Crowded Field: How the Puma GTS Compares

The small crossover segment is a battleground for carmakers, with options galore for style, practicality, and performance. The 2024 Puma GTS enters this ring and throws down a compelling challenge to established players like the Volkswagen T-Roc and the Nissan Juke. While each car has its strengths, the Puma GTS carves out a distinct niche with its focus on driving dynamics and thoughtful interior design.

Let's take a closer look at how the Puma GTS stacks up against its rivals. First, there's the driving experience. The Puma prioritizes agility and responsiveness. Its sharp steering and well-tuned suspension translate to a car that feels eager to take on winding roads.

This focus on handling might not be for everyone, but for drivers who enjoy a more connected and engaging experience behind the wheel, the Puma shines. In comparison, the Volkswagen T-Roc prioritizes a more comfortable and refined ride. While it might not be as exciting in the corners, it offers a quieter cabin that excels on long highway journeys.

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Running Cost - What are The running cost of the Puma GTS?

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How Is Like Living With It?

Living with the Puma GTS: Finding the Sweet Spot

Owning a car is about more than just the initial purchase; it's about the ongoing costs of keeping it on the road. The 2024 Puma GTS strikes a sweet spot when it comes to running costs, offering impressive fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. Let's delve deeper into what this means for your wallet in the long run.

Fuel economy is a major concern for many drivers, and the Puma GTS delivers in this department. Thanks to its 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine with mild-hybrid assist, the Puma achieves impressive fuel economy figures. Estimates suggest you can expect up to 40 mpg on the highway, which translates to 6.4 liters per 100 kilometers.

But fuel economy isn't the whole story. Ideally, you want a car that's economical without sacrificing the joy of driving. The good news is that the Puma GTS doesn't disappoint in this regard. The mild-hybrid system provides a welcome boost of power when needed, ensuring the car feels responsive and engaging on the road. You won't be left feeling like you're compromising on performance to achieve good gas mileage.

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Maintanace Cost

Looking beyond fuel costs, there's the question of maintenance. While specific figures for the 2024 Puma GTS haven't been released yet, Ford generally has a reputation for offering competitive maintenance costs across its vehicle lineup. This means you can expect predictable servicing costs that won't break the bank.

Furthermore, the Puma's smaller engine size typically translates to less wear and tear on certain components compared to larger engines, potentially leading to lower repair costs down the line. While unexpected repairs can always occur, the combination of good fuel economy and a brand known for reasonable maintenance costs makes the Puma GTS an attractive option for budget-conscious drivers.

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interior and comfort - Is The Puma GTS comfortable?

Interior

A Cabin That Punches Above Its Weight: Comfort and Space in the Puma GTS

Don't let the Puma GTS's compact exterior fool you; the interior is a well-designed haven that prioritizes both comfort and surprising spaciousness. Step inside, and you'll be greeted by a driver-focused environment with high-quality materials and thoughtful ergonomics.

Let's start with comfort. The Puma GTS boasts supportive seats with ample bolstering that hug you in nicely during spirited drives. The driver's seat offers a good range of adjustment, allowing you to find the perfect position for long journeys. Ford's engineers have also paid attention to details like comfortable armrests and a well-placed steering wheel, ensuring a fatigue-free driving experience. Passengers won't be left out either; the front passenger seat offers similar levels of comfort and adjustability.

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How Much Interior Space?

Now, onto the question of space. Given the Puma GTS's compact size, you might be surprised by the feeling of spaciousness inside the cabin. Ford's clever design maximizes the use of available space, offering plenty of headroom and legroom for passengers in the front seats. Getting in and out is a breeze thanks to wide door openings.

The rear seats offer decent headroom as well, making the Puma GTS a suitable option for families with younger children. However, it's important to acknowledge that rear legroom might be a bit tight for taller adults on longer trips. Folding down the rear seats creates a generous cargo area, perfect for hauling groceries, luggage, or even sporting equipment.

Overall, the Puma GTS's interior strikes a remarkable balance between comfort and practicality. While the rear seat might not be ideal for long journeys with full-size adults, the overall sense of spaciousness and the focus on driver comfort make the Puma GTS a compelling choice for everyday driving and weekend adventures.

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Practicality And Booot Space- Is The Puma GTS Practical?

Practicality

Packing a Punch: The Puma GTS's Surprising Practicality

The 2024 Puma GTS might be a small crossover, but it proves that big things can come in small packages. Beyond its impressive fuel economy and engaging driving experience, the Puma offers a surprising level of practicality that makes it a compelling choice for everyday life. Let's explore the features that elevate the Puma GTS from a fun car to a functional everyday companion.

One of the highlights of the Puma's practicality is the ingenious "Ford MegaBox." This hidden gem is a compartment located under the boot floor. This extra storage space allows you to stash away groceries, taller items, or even dirty gear that you wouldn't want in the main cargo area. The MegaBox is a perfect example of Ford's thoughtful design approach, maximizing available space to meet the needs of drivers with active lifestyles.

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Boot Space

Beyond the MegaBox, the Puma GTS offers a respectable amount of cargo space for its size. With the rear seats upright, you get 14.3 cubic feet (406 liters) of cargo capacity, which is enough for everyday errands or groceries. However, the Puma's true potential is unleashed when you fold down the rear seats. This simple action transforms the cabin, creating a generous 47.2 cubic feet (1,338 liters) of cargo space.

Whether you're planning a weekend camping trip or need to haul bulky items from the hardware store, the Puma GTS can handle it with ease. The spacious cargo area, combined with the clever MegaBox, makes the Puma a practical choice for drivers who value versatility without sacrificing a fun driving experience.

It's important to remember that practicality isn't just about cargo space. The Puma GTS also offers thoughtful features that enhance everyday usability. For instance, the rear seats fold down flat in a split-folding configuration, allowing you to customize the cargo area to fit your specific needs.

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Reliabilty And Safety - Is The Puma GTS Reliable?

Reliabilty

Reliability: A Look at the Puma's Track Record

The Ford Puma is a relatively new model, having debuted in 2019. Therefore, there isn't a wealth of long-term reliability data available yet. However, this doesn't necessarily mean you should be discouraged. Here's what we can glean so far:

Ford's Reputation

Ford has a history of producing reliable vehicles. While not ranking at the very top, they consistently place in the middle of the pack in reliability surveys conducted by organizations like J.D. Power. This bodes well for the Puma, suggesting it's likely to be a dependable companion on the road.

Early Signs Owner reports and initial reliability surveys haven't thrown up any major red flags for the Puma. While it's still early days, this is a positive indicator.

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Safety

Safety: A Feature-Rich Shield for You and Your Passengers

The Ford Puma prioritizes your safety with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). These features are designed to intervene and prevent collisions, or at least mitigate their severity, by providing alerts and taking corrective actions. Here's a breakdown of some key safety features:

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

This system uses radar or camera technology to detect an imminent collision with a stationary or slower-moving vehicle ahead. If the driver doesn't react in time, AEB can automatically apply the brakes to help avoid the accident or lessen its impact.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

This system uses cameras to monitor lane markings. If the car starts to drift out of its lane unintentionally, LDW will trigger an audio or visual alert to warn the driver.

Blind-Spot Monitoring (BSM)

BSM utilizes radar sensors to detect vehicles in your blind spots - areas not easily visible in the rearview mirrors. If a vehicle is approaching your blind spot, BSM will typically illuminate a warning light in the side mirror and may also provide an audible alert.

These are just a few of the safety features that come standard on the Ford Puma. Additional features may be available depending on the trim level you choose.

Trim Power
Puma Titanium 92KW | 125HP
Puma ST-LINE 92KW | 125HP
Puma ST-LINE X 92KW | 125HP
Puma ST(Performance Trim) 147KW | 195HP






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