What Car? Car of the Year

ighting off tough competition in this year’s line-up, the Ford Puma scooped the coveted top prize at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards. What Car? described it as “truly outstanding” and recognised the small SUV for its handling, affordability, gutsy engine, style and its excellent mild hybrid technology. Who can argue with that? You would be forgiven for thinking the mild hybrid technology that the Ford Puma possesses means it is a car all about fuel economy, but you would be wrong. For a 1.0litre petrol engine, the Puma is surprisingly punchy. The beauty of the mild hybrid technology is that it is intelligently applied. When the car senses you are coming to a stop it shuts off the engine but leaves enough power running to the steering and brakes. Tap into gear and the engine will quietly spring to life again and a small electric motor will kick in, making your getaway quick and seamless. This particular engine boasts 0-60mph in just 8.5secs, not too shabby for an economical, small SUV. You won’t have any complaints in the handling arena either. It is nimble, nippy and can hold its own overtaking on motorways and country roads. It comfortably darts round corners with great control, keeping you comfortable and secure on any journey. All Puma models offer varying driving modes; Sport gives the car F

stiffer steering and quicker accelerator response, while the Eco mode offers a gentler driving experience by restricting the engines power and reducing the air-conditioning’s effect to save on fuel consumption. It is a fun, sporty looking SUV, with stylish characteristics and soft lines. Inside, the Ford Puma offers a high-quality dashboard, clear layout and comfortable seats with plenty of adjustment. A modern 8-inch infotainment system with DAB radio, built-in sat nav and two USB ports sits proudly in the middle of the dash. A fancy wireless charging pad is also included to make it easier to charge certain smartphones on the move too. As a small SUV, it won’t set the world alight in terms of space, so taller passengers may feel a little snug wrapped up in its compact interior, but four adults can be seated fairly comfortably and families of four will be accommodated easily. The boot space is cleverly designed. It has ample room for several small luggage items in the main compartment, however it also has a hidden well underneath the boot floor easily accessed with a simple lift of the floor. The boot floor can also be adjusted in height, allowing you to achieve a smooth shelf when the rear seats are folded down, ensuring there is no annoying step to deal with when transporting various large items. Fuel economy is great, CO2 emissions are low and even the entrylevel models come well equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, climate control, cruise control and the front seats also have a massaging function. It has been a clear winner in this year’s What Car? Car of the Year Awards. Find out more at ford.co.uk.

Fuel Type: Petrol Average MPG: 50.4 0-62mph: 8.9secs CO2 Emissions (g/km): 99 Boot Capacity (litres): 456