2023 Ford Puma review - still the best small SUV? | What Car? 

Thanks for watching!

Totally agree. It's just a hatchback.

I just bought mine, I hope your problems were an isolated case.

Not good...

@@alanpotter7988 they fixed that issue for all I know

That sucks - I've got the Ford Puma ST Line - haven't had any problems with it so far (touch wood)

@@RighteousBrother When did u get it? Got mine last week

Yaris cross is the best

My local dealer has around 20 used fiestas sitting at the front of his forecourt. They are desperate to shift them although they are still flogging new ones.

I just test drove a Puma. Didn't like it. I found the raised headlights distracting. Kept my Fiesta. But what car next?

Love my puma, great look, comfortable and great to drive

@@fus149hammer5 my dealer had several second hand Pumas, all 2 years old .

Hi, after 4 months are your thoughts the same? Me and my girlfriend are Getting a 22 plate soon but have seen a few say they've had reliability issues. Thanks

@@SpearmintTyger Hi, Our 22 plate is our first Puma, bought new so as should be expected it's been excellent, no issues. We'd had so many of the Fiestas that as much as we liked them we knew we had to try something else, especially as over the years I'd be struggling getting all the gear in the car for my daughters when they were doing Uni. You get used to it's slightly higher driving position in literally no time, as well it's slightly bigger size, it's barely noticeable from a driving perspective anyway so you're used to any difference after a drive or two - I really like how they drive. It's a clever design, the car isnt actually bigger in a way that would trouble anyone after a Fiesta and the extra space is very noticeable when needed and very welcome. I actually think they look great and better, more eye catching and interesting that the Fiesta's especially in some of the colours available. We bought ours's in the Solar Silver and had a lot of comments from various people, saying how good the car looked. When we went to pick it up a potential customer who'd just arrived asked the sales man if ours was for sale as it they really liked it. I wouldn't hesitate if you are thinking about it after Fiestas, they are kitted out nice from basic, the heated screens etc. Just search the best you can, low miles as it will be like new. We are definitely going for another. All the best with it.

@@RR-kb2ks I'm in the same boat, need more space for all of the kids stuff haha! I think they look great and you can get all the luxury add ons for a reasonable price it seems. Thanks a lot for the review 😅

​@@SpearmintTyger 😃👌👍

I have the puma ST manual. Absolutely love it.

I’ve the ST and it does have TPM.

@@kevinmills5293 oh! Are you able to give a step by step run through please? Really would appreciate it 👍

@@windycity1828 press the menu button on the steering wheel, scroll to display setup, scroll to tyre pressure and select it. This is in your user manual.

Completely agree

no problems, know of a few people with ecoboosts. just keep do your oil changes on time

I’m loving the 1L turbo boost engine. Very happy with the power and rather fast to take off, particularly with the sport driving mode on.

That poor design was engine of the year like 5 years in a row. Had one myself in a 2012 Focus, did 120.000km with no problems. Now upgraded to the mild hybrid 2022 Focus.

@@buijs1967 You were VERY lucky. dominicr4740 is right with his comments.

Wet belt? 2019 onwards are chain driven.

The 1 litre ecoboost engine had its problems in the first year, but it has been reliable ever since.

@@ZaphodBeeb1 if only you were right. There are still problems with these. 2023 models are still giving serious problems.

When I saw one , just like my Fiesta, it has no spare wheel.

Agree

Ford won’t update as they are solely focussed now on expensive EV’s. Not even interested in small cheap ones by the looks of it. All their eggs in one basket with a whole in the bottom!

Not investing anything into passenger vehicles because in a few years they will be rebadged VWs. Mondeo gone, Fiesta gone, Focus going.

But VW wont have that lineup either (Polo, Passat,Golf) they are going to let them lose as well so what to rebadge exactly? VW rebadged the Ranger though.@@ingopaul67

Yes we are getting one next month and the dealer is supplying one. Anything but that can of shaving cream they offer these days.

Well the oil and belt problems were from the old eco boost engine. The new one has a timing chain. I think there is one other belt that runns in oil but its not "as important" as the timing belt. Just fill it up with the right oil and youre fine. Btw. Im waiting for my stx 200hp with all options (except the sunroof) to be delivered at the end of march.

Those problems with the engine were ages ago, now the engine have timing chain, no worries.

It's a crossover, a raised hatchback.

Puma hands down

Oh yeah the box that originally held a spare wheel! They go on as if they've done you a favour by taking it away.

@@fus149hammer5 your right but mine has a spare wheel

@jimblack8104 We got a new one a week ago and the condition was it must have a spare wheel. Picked it up last Saturday and where there should have been a spare was just an empty space. The salesman said they don't have spare wheels anymore, they don't supply them. I referred him back to the spec sheet he gave us at the start clearly showing it as an optional extra. The manager wasn't available that day but Monday I was due to take it back to be diamondbrited. The manager was there so I grabbed him because it was him that offered us the car that was a cancelled order but a higher spec than usual and "definitely has a spare wheel". He ended up running around opening the boots of all the showroom models to find us the spare we should have had at the start. He couldn't find one. He has ordered one to be supplied free of charge. That stupid box isn't much use when you're stuck on the hard shoulder of a motorway in the rain with a shredded tyre and facing a three hour wait for help.

The VW has by far the more reliable engine..whatever the drivability

@@paulpilkington1797 No ones trusts Vw group engines as they fitted cheat device to their petrol engines and not just diesel as widely wrongly believed. Even fitted new cheat devices to engines that failed to put right in US and Germany so they never learn.

Launches in an EV version in 2024

@@nickbromhall thank you i have a Fiat 500e at the moment but might consider the Puma EV

Will that be the face lifted version?

No, all petrol

Yes my wife has the 1.5tdci engine in her Puma. It drives nicely and is extremely economical, about 3.9l/100km average. The 2024 launch model has dropped the diesel option.

No it's just the roads are so bad it's like going off road!😂

No not at all.

I’ve had mine for 2 years, absolutely zero issues. Still drives as great as the day I got it…

Yes, but they date very quickly sadly.

@paultaylor9652 just look at the inside of the new kia sportage or niro , far more hi tech than that ford puma , just look at the graphics and size of screen 😆

Seven year warranty with Kia. I saw the new EV9 the other day it's bonkers! Starting at 37k and going up to 75k it's like an electric Range Rover.

The title never said ‘new’ it said 2023 signifying it is the current generation!

What are you on about Wayne. You’re the only person misled by this. Clearly says 2023

Stop being a silly billy Wayne

I picked up a new Puma ST Line 155bhp 2 weeks ago. It's identical

Pumas dont have wet belts

Your comment is true for older cars with the ecoboost engines but newer cars have chains not belts. I've done 70k miles in 30 months and no problems at all.

Agree. My garage would not touch one either.

@@theBonus77 The timing chains have problems too. Plus the basic design of the engine is similar to the wet belt engine version together with its associated design issues.

@@plym1969 You are very lucky. The timing chains have problems too. Plus the basic design of the engine is similar to the wet belt engine version together with its associated design issues.

New puma have chain not belt.

Would not have a TROC or any VW product for two reasons. 1. The TSI engine when it has a few miles under its belt become very problematical. 2. I would not drive a car with VW's very questionable recent past i.e. Diesel gate shenanigans. That said I would not buy a Puma either with that Ecoboooom engine.

@@bondjamesbond9041 Done 53,000 in my 1.5 tsi Skoda karoq with no problems silky smooth engine and ride. Every body that travels in it says how comfortable and quiet it is and the quality of the interior.

Below average.

I’ve read the 1.0 puma engine doesn’t have the wet belt but an external cam belt

@@theBonus77 No it does not. The new Puma has a timing chain. But these have been found to give problems too.

​@@bondjamesbond9041I have a focus with a 1L ecoboost engine - 10 years old and NO ISSUES because I get it serviced regularly with the correct oil. No, I am not lucky and I am sure there are plenty of other owners with no issues. Like everything else, you only hear about the bad never the good.