2026 Ford Puma Review, Dimensions, Interior

2026 Ford Puma Review, Dimensions, Interior – If cars could feel emotions like pressure, the 2026 Ford Puma would most likely have been sweating for the better part of its five years on the road. Not only did it face some opposition from Ford fans who were used to the original Puma, a great yet affordable coupé based on the Fiesta, but it also recently overtook the venerable supermini to become the brand’s smallest car. Considering the long track record of success of that model, changing it was a huge job.

Still, the Puma has done a good job. Even though it wasn’t as fantastic as the original Puma coupé, it was still the best car available in the rapidly expanding small SUV segment. Its inexpensive cabin was the one thing that let the side down. However, that flaw was addressed with the 2024 makeover, which also featured some minor changes to the exterior appearance and—above all—a totally redesigned dashboard layout. 2026 Ford Puma Review

2026 Ford Puma Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior & Interior

The cabin of the 2026 Ford Puma has undergone a comprehensive overhaul. The air vents on the dash have been moved from their previous lower position to the top, and they have also been altered to accommodate the latest version of Ford’s SYNC infotainment system. The newly styled steering wheel on the newest Transit Custom gives it a somewhat squared-off aspect that goes well with the sporty style of the Puma.

The simplest technology can sometimes be the most useful. Ford’s Quickclear heated windshield, which was first available on its cars in the 1980s, is still a fantastic winter feature. The most recent technical innovation, the digital dials, is bright and sharp, although the reverse camera’s quality is a little bit low. The Puma has a total of four USB ports: three USB-C connections and one USB-A socket.

The Puma now features a single steering-column stalk for improved ergonomics. It is situated on the left side and operates the front and rear wipers, headlight flasher, and indicators. The principal lighting settings are now operated by a panel on the dashboard located to the right of the steering wheel.

For Ford to fit its massive touchscreen into the dashboard, the inside of the vehicle had to be totally rebuilt. It has slightly raised the dash level, making it more difficult to see forward than it was previously.

Additional ergonomic trade-offs exist. The new smartphone holder is ill-designed; it tilts toward the cabin and is not suitable for wireless smartphone charging. It would be safer if phones leaned forward, away from the handbrake and gear selector, even if these are frequently left untouched. 2026 Ford Puma Review

2026 Ford Puma Specs

Engine & Performance

Everything has been kept quite basic for the revamped 2026 Ford Puma series, to the point that some consumers could find the options a little too limited. The reliable 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine is available with three tuning choices. The 123 horsepower model is the first in the range, and it continues with the 153 horsepower model.

The 168 horsepower 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine and automatic transmission are the sole powertrain options for the sporty ST model, which isn’t as potent as it once was. Compared to the previous 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a manual transmission, which generated 197 horsepower and increased the bar for driver excitement and involvement, that is a significant change.

The 123bhp version is available with a six-speed manual transmission for £1,800 less than the auto. The model below the ST, the 153bhp EcoBoost, is likewise limited to automatic transmissions exclusively. Front-wheel drive and 48-volt mild hybrid technology, which consumes less fuel, are standard on all versions.

Following several decades of producing well-mannered hatchbacks, Ford is now known for producing a range of everyday cars that are appealing to serious drivers. The Puma lives up to that, and it continues to provide more delight than its competitors in terms of handling. However, there are still some problems with the engines, primarily with Ford’s seven-speed automatic transmission. 2026 Ford Puma Review

2026 Ford Puma Fuel Economy

With a 52.3 mpg fuel efficiency rating, the Puma mHEV seems to be a rather fuel-efficient car, assuming a manual transmission and 123 horsepower. In our test fleet, the 153 horsepower mHEV delivered an average fuel economy of 44.3 mpg, which was a decent, if not remarkable, return for a car of size.

These figures are influenced by the mild-hybrid engine, which recovers energy lost when braking or slowing down and stores it in a 0.48kWh battery using an integrated starter/generator unit. The load on the gasoline engine (and hence its fuel consumption) can then be reduced for any further acceleration. The stop-start system operates quickly and almost perfectly thanks to the settings.

2026 Ford Puma Safety Features

Ford, which placed in at number thirty-nine in the 2024 Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, defeated only Fiat and MG to avoid receiving the lowest ranking. Furthermore, a far lower percentage of owners of the Italian-brand cars (11.8%) than of Ford drivers (20.8%) reported problems in the first year of ownership.

Euro NCAP downgraded the Puma’s safety rating from five stars to four stars in 2022 following additional testing. Though the Puma’s front seat and headrests drew criticism from the industry safety authority, it wasn’t the only small SUV to receive a four-star rating; the Hyundai Bayon and Vauxhall Mokka also fared poorly in the same assessment. Two rivals in the same class that have earned five stars are the SEAT Arona and the Toyota Yaris Cross.

The Puma does manage to make up some ground with to features like cruise control, lane keeping assistance with departure warning, pre-collision assistance with autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian/cyclist recognition, and post-collision braking. Some useful features include automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

2026 Ford Puma Release Date & Price

Since the Fiesta has been discontinued, the 2026 Ford Puma is now the most cheap car in the company’s portfolio. The 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium, with its 123 horsepower and six-speed manual transmission, is available for around £26,000.

With the most recent update in 2024, all variants in the range now come standard with Ford’s 1.0 EcoBoost three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with mild hybrid assistance. Three distinct power outputs are available with this: 123, 153, and 168 horsepower. The ST performance flagship now only has the 1.5 EcoBoost engine available; the 1.5 EcoBoost engine was previously offered.

Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.