The 2025 Ford Puma SUV gets a subtle new look and better in-car tech as part of a key facelift
NOTE: The petrol version of the Puma has been retired in Australia, but this UK review may provide some useful insights on what to expect from the Oz-bound electric Puma.
Ford’s decision to kill off the Fiesta last year was met with a fair amount of confusion, considering how popular the firm’s long-running supermini was.
It makes a lot more sense once you factor in the Puma, which has largely filled the void left by the dinky hatchback, thanks to its fun dynamics, practicality, affordability, and generous equipment levels.
Our main gripe with the Puma when it relaunched in 2019 was the cabin. It lagged behind the competition when it came to quality, and the small infotainment screen was a touch laggy. But Ford has addressed the Puma’s shortcomings for its mid-life facelift, which we’re driving here for the first time.
MORE: 2024 Puma facelift revealed 🔽
Tech-savvy buyers will appreciate the 2025 Ford Puma’s new dash layout, which comprises a larger 12-inch display and revised infotainment running Ford’s latest SYNC4 software.
It’s a marked improvement on what went before, with faster loading times between menus (which we had no problem navigating) and a layout that’s easy to read on the move with strong resolution.
Unfortunately, the additional screen real estate has forced Ford to incorporate the tactile physical climate controls into the bottom section of the display, which is annoying. But at least the bank of buttons is always visible.
The new 12.8-inch driver’s screen is seriously impressive in a car the size of the 2025 Ford Puma, and it’s standard-fit across the range. It replaces the old car’s 4.2-inch display and it’s easy to flick between the different readouts thanks to the sensibly-sized, physical buttons on the steering wheel.
Speaking of the steering wheel, that’s new for the facelift too; what at first looks a little ungainly (with its squared-off top and bottom) feels pretty natural on the move.
While the technology has been given a noticeable upgrade, interior fit and finish are unchanged. In the cabin, the dash and centre console will be familiar to those who’ve peered inside the current-generation Focus; the pre-facelift Puma didn’t offer the most premium cabin, and while the layout has changed, there are far too many hard surfaces on display.
Practicality remains a strong point of the 2025 Ford Puma, however. There’s still a commodious 456-litre boot (1,216 litres with the rear seats folded down).
There’s also a 68-litre ‘Megabox’ hidden storage area beneath the boot floor with a drain plug at the bottom as a handy spot for storing boots or wet kit after a muddy walk.
Don’t go looking for too many changes on the exterior for the new car, though. The front-facing Blue Oval badge has been relocated on the grille, and there are some new lights. Otherwise, you’re limited to a few new colours and alloy wheel designs. That’s your lot.
The line-up of engines is broadly the same, too. The Puma is front-wheel-drive only, and buyers are offered three petrol engines.
There’s a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder using 48-volt mild-hybrid technology with either 123bhp (92kW) or 153bhp (114kW) – the former coming with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed auto. The more powerful version is auto-only and is the one we’re driving here.
Sadly, Ford has killed off the range-topping 197bhp (147kW) Puma ST, which means the raciest model now available is the ST ‘Powershift’, which uses a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine with 168bhp (125kW) and a seven-speed auto box.
The 2025 Ford Puma trim structure has been streamlined with four core versions: Titanium, ST-Line, ST-Line X and that performance-focused ST. The entry-level trim kicks things off at £25,800 ($48,690 AUD), which is several thousand more than the cheapest Renault Captur.
It is very well equipped, though, with every version getting those two massive screens on the dash, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED rear lights, body-coloured exterior trim, power-folding heated mirrors, a rear parking camera, and selectable drive modes.
ST-Line models include a muscular body-kit, sports suspension, a leather sports steering wheel, and alloy pedals, while ST-Line X cars come with stylish 18-inch wheels, privacy glass, a powered boot lid, wireless phone charging, and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The ST features 19-inch alloy wheels, even more aggressive exterior styling, plus Ford Performance seats and a 360-degree camera.
Our car, the ST-Line X, came with £4,400 ($8,306 AUD) worth of options, which bumped its price to over £35k ($66,100 AUD) – a lot for a small crossover with its roots traceable to the humble Fiesta. The summer weather didn’t really allow us to test the ‘Winter Pack’ (heated seats and steering wheel), but we found the new Desert Island Blue paint to be pretty striking in the sun.
Something we wouldn’t bother with are the 19-inch alloy wheels, which give the Puma a fidgety ride at low speeds. And that’s a shame, because we found the old Puma with smaller wheels to ride pretty well, despite it also offering the best dynamic balance in its class.
On the move in the new car, the steering feels light – with a vagueness to the straight ahead. It tightens up if you put the 2025 Ford Puma into the Sport mode using the drive-mode selector, and it relays a pretty accurate feel. There’s a good level of grip too, so immediately the Puma feels like an SUV suited to spirited driving and one you can flick through corners nicely.
Somewhat at odds with the now automatic-only Puma ST, the automatic gearbox wouldn’t be our choice for an engaging drive. While it delivers a smooth gear shift, there’s no manual override option, and the gear changes themselves aren’t too quick – even in Sport mode.
As it is in many of Ford’s other offerings, the six-speed gearbox is lovely. It’s precise enough if a little on the rubbery side, but this just makes it easier to use daily with a neutral-feeling clutch pedal.
The 2025 Ford Puma’s standard chassis is well balanced, with a bit more body roll than the Fiesta (as you’d expect for a higher-riding model), but almost the same levels of playfulness behind the wheel.
Even with the sports suspension on our ST-Line model, the damping isn’t too aggressive, and it has a decent level of compliance to make long journeys comfortable. It all comes together to give the Puma brilliant composure and an engaging drive.
MORE: 2023 Ford Puma ST review 🔽
It’s a shame the Puma ST is no longer offered with the turbocharged engine from the Fiesta ST under the bonnet because with 197bhp (147kW) and a slick six-speed manual, it was a lot of fun.
The new ST ‘Powershift’ variant with an automatic transmission just doesn’t reach the same levels of engagement and with 168bhp (125kW), 248Nm of torque, it’s not as quick either.
VERDICT
The 2025 Ford Puma has been given new tools to take on the small SUV sector, and on this evidence, it’ll surely prove as popular as ever.
The fresh interior tech is impressive, and the driving experience continues to shine in a class of otherwise safe and sanitised SUVs. It’s pricier than most of its rivals now, though, and the demise of the more powerful Puma ST is disappointing to see.
Alastair Crooks & Automotive Daily
MORE: Ford Puma EV due this year
