√2022 Ford Puma Buyers Guide

Here’s our guide to navigating the variants and options on offer with the 2022 Drive Car of the Year Best Light SUV

The Drive team has chosen the Ford Puma as the Drive Car of the Year Best Light SUV for the second year running. It achieved this high praise thanks to its refined build quality, accomplished drive experience, and value-packed list of standard equipment.

Segment finalists in the Toyota Yaris Cross and Kia Stonic put up a contested fight, though the Puma’s all-round ability won it the coveted award for 2022. The Ford Europe-developed car is a major advancement over its predecessor and its driving character is a cut above its competition.

Meanwhile, its interior is presented in a modern and functional format and utilises soft-touch materials on most touchpoints. Not to mention, every variant in the range is fitted with wide-ranging safety kit – important for the young drivers Ford aims the model at.

The 2022 Ford Puma line-up is a three-strong range starting at the eponymous Puma, moving up to the Puma ST-Line, and ending with the flagship ST-Line V specification. The range spans $30,340 to $35,890 (plus on-road costs). While it’s one of the more expensive options in the popular light SUV segment, Ford has equipped the Puma to a high standard.

Our pick: 2022 Ford Puma (base)

While you get a lot for your money no matter which specification Ford Puma you select, the Drive team recommends the base-specification Ford Puma. It is a pricey entry-level car compared to some of its rivals’ ranges, though we think it offers everything you could want from a light SUV.

Its turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine produces a stocky 92kW/170Nm and – paired with the slick seven-speed dual-clutch automatic – punches above its on-paper outputs suggest.

You do feel nice inside the Puma because every model grade comes with satellite navigation, wireless phone charging, LED ambient interior lighting, DAB+ digital radio, rain-sensing wipers, and some nifty LED puddle lamps that display a puma cat.