Say hello to…
…the Puma ST now available with a more fleet-friendly engine and an automatic gearbox. Power now comes from a 1.0-litre petrol engine with a mild hybrid system producing 170hp, rather than the 1.5-litre car’s 200hp. The up-side for business drivers is that the CO2 figure has dropped to 136g/km down from 148g/km, taking it down to a 32% benefit-in-kind tax band from 34%.
The lower power also impacts performance, with the 0-60mph time now at 7.4 seconds, rather than 6.7 seconds.
Standard equipment on the ST includes 19-inch alloy wheels, tyre inflation kit, heated seats, heated steering wheel, premium sound system, 8-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, 2x USB ports, full digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging and rear privacy glass.
Is The Ford Puma ST Suitable For My Fleet
All versions of the Puma are eminently practical and sensible, even the ‘hot’ ST version. As a supermini-sized SUV, the Puma has enough room for kids in the back seats, but it’s the boot that’s most impressive. Not only can it be easily washed out, but in volume it’s a huge 456 litres.
While the new 1.0-litre ST is more efficient than the 1.5-litre version, it’s still far worse for BIK taxation than any EV which would sit in the 2% band.
Leasing A Ford Puma ST
Intelligent Car Leasing is offering the Ford Puma ST mild hybrid on a 3+36 lease for £438 a month with 10,000 miles a year. Gensen Reports predicts reasonable monthly maintenance costs of £37 a month, but due to the high BIK band Class 1A NIC payments are £98 a month.
Driving A Ford Puma ST
Ford’s ST badge carries a host of specific brand values. Almost without fault, the ST cars are fun, quick and overall more sporty than the models on which they’re based.
The latest, more efficient, ST is most definitely sportier and more fun than the regular Puma hybrid. From the first moment it’s clear the suspension is much firmer and the steering more engaging. If you’re looking for a relaxing ride it’s not here. In everyday conditions the ride is jiggly. However, what’s lost in comfort is more than made up for as soon as you’re on a twisty road or even just a roundabout.
Normally automatic gearboxes take away fun from a car with the driver feeling less involved. Impressively, the automatic gearbox in the Puma matches doesn’t really detract from the fun.
However, like the firm ride, at lower speeds and when parking, the gearbox can hesitate and be less than smooth.
Where Ford has diluted the ST’s brand values is with the performance. While on paper 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds sounds good enough to qualify for (at least) warm-hatch status, in a world of instant shove EVs, the 1.0-litre Puma ST just doesn’t feel that quick. That’s not to say it feels slow, it’s just doesn’t have the urgency you’d expect from an ST. But perhaps this is a good thing in a world of rising insurance costs.
At FleetandLeasing.com, we love the Puma and the new more efficient ST is useful addition to the range for those that need an auto gearbox or can’t quite stretch to the full-fat 1.5 ST.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Ford Puma ST
Brilliantly fun Puma ST now with an auto gearbox and lower CO2.
Ford Puma ST
- Model: Puma ST MHEV auto
- Power: 170hp
- Torque: 248Nm
- Max speed: 130mph
- 0-62mph: 7.4 seconds
- Official fuel figure: 44.8mpg
- Test fuel figure: 33.9mpg
- CO2 emissions: 136g/km
- BIK tax band 2023/24: 32%
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