Ford Puma ST MHEV First Drive Review | Does It Live Up To The Fiesta ST?

[@dominicrusho]

1.5 manual ST now discontinued (as of yesterday). This is now the only Puma ST option left. Sad to see these kinds of cars slowly disappearing….

[@BuckleUpShow]

Yes I saw that, very sad indeed

[@bandybushido]

I can absolutely agree with the man, after purchasing my 1.0T ecoboost hybrid 3 months ago from a lovely garage in Shropshire, my destination South Wales with a route taking me over the Brecon beacons. I couldn't get the stupid grin off my face the whole 2.5 hours it took to get back home, still love getting into it everyday for the work commute or any chance at all to drive it really. Ford have really made a great product here.

[@BuckleUpShow]

We also agree with the man

[@wmpiast]

I've already got ONE from a dealer in PL, it's amazing how it drives. Perfect for me, lovely seats, great performance. I love to use it every day and there's always a huge smile on my face. I changed from fiesta active 125PS and it's totaly new experience - i feel like to ride a fast gokart now. :)

[@stuartjobling9360]

So true im very happy with my 2020 Ford Puma Titanium in manual, love it

[@KanePayton]

I just grabbed one of the last 1.5 STs in 6 speed manual, 24 plate, its an absolute dream

[@BuckleUpShow]

Lucky you

[@pedrosalas4460]

I have a ST with 1.5 engine and its amazing car. Drives like a gokart I like it very much

[@BuckleUpShow]

It’s great fun! Thanks for watching!

[@andrewmaple9863]

Great video I've had the manual puma st amazing car .I'm going to get this auto next as I have a bad leg so glad you like it

[@BuckleUpShow]

I was definitely surprised how good it is! Thanks for watching!

[@andrewmaple9863]

@BuckleUpShow did you notice if the hybrid side of things I.e rejen braking ?and did it mess up driving fast ?

[@BuckleUpShow]

Not at all, felt completely natural. If you get chance, test drive one. It’s great fun!

[@nickpeacock9300]

I’ll be honest I was very sceptical about this car, and was also baffled why Ford dropped the 1.5, but then I drove it and was hugely impressed. First things first, the elephant in the room, it loses 30 BHP and around 50 lb/ft of torque to the 1.5, so yes it’s slower. I’ve never actually driven the 1.5 Puma, but I’ve run 2 Fiesta STs both with the 1.5 a Mk. 8 and an 8.5 so I have a pretty good idea what the Puma 1.5 performs like, and the thing about the 1.5 is it’s a great engine transmission combination, but it’s ON all of the time, which is fine if that’s what you want, and of course you can drive it sedately when the road conditions (and average speed cameras) dictate, but it always feels like it wants you to open the taps (like having a little ST branded demon on your shoulder). The difference with the powershift ST is that in normal mode you can drive it at ordinary road speeds and it’s quiet and refined, but when you get to that rare, deserted, speed camera free stretch of road you can put it in sport mode and the hooligan is back, the transmission shifts much more aggressively, or you can put it in manual mode and use the paddles. Sure it’s not as fast as the 1.5 but it really isn’t slow, and it has all of the poise and handling ability of it’s more powerful sibling. It is in short a fantastic all rounder.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Have you ever thought about becoming a motoring journalist?

[@nickpeacock9300]

That would indeed be the dream 😂

[@micklawrence2630]

Totally agree ….. had Fiesta STs and Focus STs ……. Love a good Ford !…… just got one of these, all I can say to people is give one a test drive ….. Brilliant car 👍🏼

[@stevemo3318]

Does it have ambient lighting and now you have had it for a good few months are there any niggles you don’t like?

[@nickpeacock9300]

@@stevemo3318 It has ambient lighting in the foot wells, cup holders and door pockets. Only issues I’ve had, (and this is being really pedantic) there is a very slight delay between selecting reverse and it actually engaging, so that if you are manoeuvring whilst facing downhill and you take your foot off the brake, it can very briefly roll forwards. Also when getting into the car I have on a few occasions banged my left knee on the corner of the dash, but that’s probably as much to do with my physiology as the design of the car.

[@andyholmes6380]

Picking mine up Friday. 1st ever automatic ......fingers crossed!

[@BuckleUpShow]

It's good fun

[@robertabblebaum7813]

I don't know why this isn't sold in the US. I know Ford doesn't sell cars in US anymore, but this is the kind of the in between slot like you said, they could market it as a crossover and I still think it would do good!

[@BuckleUpShow]

It’s an excellent little car

[@nickstarkey4169]

Picking my Puma ST MHEV next week, got a ridiculously good deal on their 0% PCP, can't wait :)

[@BuckleUpShow]

You won’t be disappointed

[@toe102]

whats the exhaust sound like ??

[@nickstarkey4169]

@@toe102 Put it in sports mode and it’s a little throaty and crackly, just not as much as the manual I’d say

[@toe102]

@@nickstarkey4169thanks :) thinking of getting one but trying to get one to test drive is a nightmare happy driving

[@gecila1]

It's not ''My'' if it's on PCP. It's your brokers/dealers until you pay it off or give it back. You're just the tenant.

[@k8vnl]

Stick with my full fat 1.5 version.

[@BuckleUpShow]

I would also get the 1.5 for the manual gearbox, but that 1.0 MHEV is pretty darn good

[@kevinmills5293]

Same here. The difference between my old 155hp 1L mild hybrid ST Line Puma and the 1.5L ST that I have now is night and day. The 1L even with MH assistance is way down on torque compared with the 1.5L engine.

[@claudiadavies5110]

I liked even the base model as a loan car and I was confused about whether it was a crossover or a hatchback because of the seating position, I'll definitely stick with my i20N but these are pretty surprising 😊

[@BuckleUpShow]

It's roofline is only 2.4 cm higher than the Fiesta, it's a crossover in name only

[@claudiadavies5110]

@@BuckleUpShow wow that's why it feels better 😊

[@johnwhite2143]

Lovely car, ashame they have stopped the 1.5t puma st but times are changing and engines are getting smaller with added hybrid tech, id happily have one of these great looking car and shifts as well, i quite like the sound inside too, looks and sounds fun an colour amazing too, and auto too, i like manual or auto doesn't bother me what one, for me looks of a car outside and inside matter more than anything else 👌👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@BuckleUpShow]

It’s a cracking little car

[@johnwhite2143]

@@BuckleUpShow I think it would look amazing in the colour fantastic red 👌👍

[@volt8684]

I believe they’ve changed the wet belt for cam chain now so no horror bills?

[@BuckleUpShow]

Wouldn’t stop me smiling

[@NB_NB_NB]

It's easy to discount the engine as just a 1 litre, the electric motor must add a good bit of torque and BHP too.

[@BuckleUpShow]

It does, but not as much as the 1.5 ST used to have

[@forresg500]

Remember and change cambelt around 4 years Check oil pick up pipe Save getting ecoboom welt belt issue

[@BuckleUpShow]

Thanks for being the 42nd person to say this

[@michaelc6325]

Cam belt is a chain it doesn’t need replacing. It’s been a chain on the puma since launch.

[@MalcolmKerr1963]

I have a 2023 ST 1.5 with mechanical limited slip differential 197 BHP What are Ford thinking a massive backward step I’m a Ford customer of 38 years and owned a 1993 escort cosworth from new and I’m dumbfounded they are abandoning their sporting roots not to mention stopping manufacturing the fiesta only time will tell

[@BuckleUpShow]

Have you driven it? Might want to do that before jumping to any conclusions…

[@MalcolmKerr1963]

I have and it’s no where near the 1.5 with mechanical not electronic differential

[@stevemo3318]

Does it have ambient lighting? And any wind noise

[@BuckleUpShow]

No idea, and don’t notice any over the engine noise

[@d.e.2338]

The color is awesome but I'll keep my 1.5. 😅

[@BuckleUpShow]

Indeed it is

[@robwilson7189]

Never judge a book by its cover 😅

[@BuckleUpShow]

It sure looked like fun!

[@Rnaudts]

i have the 1.5 in my focus vignale with the mountune m200 i also drove the 1.0 multiple times and i gotta say the 1.5 is MUCH better in every aspect i would never pick the 1.0 above the 1.5 the 1.0 is just not good

[@BuckleUpShow]

Well bad luck because you can’t get the 1.5 anymore

[@Rnaudts]

@@BuckleUpShow i know 🤷‍♂️ better go used then

[@thepie4052]

It’s 3 cylinder, they all have a warble so sound could be genuine.😂

[@BuckleUpShow]

Yeah but it was even louder than the sound actuator in my old up! GTI, so it must have something pumped through the speakers

[@andrewkennan2897]

Never realised there 1.0 was also a st it’s a 1.5

[@BuckleUpShow]

It's new, they're still doing the 1.5 as the top rung ST model

[@E63s_Scott]

WTAF a 1.0 hybrid ST puma now just like my GFs 1.0 125hp one? And 170hp that’s sooo slow she’d keep up with her 125 with ease 😅 that doesn’t deserve a ST badge massive let down from Ford. Going 1.5 3cyl was bad enough yeah it’s good for a 3cyl but the previous 1.6 4cyl is much better gone are the days of the brilliant 2.5 5pot I loved in my focus may years ago.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Apart from the fact it’s much faster than your partners car in every single way

[@E63s_Scott]

@@BuckleUpShow come on mate you can’t be serious! 45hp and bit extra torque way faster ? You’ve got to be joking. You sound so salty why would anyone choose to buy a performance inspired 1.0l??? Genuinely not lying she’s a good driver and could easily keep up with her whooping 45hp less 🙄 I love fords buy the new school owners defending a 1.0l don’t deserve a ST badge may as well go full souless EV because your nearly there

[@BuckleUpShow]

Oh I’m absolutely serious, and just so you know, I’m not an owner, I’m a journalist who objectively reviews cars. Are you seriously suggesting that the 1.5 Fiesta ST that went off sale last year is somehow no good because of its 1.5 engine? If so, I honestly don’t think you know what you’re talking about. Your partners Fiesta does 0-60 over two seconds slower than the Puma ST. I’d say that’s ‘way faster’. With the greatest of respect, driving abilities don’t factor into this discussion. I’m 100% confident than your partner would be much faster driving the Puma, than her current Fiesta. On the EV front, you’re really starting to show your colours here. It’s clear that you’ve formed an opinion without experiencing the latest of what’s out there. I’m thinking the Ioniq 5N, for example. I’m sure your partners Fiesta is lovely, but the facts are the facts. Have a good day.

[@E63s_Scott]

@@BuckleUpShow Jesus you really are a wet wipe. And since you’re an analytical journalist you like facts and figures? Please tell me where I mentioned fiesta? I said my GFs one which means pumas. She has the 1.0 125hp PUMA so the now ST PUMA is rocking the same engine is ONLY 45hp more. Some comparing puma to puma really mate you genuinely delusional if you think that’s way quicker I can’t even believe your arguing 🤣 wow massive 2 seconds, in ideal conditions that could be fluffed by the 1-2 gear change or traction. My point still stands. It doesn’t deserve an ST badge. And 30k+ for a 1.0L 🤣

[@BuckleUpShow]

I think I’m right in saying your original point was that your partners Puma (apologies) would be as fast as the new ST. That’s categorically incorrect as the 125 Puma is even slower than the Fiesta due to the extra weight. So, your point doesn’t stand I’m afraid. If you can’t understand that 2 seconds is a huge amount of time when comparing 0-60s then your knowledge is even more limited than you’ve shown so far. Gear changes are automatic in the ST so they are much quicker than the manual. Traction is vastly better due to superior tyres and chassis set up on the ST too. You can carry this on all you want, but you’re just digging a bigger and bigger whole for yourself 😊 Btw, I wouldn’t be pulling anyone up on facts and figures if my grammar and spelling was as poor as yours has been so far.

[@yytahh2317]

Nice car

[@BuckleUpShow]

Nice comment

[@DaleSteel]

It looks like the crazy frog

[@BuckleUpShow]

I think it looks pretty good for a crossover, but definitely not as elegant as the Puma from the 90’s

[@grandprix1337]

Ford scrapped - the significantly better - 1.5 ST for this vehicle purely for political reasons. The Government fines for manufacturing non EV/hybrid dictated it. This model hardly sold in any numbers, when the 1.5 ST was in production.

[@BuckleUpShow]

Other manufacturers have managed. This is on Ford for not investing in its car arm of the business. It’s basically a commercial company at this point.

[@stevenwilkins3687]

I’ll be honest, it doesn’t deserve the ST badge. Even being hybrid, it’s too slow and lacks power. I’m a Ford Fanboy, have been since the early 90’s but this is garbage.

[@BuckleUpShow]

I’ll have to respectfully disagree, Steven. It’s faster than the Fiesta ST was to 60 and it feels faster too. It’s only an inch taller and you sit low down in the car, so it doesn’t even feel like a crossover from behind the wheel. I was not expecting to like it, but I was very wrong. It definitely deserves the ST badge in my opinion.

[@mark-1rc502]

To think ford had Mk6 fiesta ST with 2.0 litre engine 150bhp 😮

[@BuckleUpShow]

Times have changed, bringing smaller capacity, turbocharged engines with mild hybrid assistance. This is more powerful and more punchy than the 2.0 in the Mk6 ST was, plus that instant delivery of torque you get from the mild-hybrid system is great!

[@karllelliott681]

@@BuckleUpShow Fiesta ST MK8 0-60 is quoted at 6.3 to 6.7 seconds. The 1.0 Puma MHEV is quoted at around 7.7 seconds from what I have seen so I am not sure about this statement at all. It is also a little bit heavier too (than the MK8 FiST) And that price is scandalous, even in todays hysterical car climate! That colour is Azura blue as well which I believe they made available as a special colour for this model (like they did on the MK8 FiST Edition - with black roof and mirrors).

[@antj29]

Wet cambelt,,,,,,,,, nothing more to say

[@BuckleUpShow]

Well it increases engine efficiency, reduces footprint and provided the correct oil is used come service time it will outlive a dry belt counterpart. It does mean that when it does come time to change it it's a right pain but that usually doesn't fall on the first owner (the person actually giving Ford their money) so the manufacturer is unlikely to care

[@sbrader97]

Actually it's timing chain now since 2020 but yeah wet oil pump belt still

[@lvhle04]

​@@sbrader97 hes talkin facts!!

[@nickpeacock9300]

@@sbrader97Yes you’re right, and the 1.5 also has a wet oil pump drive belt.