706 Ford Puma cars for sale

Used Ford Puma for sale: everything you need to know

The Ford Puma regularly tops the UK best-sellers list, taking over from Ford’s own Fiesta and Focus, which used to trade that position. The decline in popularity of those two models has had something to do with the Puma’s ascension, but the fashionable compact crossover body has a lot to do with it too.

As does the way the Puma drives - it’s easily one of the most fun cars in this class, handling much like a taller Fiesta. The extra height brings with it a little more interior space, so it’s practical too. To top it all, the car’s enormous popularity means used Pumas are very easy to find - so you can afford to be choosy.

Should you buy a Ford Puma?

You shouldn’t have to think too hard about buying a Puma, as it’s one of the best cars in its class. It has all the qualities of the Fiesta wrapped up in a more practical, more in-vogue body style, and the modest difference in monthly payments means that new-car buyers have flocked to it - resulting in plenty for sale on the used market now too.

From its engines to the way it drives and the way the interior operates, the Puma is very similar to the Fiesta. The taller roofline gives passengers more room, but there’s a bigger boot too - at 456 litres, it’s not just comfortably more practical than the supermini, but has more space than the larger Focus hatchback as well, while a clever ‘Megabox’ hidden under the boot floor gives you a waterproof compartment for storing wet and muddy stuff.

The interior design isn’t much to look at but it’s well-built and easy to use, and later models get details like a fully digital instrument cluster and Ford’s latest infotainment software. Equipment levels are pretty good across the board, but one of the Puma’s real highlights is how it drives - the ride can be a little firm, particularly on larger wheels, but it’s agile and fun to drive, with sharp steering and eager engines. It’s pretty frugal too, even the hot Puma ST.

That ST has no real rivals right now, but the Hyundai Kona N, offered for only a few years, is another hot crossover that’s worth a look. The regular Kona is an option against the less sporty Pumas too, one of numerous rivals - the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Vauxhall Mokka, Toyota Yaris Cross, Jeep Avenger and more - in this very busy class.

What’s the best used Ford Puma model to buy?

The Puma range is relatively simple, and this is great news for used buyers. Standing alone is the Puma ST, which is more like a hot hatchback than a small crossover, and while it demands a few compromises in terms of comfort to the regular Puma, it’s also just about the only car of its type in this class, so if you want a bit of pep then it should be on your shortlist. Elsewhere, the regular 1-litre Ecoboost engines are fun and frugal, while Titanium trim is the choice if you want the best ride quality, thanks to its smaller wheels and taller tyre sidewalls.