Fetching Ford Puma pricing and specification locked in for Aus

Ford Australia have detailed pricing and specification of the European developed Puma small SUV which is due to arrive in the second half of 2020.

Pricing is pretty sharp, starting at $29,990 (driveaway pricing TBA) for the Puma, climbing to $35,540 (driveaway pricing TBA) for the range-topping ST-Line V.

The Puma boasts a distinctive appearance, though it has become the norm for small SUVs with the Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona and Toyota C-HR all offering plenty of funk.

It’s Ford’s famously competent dynamics and quality feel – which we appreciated in the latest generation Focus – that will have to set the Puma apart from its peers.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good looking vehicle with deliberately penned lines. While in photos it’s a great looking SUV from most angles we will reserve judgement on that front end until we see the Puma in the flesh.

Initially, there will be a single one-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with outputs of 92kW and 170Nm under the bonnet of all Aussie Pumas. Interestingly, we do without the more powerful 115kW/240Nm motor available in Europe which is a bit of a shame.

Power will be transferred to the front wheels via a seven-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

As you expect from Ford, the interior is a fairly no-nonsense affair, the standard 8-inch touchscreen –12.3-inch for the ST-Line models – sits atop a sensibly laid out centre stack.

On the $29,990 (driveaway pricing TBA) entry-level Puma expect to find wireless smartphone charging, 180-degree reverse camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, carbon trim inserts, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the all-new FordPass connectivity system.

Safety equipment is decent across the Puma range with high-speed AEB with pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist and lane departure warning.

An additional – and oddly named – parking pack is available for $1,500 on all Puma models which sees the inclusion of front parking sensing, active park assist with side sensors and adaptive cruise with stop and go.

Interestingly, Ford’s ‘parking pack’ adds an identical $1,500 to Mazda’s vision package – with essentially the same tech – that is now standard across most Mazda vehicles.

Moving up to the sportier and $32,340 (driveaway pricing TBA) Puma ST-Line nets a set of five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, with a sportier body kit and bumpers adorning the exterior and a firmer suspension tune to bolster the athletic intentions.

Inside the ST-Line’s touchscreen swells to 12.3-inches, the seats get red stitching, while the flat-bottom steering wheel gets paddles shifters and ‘race-red’ stitching.

The most premium $35,540 (driveaway pricing TBA) ST-Line V moves up to 18-inch alloy wheels, a chrome grille and fog-light bezels, privacy glass, a premium B&O stereo, keyless entry and power operated boot.

Additional customisation can be had on all Pumas, with a contrast black roof ($500), premium paint ($650) and $2,000 panoramic all optional.

Ford has priced the Puma more sharply than we anticipated for the Australian market, though it’s a shame that the parking package isn’t included as standard.