Puma ST vs CX30 GT Sport tech
Discussion
A couple of months back I changed my mk7 Fiesta ST for an MX5 ND2 Sport tech 2.0. I'm absolutely loving the Mazda so far and to be honest I think it's all the car I'll ever want or need. I do still miss the old ST3 though as it was an excellent hot hatch.
So now I'm starting to look at a possible replacement for our family motor which is mainly the car my wife uses. It may not happen for a while yet as she tends to keep cars until they break and her current one still seems to be going strong. It's a Hyundai Ix20 1.4 with 75k miles and she bought it 8 years ago as an ex demo. It's fair to say it's been a great car for the two of us and our 8 year old son and it does everything we ask of it. But she has hinted that she would like something a bit more sporty and with a better image next time. She's not too bothered about performance but she does absolutely love a sunroof so it needs that. Decent level of kit would be nice too. It can't really be much bigger than the Ix20 either. I showed her a Tucson and it's just far too big.
Given that I drive it a lot of the time I would appreciate a bit more poke. The Hyundai has a measly 90bhp and whilst the engine is quite sweet and willing it can be hard work keeping pace with traffic on longer runs.
At the moment my top two choices are...
Puma ST
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024061608...
And the CX30
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024063012...
I like them both. The Puma has taken time to grow on me. I had a Puma coupe 1.7 years ago and was offended when they used the name for an SUV! But they're okay. I've sat in an ST and it felt nice. Reviews are decent and it might feel like a step forward from my old Fiesta. The Mazda obviously shares its engine with my MX5. I like to rev it out, but that's in a 2 seat sports car. I do wonder if it would suit a family car or if the lower torque would be a pain. That said, it's much more powerful than the Ix20 so perhaps not an issue. I do like the interior too.
Anyone got any real world experiences of using either of these as a family daily? Or any other not too large alternatives for around £20k? Must have a sunroof!
So now I'm starting to look at a possible replacement for our family motor which is mainly the car my wife uses. It may not happen for a while yet as she tends to keep cars until they break and her current one still seems to be going strong. It's a Hyundai Ix20 1.4 with 75k miles and she bought it 8 years ago as an ex demo. It's fair to say it's been a great car for the two of us and our 8 year old son and it does everything we ask of it. But she has hinted that she would like something a bit more sporty and with a better image next time. She's not too bothered about performance but she does absolutely love a sunroof so it needs that. Decent level of kit would be nice too. It can't really be much bigger than the Ix20 either. I showed her a Tucson and it's just far too big.
Given that I drive it a lot of the time I would appreciate a bit more poke. The Hyundai has a measly 90bhp and whilst the engine is quite sweet and willing it can be hard work keeping pace with traffic on longer runs.
At the moment my top two choices are...
Puma ST
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024061608...
And the CX30
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024063012...
I like them both. The Puma has taken time to grow on me. I had a Puma coupe 1.7 years ago and was offended when they used the name for an SUV! But they're okay. I've sat in an ST and it felt nice. Reviews are decent and it might feel like a step forward from my old Fiesta. The Mazda obviously shares its engine with my MX5. I like to rev it out, but that's in a 2 seat sports car. I do wonder if it would suit a family car or if the lower torque would be a pain. That said, it's much more powerful than the Ix20 so perhaps not an issue. I do like the interior too.
Anyone got any real world experiences of using either of these as a family daily? Or any other not too large alternatives for around £20k? Must have a sunroof!
‘Puma’…what are Ford doing with their branding…They look better than a Juke but has your wife specifically said she wants a car on stilts? If you like the Ford how about the latest Focus ST? Still plenty of hot hatches around on a lower platform which provides advantages for sportiness…
My mrs has a puma ST, we used it as our only family car for around 12 months, Boot is huge for the size of the vehicle (bigger than a focus st) especially handy with the box where a spare wheel sits in most cars. It is a huge amount of fun to drive as well! I would happily take it on a track day.
Niggles wise, front seats are way to hard on long journeys, we did a 5 hour trip down the west coast of France last year with our 2 kids, it did a brilliant job all bar sore arses. Parking should be a doddle but its not got great visibility with all the doors being really tall so its a bit of a pain moving the mirrors to make sure you don't catch a wheel or bollard.
only other this is the ride is pretty jiggly and the build quality a bit iffy but if you fancy one try and get an extended test drive and see if it works for you, I don't think anyone is really offering anything comparable in terms of pace/fun and size.
Niggles wise, front seats are way to hard on long journeys, we did a 5 hour trip down the west coast of France last year with our 2 kids, it did a brilliant job all bar sore arses. Parking should be a doddle but its not got great visibility with all the doors being really tall so its a bit of a pain moving the mirrors to make sure you don't catch a wheel or bollard.
only other this is the ride is pretty jiggly and the build quality a bit iffy but if you fancy one try and get an extended test drive and see if it works for you, I don't think anyone is really offering anything comparable in terms of pace/fun and size.
Be aware the Puma roofline really dips with a sunroof, very noticeable in the back especially, anyone 5'10+ will be touching the roof. It does, however, lift the drab dark interior, with a dark headlining, although there's a big "bar" between the front and rear glass which obscurs the pleasure of having it too. If you have kids age 0-7 who cares, if at any point you carry anyone with an opinion in the rear, it is not a great place to be.
I didn't believe the Mazda rear space was as s
t as all the reviews say it is.
I'm wrong, they're right, again it's dire. So similar comments apply. Aperture, seat, the lot, you'll end up in a CX5 in no time!
I didn't believe the Mazda rear space was as s
t as all the reviews say it is. I'm wrong, they're right, again it's dire. So similar comments apply. Aperture, seat, the lot, you'll end up in a CX5 in no time!
LightningBlue said:
‘Puma’…what are Ford doing with their branding…They look better than a Juke but has your wife specifically said she wants a car on stilts? If you like the Ford how about the latest Focus ST? Still plenty of hot hatches around on a lower platform which provides advantages for sportiness…
She would like something a bit taller than a regular hatch yes. Her current car is probably somewhere between a hatch and an SUV and is just about right. It's useful when giving aging parents lifts if they can just slide in easily. I find being higher up in a family car beneficial too. Mostly because 90% of cars seem to be tall SUVs and it's intimidating when they are inches from your back bumper, especially in something like my MX5.A hatch which isn't low might work. I did think about cars like the Kia Xceed and the Focus Active.
I like the Focus ST but may have trouble selling it to her on the image front. She didn't really drive my Fiesta.
boxxer7 said:
My mrs has a puma ST, we used it as our only family car for around 12 months, Boot is huge for the size of the vehicle (bigger than a focus st) especially handy with the box where a spare wheel sits in most cars. It is a huge amount of fun to drive as well! I would happily take it on a track day.
Niggles wise, front seats are way to hard on long journeys, we did a 5 hour trip down the west coast of France last year with our 2 kids, it did a brilliant job all bar sore arses. Parking should be a doddle but its not got great visibility with all the doors being really tall so its a bit of a pain moving the mirrors to make sure you don't catch a wheel or bollard.
only other this is the ride is pretty jiggly and the build quality a bit iffy but if you fancy one try and get an extended test drive and see if it works for you, I don't think anyone is really offering anything comparable in terms of pace/fun and size.
Thanks for that.Niggles wise, front seats are way to hard on long journeys, we did a 5 hour trip down the west coast of France last year with our 2 kids, it did a brilliant job all bar sore arses. Parking should be a doddle but its not got great visibility with all the doors being really tall so its a bit of a pain moving the mirrors to make sure you don't catch a wheel or bollard.
only other this is the ride is pretty jiggly and the build quality a bit iffy but if you fancy one try and get an extended test drive and see if it works for you, I don't think anyone is really offering anything comparable in terms of pace/fun and size.
I did wonder about the ride. I never did long distances in the Fiesta because that was jiggly. I guess it's the trade you get with sporty handling. Hadn't thought about the seats though. Did yours have the recaro seats or the later Ford ones?
macron said:
Be aware the Puma roofline really dips with a sunroof, very noticeable in the back especially, anyone 5'10+ will be touching the roof. It does, however, lift the drab dark interior, with a dark headlining, although there's a big "bar" between the front and rear glass which obscurs the pleasure of having it too. If you have kids age 0-7 who cares, if at any point you carry anyone with an opinion in the rear, it is not a great place to be.
I didn't believe the Mazda rear space was as st as all the reviews say it is.
I'm wrong, they're right, again it's dire. So similar comments apply. Aperture, seat, the lot, you'll end up in a CX5 in no time!
Opening panoramic roof is a deal breaker. It's the one item of kit she won't go without. We're all pretty short so it's fine.I didn't believe the Mazda rear space was as s
t as all the reviews say it is. I'm wrong, they're right, again it's dire. So similar comments apply. Aperture, seat, the lot, you'll end up in a CX5 in no time!
CX5 is similar to the Tucson which she says is too big.
ChrisH72 said:
Opening panoramic roof is a deal breaker. It's the one item of kit she won't go without. We're all pretty short so it's fine.
CX5 is similar to the Tucson which she says is too big.
All fair enough, if you have child seats I would still avoid the small Mazda, if not their value has plummeted and they are good VFM.CX5 is similar to the Tucson which she says is too big.
You mention the Focus Active X, it's genuinely 3cm higher than the non Active. Great theory, reality not so good. Also something where the value has nosedived, there are plenty of ST-Lines where the first owner (often a Ford employee!) specd the roof as well as HUD (standalone pre 2022 cars now, not!) I think they're really good VFM. Their finish though does lack compared to many others, paint scratches easily, seats despite being leather and heated are not supportive.
Wildcard if you want some height, either BMW 2 Active Tourer, 25k might get you the newer shape, hard to get one with a full spec- that might need 28-30 at the moment, and you'd think their values should tank as they're not that popular, but, there aren't many around so lots stay in the dealer network. Surprisingly good to drive, has the height but really doesn't feel it. Far more airy than the B class, not sure if you could get the pan roof with that though.
No chance of either BMW, Merc or Audi. She associates them with high maintenance costs rightly or wrongly. My old 3 series did manage to prove her right!
I think she'd go for another Hyundai if they made something suitable. I did notice you can get the latest Kona with the 1.6 from an i20N and a manual box. Still a bit on the big side and not really sporty to look at but I might investigate them.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024061407...
Or the Kia Xceed 4 seems to be reasonable value and might be a good compromise between hatch and SUV. She's never had a Kia but does quite like the brand.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024071217...
I don't mind that really.
I think she'd go for another Hyundai if they made something suitable. I did notice you can get the latest Kona with the 1.6 from an i20N and a manual box. Still a bit on the big side and not really sporty to look at but I might investigate them.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024061407...
Or the Kia Xceed 4 seems to be reasonable value and might be a good compromise between hatch and SUV. She's never had a Kia but does quite like the brand.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024071217...
I don't mind that really.
Yes, slightly odd looking. Better from the front but back and sides are weird. Most recent Hyundais and Kias look like they've been pre crashed!
I'll have a look into hatchbacks. Not many with an opening sunroof that I remember seeing. Perhaps something warm rather than outright hot so the ride and comfort don't suffer too much.
I'll have a look into hatchbacks. Not many with an opening sunroof that I remember seeing. Perhaps something warm rather than outright hot so the ride and comfort don't suffer too much.
ChrisH72 said:
No chance of either BMW, Merc or Audi. She associates them with high maintenance costs rightly or wrongly. My old 3 series did manage to prove her right!
I think she'd go for another Hyundai if they made something suitable. I did notice you can get the latest Kona with the 1.6 from an i20N and a manual box. Still a bit on the big side and not really sporty to look at but I might investigate them.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024061407...
Or the Kia Xceed 4 seems to be reasonable value and might be a good compromise between hatch and SUV. She's never had a Kia but does quite like the brand.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024071217...
I don't mind that really.
Why don't you look at the proper Kona N?I think she'd go for another Hyundai if they made something suitable. I did notice you can get the latest Kona with the 1.6 from an i20N and a manual box. Still a bit on the big side and not really sporty to look at but I might investigate them.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024061407...
Or the Kia Xceed 4 seems to be reasonable value and might be a good compromise between hatch and SUV. She's never had a Kia but does quite like the brand.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024071217...
I don't mind that really.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406120...
XCeed is probably my top choice at the moment. I knew that 4 spec came with sunroof as standard but nice to know you can have it on GT line S too. It's a nice big, one piece sunroof as well which is nice.
Other than that it has the kind of things she would like. A Kia with good warranty would appeal definitely. It's actually a bit longer than most small SUVs but doesn't look all that big. Good boot and rear space in the pics. And not bad on performance for when I'm driving on longer trips. Looks like a decent proposition to me.
Other than that it has the kind of things she would like. A Kia with good warranty would appeal definitely. It's actually a bit longer than most small SUVs but doesn't look all that big. Good boot and rear space in the pics. And not bad on performance for when I'm driving on longer trips. Looks like a decent proposition to me.
Lease1232 said:
Volvo XC40?
I haven't looked at them.Seems a bit bigger but not quite as big as Tucson size. A little more expensive than others but they do look quite nice. I'd go for a fairly basic spec 1.5 with manual box I think. Like this maybe.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024062711...
They seem pretty spacious.
We were going to buy this ( puma st ) apx a year ago , I needed a new car so I decided my wife would have this & id have her mk7 fiesta st , but as normal after driving it she preferred her fiesta st as in her words it’s much more fun , the puma was far to good for me due to the miles I do .
I’m a bit shocked at the prices of them new now as this one was £27000 , they seem to be £30,000+ now .
We’ve also tried a vw tiquian r , which was fast but just did nothing for either us .
It’s no good to you but my wife went out in her friends mint mk2 focus rs in green , she absolutely loved it , that will be her next car .
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