Puma or Focus?
Discussion
Dull subject alert!
Wifes car is due to be swapped - currently in a 69 plate Focus - titanium, 1ltr 125bhp.
We can swap out at no cost to either the updated MHEV Focus, titanium, 1ltr 125 bhp
or
Puma ST-line Mhev 1 ltr 125bhp.
Probably not much to choose between them? I quite like the way the Puma ST looks, been more than happy with the Focus though.
Any experience / comments?
eta: ST-Line not ST
Wifes car is due to be swapped - currently in a 69 plate Focus - titanium, 1ltr 125bhp.
We can swap out at no cost to either the updated MHEV Focus, titanium, 1ltr 125 bhp
or
Puma ST-line Mhev 1 ltr 125bhp.
Probably not much to choose between them? I quite like the way the Puma ST looks, been more than happy with the Focus though.
Any experience / comments?
eta: ST-Line not ST
Edited by Dan_1981 on Friday 15th October 14:29
We had a rental Puma when my partner's Mazda 3 was being fixed - it was tiny on the inside given the footprint of it, the gearstick was oddly low as well so driving it felt strange as you reached down for it - possibly cured if you go auto. Driving it was fine though, nothing to write home about but it turned on and moved.
TommoAE86 said:
We had a rental Puma when my partner's Mazda 3 was being fixed - it was tiny on the inside given the footprint of it, the gearstick was oddly low as well so driving it felt strange as you reached down for it - possibly cured if you go auto. Driving it was fine though, nothing to write home about but it turned on and moved.
If you like the look of the Puma and fancy a change, then that's important, also Ford are good at thoughtful little design touches, you may find the Puma has a few nice Easter Eggs. But objectively, although I can't be bothered to look it up, the Puma is likely to be slower and heavier while not actually having any more useable space, or more likely less space than the focus. Depends on your priorities.
Edit: Yes, it's 60kg or 5% heavier
There's little point in swapping a nearly new car for an effectively identical brand new version.
I assume the Focus is on a lease or PCP which is about to finish rather than the car being owned outright. If keeping the existing car isn't an option, I'd at least get something different for a change.
The Puma looks like a bit of an anti-tardis to me though, and given the choice between it and a Focus my choice would be the Focus. However as you've already got one of those, why not look at a different manufacturer for a change rather than buying the same car again in a slightly different shade of metallic grey?
There's plenty of choice of cars about that size available, many of which are equally as good or better in some respect than a Focus. At PCP / lease rates rather than outright cash price, the 'premium' brands may not even be more expensive - which is why there are so many A3s and A classes and Minis driving around, so you could consider one of those, possibly something electric or something a bit left field like the Mazda 3.
I assume the Focus is on a lease or PCP which is about to finish rather than the car being owned outright. If keeping the existing car isn't an option, I'd at least get something different for a change.
The Puma looks like a bit of an anti-tardis to me though, and given the choice between it and a Focus my choice would be the Focus. However as you've already got one of those, why not look at a different manufacturer for a change rather than buying the same car again in a slightly different shade of metallic grey?
There's plenty of choice of cars about that size available, many of which are equally as good or better in some respect than a Focus. At PCP / lease rates rather than outright cash price, the 'premium' brands may not even be more expensive - which is why there are so many A3s and A classes and Minis driving around, so you could consider one of those, possibly something electric or something a bit left field like the Mazda 3.
SkodaIan said:
There's little point in swapping a nearly new car for an effectively identical brand new version.
I assume the Focus is on a lease or PCP which is about to finish rather than the car being owned outright. If keeping the existing car isn't an option, I'd at least get something different for a change.
The Puma looks like a bit of an anti-tardis to me though, and given the choice between it and a Focus my choice would be the Focus. However as you've already got one of those, why not look at a different manufacturer for a change rather than buying the same car again in a slightly different shade of metallic grey?
There's plenty of choice of cars about that size available, many of which are equally as good or better in some respect than a Focus. At PCP / lease rates rather than outright cash price, the 'premium' brands may not even be more expensive - which is why there are so many A3s and A classes and Minis driving around, so you could consider one of those, possibly something electric or something a bit left field like the Mazda 3.
Agree on all of the above... I assume the Focus is on a lease or PCP which is about to finish rather than the car being owned outright. If keeping the existing car isn't an option, I'd at least get something different for a change.
The Puma looks like a bit of an anti-tardis to me though, and given the choice between it and a Focus my choice would be the Focus. However as you've already got one of those, why not look at a different manufacturer for a change rather than buying the same car again in a slightly different shade of metallic grey?
There's plenty of choice of cars about that size available, many of which are equally as good or better in some respect than a Focus. At PCP / lease rates rather than outright cash price, the 'premium' brands may not even be more expensive - which is why there are so many A3s and A classes and Minis driving around, so you could consider one of those, possibly something electric or something a bit left field like the Mazda 3.
Unfortunately I get a discount on Ford so she's stuck in a ford

Current car is on a three year lease - will need a service in the new year at £180 or whatever it is.
Quote to swap, actually reduced our outgoings by a couple of quid per month with no deposit required.
The Focus rides much better and has more rounded dynamics. The Puma feels more sporty but at the expense of the ride.
The Focus has more interior space and has a slightly higher perceived quality.
The mHEV aspect is an excellent improvement to performance, driveability and fuel economy, on either version.
If you can stretch consider the 155PS mHEV Focus.
The Focus has more interior space and has a slightly higher perceived quality.
The mHEV aspect is an excellent improvement to performance, driveability and fuel economy, on either version.
If you can stretch consider the 155PS mHEV Focus.
I have a 155 Focus ST X-line estate, the wife drives the same spec Puma, again with the 155hp engine. Both are ex Ford cars so have pretty much every option ticked. Both are 70 plate.
The Puma is obviously the much smaller car and can feel cramped. Boot space is surprisingly good though. Interior design wise it’s pretty much a two thirds copy of the Focus and built to the same quality ie cheap but functional, all the switch gear is identical. Oddly the Puma has much better ambient lighting than the Focus so feels a bit more special at night.
Driving, the Puma edges it being smaller and more chuckable, the payback being a firmer ride especially since the wife’s runs on the optional 19”s. The engine suits the Puma better, I feel that it really struggles in the Focus and lacks the instant pull found in the Puma. Both have similar levels of refinement on the motorway, only the cylinder deactivation lets my Focus down, it’s bloody horrible and feels like an out of balance wheel when it kicks in.
The Puma is obviously the much smaller car and can feel cramped. Boot space is surprisingly good though. Interior design wise it’s pretty much a two thirds copy of the Focus and built to the same quality ie cheap but functional, all the switch gear is identical. Oddly the Puma has much better ambient lighting than the Focus so feels a bit more special at night.
Driving, the Puma edges it being smaller and more chuckable, the payback being a firmer ride especially since the wife’s runs on the optional 19”s. The engine suits the Puma better, I feel that it really struggles in the Focus and lacks the instant pull found in the Puma. Both have similar levels of refinement on the motorway, only the cylinder deactivation lets my Focus down, it’s bloody horrible and feels like an out of balance wheel when it kicks in.
Out of the two I'd probably choose the Puma.
I wasn't a fan when they first came out and having owned a Puma coupe I thought a small SUV was a bit of an insult to the name. But actually the shape has grown on me over the last couple of years. I know that there's a lot of hate on PH for any SUV but I think it's more interesting than the new focus which to me is just bland. On paper the Puma has way more boot space at 456L compared to the Focus at 341L. And although it's fair to say that a standard hatch may drive better the Puma seems to have a good reputation in that department. And ultimately they are both 1.0 hatches so neither will set the world alight performance wise.
If you've had a Focus and fancy a bit of a change then why not get a Puma.
I wasn't a fan when they first came out and having owned a Puma coupe I thought a small SUV was a bit of an insult to the name. But actually the shape has grown on me over the last couple of years. I know that there's a lot of hate on PH for any SUV but I think it's more interesting than the new focus which to me is just bland. On paper the Puma has way more boot space at 456L compared to the Focus at 341L. And although it's fair to say that a standard hatch may drive better the Puma seems to have a good reputation in that department. And ultimately they are both 1.0 hatches so neither will set the world alight performance wise.
If you've had a Focus and fancy a bit of a change then why not get a Puma.
I think buying/owning/driving any ford lacks any credibility. Possibly the worst brand of car on the road now or at any time in the past. Quite why people get excited over them, I've never understood. I've driven the wifes old one (focus) and absolutely hated it. I made sure I had glasses and a hat on so I wasnt seen in it. When she collected me from the pub, I laid down in the back.
Show some intelligence and buy a german car. Better built, better styling and above all, street cred.
You dont see company directors leaving a ford in the car park at HQ for a reason.
Show some intelligence and buy a german car. Better built, better styling and above all, street cred.
You dont see company directors leaving a ford in the car park at HQ for a reason.
Krikkit said:
Buy the Focus, don't fall into the sheeple trap of buying a soft-roader rubbish thing.
It's not a trap, it's a different choice for different preferences. I prefer a soft roader but I can see why someone would prefer a conventional hatchback. As ever, different people etc... nickfrog said:
It's based on a Fiesta and 20cm shorter than the Focus so that explains why it feels smaller. But if feels bigger inside than a Fiesta, unsurprisingly.
My comment wasn’t a comparison to the 3, it was more a comment that it looked big on the outside then tiny inside - the boot felt small as well - amazing it’s listed with 400L+ above. We were glad to get the 3 back as it’s a vastly superior car - just our opinion but we’re really happy with that car. austina35 said:
I think buying/owning/driving any ford lacks any credibility. Possibly the worst brand of car on the road now or at any time in the past. Quite why people get excited over them, I've never understood. I've driven the wifes old one (focus) and absolutely hated it. I made sure I had glasses and a hat on so I wasnt seen in it. When she collected me from the pub, I laid down in the back.
Show some intelligence and buy a german car. Better built, better styling and above all, street cred.
You dont see company directors leaving a ford in the car park at HQ for a reason.
What an absolute load of rubbish but good luck to you with that opinion, the Focus is rated (especially the old one) as a good drivers car, so surprised you hated.Show some intelligence and buy a german car. Better built, better styling and above all, street cred.
You dont see company directors leaving a ford in the car park at HQ for a reason.
Also what German would you be buying that's better than the Focus/Puma for the same money?
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