Ford Puma review

Prices start from £25,800, which gets you an entry-level Puma in Titanium trim with the peppy 1.0-litre 123bhp mild hybrid engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, or £27,600 if you want the seven-speed auto gearbox.

The more powerful version of the same engine, outputting 155bhp, starts from £28,350 and you can only have it with an automatic gearbox. The full fat ST, which got a 1.5-litre turbo petrol producing 197bhp and a six-speed manual, is now gone. Sad times. You can still get a 'Puma ST' but it's still a 1.0-litre mild hybrid and only gets a mite more power (168bhp). It also has an auto 'box, takes 7.4 secs to get to 62mph and starts from £33,050. Not worth the money.

Helping keep things nice and simple, your engine choices remain the same no matter which trim level you go for (ST aside). Oh, and those kit choices come in three flavours: Titanium, ST-Line and ST-Line X. 

It is a couple of grand more expensive than its major rivals, including the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur, Seat Arona, and VW T-Cross (among others), but it’s easily the best to drive, which, this being TopGear.com, matters.

What's the difference between trims?

Base spec Titanium gets 17in alloys, LED lights, Ford's impressive Quickclear heated windscreen and door mirrors, keyless start, all of the available driver assist systems (good for insurance), a rear parking camera, cruise control and wireless phone mirroring for its 12in touchscreen. 

The biggest difference between Titanium and ST-Line trim is that where Titanium trim has black plastic arch extensions, the ST-Line's outfit is entirely body colour. It also adds sport (firmer) suspension and a touch more style (in and out).

ST-Line X meanwhile adds 18in alloys, wireless phone charging, keyless entry and a powered tailgate.

What's the best spec?

We reckon peak Puma is now the ST-Line with the 123bhp engine and the ace manual gearbox, which starts at just shy of £27k. Makes a mockery of all these expensive electric SUVs, really.

Warranty is 60,000 miles and three years.