Ford Puma ST-line Ecoboost Hybrid – long-term review

I passed both my motorcylcle test and car test in the middle of winter, on roads covered in snow and ice. At the time, I will happily admit it felt like the worst possible situation in which to hone my riding and driving skills; in retrospect, it was probably the best possible training for icy roads.

Through the first few months of this year, we were on the receiving end of much the same kind of weather... and it proved to be the perfect opportunity to test out the Puma’s prowess on icy/snowy country roads. Also, an ideal moment to see just how effective the heated front and rear screens are in inclement conditions; whether they are indeed worth the extra money.

Heated screens first: one word – excellent. Switch them on, walk around to the passenger side to get the ice scraper, and within that time, the magic has already begun to happen. Huge slabs of snow soon begin to slide down the front and rear screens, all that is necessary is to add a little extra persuasion and then the remainder falls off with minimal effort. Top marks, Ford, superb work. Heated screens = 100 per cent recommended.

Heated seats second: one word – excellent. No need to wait for engine warmth to percolate through the cabin, just whack on the bum warmers and instant, glorious heat is directed straight at you. In fact, it’s got to the stage where I rarely have the traditional heating on, preferring to rely on the direct heat of the seat warmers. Heated seats = 100 per cent recommended.

Driving in the snow was equally trouble-free. To get onto the main road from my side road, a hill must be negotiated... an icy hill thanks to lots of previous cars wheelspinning their way out. However, a brief episode of side-to-side steering for traction soon saw the Puma pop onto the main – and salted – road.

Finding grip in a snow-clad car park was, of course, immensely easy. None of you will be surprised to read that unadulterated snow offers stacks of grip – the key to not mucking up in such a situation is to keep your inputs steady and absolutely not to spin your wheels.

So, the Puma has acquitted itself very well as a winter car, and it has made me a firm advocate of heated screens, rear and front.