The Ford Puma is Autocar magazine’s Game Changer car for 2020. The Game Changer category highlights those cars responsible for bringing new, higher standards to a hard-fought class or defying conventions to bring unexpected benefit for buyers.
Unveiled last year, the new Ford Puma combines mild-hybrid fuel efficiency, best-in-class luggage space and advanced driver assistance technologies in a stylish crossover.
Mark Tisshaw, Autocar editor, said: “Ford has achieved something remarkable with the new Puma, which is to bestow upon the previously lacklustre compact-crossover class a member that possesses character in both the way it looks and the way it drives. The latter is especially impressive, Ford once again democratising enjoyment behind the wheel by ensuring even low-powered and sparsely equipped models are fun on the right road. That ride quality doesn’t seem to have been in any way impinged by the car’s pursuit of handling prowess also hints at the detail-engineering Ford is known for among big-volume manufacturers.”
Almost 7,000 new Ford Pumas have been sold in the UK since going on sale earlier this year, and 90.7 per cent of those sales are the mild-hybrid engine, available from £21,640.
On receiving the award, Lisa Brankin, Passenger Vehicle Director, Ford of Britain, said: “It’s a great achievement for Puma to be recognised as a ‘game changer’ in such a hotly contested segment. Puma has been very well received since launch, and such high praise from industry experts like Autocar gives us great confidence we can build on this early success, adding new seven-speed automatic transmission and the performance Puma ST to the line-up this year.”
