Recently I have had an opportunity to drive two different hot hatches from Ford, the FiestaST and the PumaST. Now I am probably a bit too old to be driving an ST car, but as you know life is not a rehearsal.
The Fiesta has been a great seller for Ford since it was launched in 1976 and has long been regarded as a car for females; a few years back it was named ‘Women’s Car of the Year.’
This was a powerful ST version, which would I think, be more attractive for a ‘Boy Racer.’ The Puma is a more recent addition to the Ford range and looks wise there is not much difference between the cars.
However, I drove a ‘Mean Green’ coloured version of the Puma ST while the Fiesta was a much more discreet Silver Fox colour.
Now the regular Puma starts at €26,069 and their ST version starts at €41,813. Likewise the regular version of the Fiesta starts at a very reasonable €18,949 and their 2-door ST version will cost you €32,612.
I spent longer time in the Fiesta and if I was buying new I think the Fiesta would be more attractive offer and not just because of the colour.
Of course you wouldn’t have to buy a ‘Mean Green’ colour in the Puma, where one of the big selling points is the massive Megabox in the boot which can hold a myriad of items.
I have driven a few different versions of the Fiesta over the years and indeed tried to persuade my daughter to buy one a few years back, but she opted for the larger Focus.
The Fiesta ST-3 is really powerful with a 1.5-litre Eco Boost engine and 200 brake horse-power, exactly the same engine as in the Puma ST.
Both test cars were four-doors and had the sporty-looking Recaro seats, which certainly look the part. Every time I sit into a car with a Recaro seat I think I am sub at Croke Park or at an English Premiership club.
Naturally both come with a plethora of extras. The Puma had 19-inch Magnetite machined alloys, while the Puma wheels were 18-inch 5-spoke alloys. And you get the red brake calipers which helps make the cars stand out from the crowd.
The Puma has that huge Megabox in the boot which is a great storage space. The boot in the Fiesta is decent and while there is no spare wheel, there is a ‘well’ for a spare. So once again the advice is, if buying new haggle for a spare.
As I said at the outset the Fiesta has traditionally been described as a favourite with females. I’m told that sales of the Puma have been more even between males and females. But it’s probably best suited for Boy Racers, if they can afford one.
The only annoying thing with both cars is that like some new VW cars the USB plug now provided would not take the charge lead for my i-phone. Luckily I had an old spare cigarette lighter type charger to plug in.
So there you have it, the Fiesta or Puma? If you want to get noticed then the ‘Mean Green’ Puma is the one for you. But if, like me you want a quiet life, then the Silver Fox is recommended. There is not a huge difference, except the price. All depends on your own budget.
