Ford Puma Gen-E - The Electric Puma Is Here, and It's 100% Ford
Ford Europe, after axing gas cars like there’s no tomorrow, now puts all its eggs in the EV basket. Their 2030 all-electric goal? Already a retreat. On top of that, their new Explorer and Capri SUVs aren’t exactly flying off the lots—production cuts prove it. Despite setbacks, they’re rolling out a third EV anyway. Meet the Puma Gen-E.
Unlike the Explorer and Capri, which borrow Volkswagen’s MEB platform, the Puma Gen-E is purely Ford. First glance at it, and you’ll see it’s just the gas Puma reimagined as electric. Look closely at the front—bye-bye traditional grille, hello “shield.” Ford claims this look nods to the Mustang Mach-E.
Apart from the closed-off front end, Ford spruced up the Puma Gen-E with a fresh spoiler and some new wheel designs. That Electric Yellow paint? Exclusive. So is the Digital Aqua Blue. Customizing the car is a breeze. Just two trims, both powered by the same motor and battery combo.
Under the hood—or technically, under the body—sits a single front-mounted electric motor making 166 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque. Its 43 kWh lithium-ion battery gives the base trim a range of 234 miles (WLTP). Spring for the Premium trim, and the range dips slightly to 226 miles thanks to bigger, heavier 18-inch wheels replacing the standard 17s. Want optional 19-inch alloys? Sure, but Ford didn’t bother telling us what that does to range.
Admittedly, its range isn’t earth-shattering. But the good news? It supports 100 kW DC fast charging. Plug it in, and it can go from 10% to 80% battery in 23 minutes. Speed? Respectable. Zero to 62 mph takes eight seconds, and it tops out at 99 mph. Decent for a small crossover.
What’s refreshing, though, is that this isn’t one of those overstuffed EV behemoths. Weighing 3,280 pounds, it’s pretty lightweight by today’s standards. Size-wise, it’s compact: 165.9 inches long, 71 inches wide (mirrors folded), and just over 61 inches tall. The wheelbase? A tight 101.9 inches, same as the gas version.
Step inside, and it feels familiar—almost too familiar. The cabin mostly mirrors its gasoline sibling. The driver gets a 12.8-inch fully digital instrument cluster, while the center console has a 12-inch touchscreen running SYNC4 software. Standard across both trims? Heated/powered mirrors, ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and adjustable front seats. Plus, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, not to mention wireless charging for your phone.
Move up to the Premium trim, and you’ll enjoy fancier features: matrix LED headlights, keyless entry, a ten-speaker B&O sound system, and an electric tailgate. Optional add-ons sweeten the deal, like a panoramic roof, a removable towbar, and a Winter Pack (heated seats, windscreen, and steering wheel). The Driver Assistance Pack is another option, including a 360-degree camera, active cruise control, and lane-centering tech.
For a subcompact crossover, practicality isn’t bad. Ditching the combustion engine freed up space for a small front trunk—1.5 cubic feet. The rear cargo area? Bigger than before. It can hold 20.2 cubic feet if packed to the roof. Fold down the rear seats, and you’ve got 45.3 cubic feet to work with. These numbers put it ahead of even some larger SUVs, surprisingly.
Ford’s building the Puma Gen-E in Craiova, Romania, alongside the gas version. Meanwhile, its Explorer and Capri EVs are being made in Cologne, Germany. Europeans can already place orders for the electric Puma, with deliveries expected in spring. U.S. buyers? Sorry, but this one probably isn’t crossing the Atlantic.
For Ford of Europe, the stakes couldn’t be higher. After a dismal 2024, they’re banking on this EV to turn things around. Through October, their sales in the EU, EFTA, and UK tanked by 17.5%, totaling just 362,851 vehicles. Not shocking, given the Fiesta’s retirement last year. Market share took a hit too, falling from 4.1% to 3.4%. Hyundai and Kia now outpace Ford, each holding a 4.2% share in that region.
Next year, the Focus will bid farewell to Europe. With that loss, Ford’s market share could slide even further. If these new EVs—like the Puma Gen-E—don’t deliver, it’s hard to see how they’ll compete as they phase out gas cars.
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Source and Images: Motor1