Pure-electric Puma Gen-E to cost from under £30,000 and gets range of 234 miles, massive boot
Features something called a "GigaBox"
Ford has revealed the third all-electric SUV in its portfolio, this time based on the compact Puma crossover and christened the “Gen-E”.
While the Mustang Mach-E is a bespoke electric product from Ford, and the midsized Explorer is based on Volkswagen’s ID.4 technology and underpinnings, the Gen-E is simply an electrified version of the regular, pre-existing petrol-powered Puma model.
But it fulfils a pressing need in the company’s portfolio, competing in a marketplace alongside vehicles such as the Peugeot e-2008, Jeep Avenger Electric, Mini Aceman, Volvo EX30 and Vauxhall Mokka Electric.
Looks similar to the petrol variant
Visually, unless it’s painted in the signature bright yellow of the launch car, the Puma Gen-E is not much changed from the variants which have been available since 2019, and which was the best-selling car in the UK in 2023 with almost 50,000 units finding homes.
The most obvious distinction is that the Gen-E has a smoothed-off front end with no radiator grille, making it look similar to the nose of the Mustang Mach-E, but it also has white “Puma” lettering on its boot lid, instead of black.
Inside, it’s much the same story, with the car featuring a cabin similar to the facelifted petrol Puma models that have been on sale since the middle of this year.
That means the Gen-E sports the 12.8in touchscreen Sync 4 infotainment and a 12in digital instrument cluster, although a few electric-specific changes include a raised centre console and thus a column-mounted gearshift lever to go with it.
MegaBox becomes the GigaBox
Good news in the boot department, though. The removal of the fuel tank from the petrol Puma means Ford can enlarge the “MegaBox” underfloor storage compartment of the regular cars into the “GigaBox” for the Gen-E.
The outcome of that is a huge 574-litre cargo area, considerably larger than the standard Puma’s 468-litre capacity and even more than you’d get in the outgoing Audi A6 Avant estate car (565 litres).
We should point out that figure is if the Puma Gen-E is loaded up to the roof – the more commonplace measurement to the rear window line is down to 523 litres, but that’s still a more than decent figure for this class of car.
If that’s not enough storage for you, however, the deletion of a combustion engine at the front of the Puma Gen-E has further liberated a 43-litre front cubby under the bonnet.
Modest range, fast charging
Talking of 43, that’s the usable energy capacity of the Puma Gen-E’s battery pack in kWh. It’s not huge by current standards, which results in a modest 234-mile official range (expect less in the real world, especially in cold weather or on motorways) if you keep the electric Ford on its smallest 17in alloys of the entry-level Select.
Larger 18in wheels, fitted as standard to the higher-grade Premium model, drop the range to 226 miles, and there’s even a 19in option for the grander spec which reduces the number further to a rated 215 miles.
There are two benefits of a smaller battery pack, though.
The first is that the car remains relatively light for an EV, at 1,563kg, which could result in excellenthandling characteristics for its class.
The second is that at its maximum 100kW DC charging rate, the Puma Gen-E’s battery doesn’t take long to top up; it requires a smidge more than 23 minutes of hook-up for a 10-80 per cent top-up.
‘Most fun-to-drive experience yet‘
The electric Puma is also reasonably swift. Since the demise of the manual, 197bhp Puma ST with the 1.5-litre petrol engine, the fastest model in the range has been the 168bhp automatic Puma ST using a 1-litre powerplant.
The Gen-E gets close to that, delivering 166bhp from its front-mounted electric motor. It also has a healthy 213lb ft of torque (twisting force), which means it can do 0-62mph in eight seconds precisely.
Not only that, but according to Jon Williams, the general manager for Ford Blue and Model e in Europe, the electric Puma it is a hoot to drive.
“Puma Gen-E is our best ever Puma,” he claimed, “with the most fun-to-drive experience yet, combined with an incredibly energy-efficient electric powertrain.”
The Ford Puma Gen-E is on sale now, with the entry-level Select model priced at £29,995 and the Premium coming in £2,000 more expensive again.
For reference, the regular Puma range starts at £26,350 and tops out at £33,600 for the 168bhp ST.
Related articles
- If you were interested in the new electric Ford Puma Gen-E, you may want to read our review of the new Ford Capri
- You might like to read about our pick of the best cars of 2024
- Prefer petrol power? Read our review of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse instead
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