When the electric Ford Puma made its debut in Europe this year, it held the promise of being the mainstream EV we'd been longing for. However, while it's a promising vehicle, its pricing was only slightly more competitive than that of competitor SUVs. Now, as Ford's bestselling model goes electric, could this crossover hatchback finally be the first affordable Ford EV? I got an early look at the new Puma Gen-E during a static preview in London to find out.

Unveiling the Electric Ford Puma - A Game Changer in the EV Market

Externally Distinctive Features

Apart from the closed front grille, the Gen-E doesn't have many obvious differences from its non-electric predecessor. This is likely a good thing as it caters to family buyers who want the familiar Puma experience in an electric form. The Puma took over from the Fiesta as Ford's small city car offering and added some height to become a crossover, following the popular automotive trend. It was the bestselling car in the UK in 2023 and is on track to repeat this success in 2024.There is only one drivetrain for the Gen-E, combining a 168 PS front-wheel drive motor with a 43kWh (usable) battery. There are two trims available - the Premium, which costs £2,000 more and includes a higher quality B&O sound system and matrix LED headlights that only cut the part of the beam that might blind oncoming traffic. It also adds a hands-free powered tailgate and keyless entry. The basic car comes with 17in wheels, while the Premium offers 18in wheels, and 19in rims are an optional extra.

Interior and Cargo Space

Neither trim offers electrically adjustable seats, but the Premium comes with Sensico leather-effect material. Front space is decent, and the seats feel comfortable. There is some space in the central console, including a small cubby and a space for a handbag, along with a couple of cupholders. There is also a wireless phone charging pad up front.The rear passenger space is where the size of the Puma Gen-E becomes evident. For an average-height person like me sitting behind another average-height person in the front, there is just enough knee room. Headroom is fine for taller people, but it may be cramped for adults with longer legs. This clearly targets two adults in the front and children or young teenagers in the back. Rear passengers get USB ports but no air vents, catering to a smaller, more budget-oriented customer.In terms of cargo space, the Puma Gen-E leads its class. With the rear seats up, it can fit 523 liters of luggage when packed to the ceiling, competing with some SUVs. There is a large space beneath the floor, increasing the capacity to 574 liters. When the rear seats are dropped forward (with a 60-40 split), the capacity increases to an impressive 1,283 liters. The Puma Gen-E can even tow up to 750kg, making it suitable for a trailer but not a caravan.

Cockpit Experience

Ford has gone for a modern cockpit experience with the Puma Gen-E. The steering wheel is conventional, with buttons for cruise control and media built-in. There is a multi-functional stalk on the left for lights and windscreen wipers, and the right-hand stalk is exclusively for selecting drive modes. The 12in dashboard display behind the steering wheel is easy to see through.The infotainment system uses a landscape orientation, unlike the Ford Explorer or Mustang Mach-E. While there are a few discrete buttons for key functions like hazard lights and windscreen demisting, most operations are via the 12.8in infotainment display. The interface is similar to the Explorer but laid out for the wider panel. Functions are generally easy to find, with climate controls permanently at the bottom of the screen and a connected satnav. Wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto can also be used to access your smartphone's navigation.

Driving and Range

As this was a static preview, I couldn't take the Puma Gen-E for a test drive. On paper, its performance is average. The 0-62mph sprint takes eight seconds, which is not particularly fast for an EV but will feel quick if you're coming from a similar-sized mainstream fossil fuel-powered car. It should be sufficient for a family car of this class.The 43kWh battery is small by today's standards, even compared to new Minis. In the WLTP test, the standard car offers 233 miles of range, and the Premium has 227 miles. With more cars now offering 300 miles or more of range, this seems limited. However, the small battery size means that it can be recharged quickly - it takes only 23 minutes to go from 10% to 80% with a maximum DC charging rate of 100kW.Overall, the Puma Gen-E offers Ford's typical reliable design and build. The rear seats are better for children, but the rear cargo space is great for family shopping or sports gear. Its performance is unexciting, and the range is more in line with EVs from a few years ago. It's more suitable for city or suburban commuting rather than long family road trips.In the UK, the Ford Puma Gen-E will be available for £29,995 ($38,000) for the basic version and £31,995 ($41,000) for the Premium. These prices are reasonable for an EV, but there are other budget options like the MG4 and upcoming models like the Renault 4 and 5, Hyundai Inster, and Vauxhall-Opel Frontera. So while the Puma Gen-E is a significant step in the right direction for Ford and looks to be of good quality, it will have to compete with some tough rivals when it hits the market in 2025.