Ford Puma Gen-E review

Refreshingly simple, this: you’re looking at a starting figure of £29,995 for the base version, and £31,995 for the upper spec version. That’s it. Ford’s opening offer is £351 per month with a £5k down payment on a four-year lease deal.

Compared to rivals, that's very competitive indeed. The Jeep Avenger is almost identically priced, but gets a bigger battery and more range. The Vauxhall Mokka Electric and Peugeot e-2008, which share the same electric undercrackers as the Avenger, will cost you a couple of grand more. But again, they take you further.

It's a similar story elsewhere. The Skoda Elroq, Volvo EX30 and Kia EV3 will also set you back slightly extra in return for more range, but have proven more efficient in our experience too. And all three of those get bigger battery options too.

A quick reminder on Ford’s ‘Power Promise’ commitment: every Gen-E buyer will receive a free electric home charger, 10,000 miles of charging credit, plus a five-year service plan including roadside recovery should you run out of juice. All part of Ford's gambit to put Nervous Nellies at ease.

Good to know. What’s the kit list like?

Base-spec Select gets 17in alloys, LED head- and tail-lights, Ford's impressive Quickclear heated windscreen, rear privacy glass, 12.8in digital dial and 12in infotainment displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, interior ambient lighting, rear parking sensors and camera, keyless start, cruise control and all of the usual driver assist toys.

Switching up to Premium trim (a £2k uplift) gets you 18in alloys, Matrix LED headlights, heated door mirrors with puddle lights, front door scuff plates, suede upholstery, a 10-speaker B&O audio system, power tailgate and keyless entry.

Among the options you’ll find Winter (£350), Advanced Driver Assistant (£950) and Comfort (£650) packs. For just £350 you want the Winter Pack, which includes a heated steering wheel and seats and will reduce your reliance on the range-sapping heater. Feels a bit stingy not to include those in the top-spec Premium trim really. Other options include £1,000 for an opening panoramic roof, or £500 for a black painted roof. You can do without.

Where’d you spend your money?

Easy one this, we’d stick with Select trim, which gets the better riding and range maximising 17-inch alloys, and then tick the Winter Pack options box.

Any spare cash left over we’d spend on a better colour: white paint is your only no cost option, anything else (yellow, black, grey, red, blue) is £800.

Oh, and one other thing to know: every Puma Gen-E sold also gets an eight-year/100,000km battery warranty for your peace of mind.