Ford just pulled the wraps off the refreshed 2026 Puma, and the little crossover that’s been stealing hearts in Europe (and quietly winning over a few fans here through gray-market imports) looks ready to raise the bar again. Bigger screens, cleaner styling, more power options, and that playful driving feel Ford refuses to let die — here’s everything we know so far.
Sharper on the Outside
The 2026 Puma gets a full front-end makeover that brings it in line with the latest Ford family face. The grille is wider and lower, the LED headlights are slimmer and now come standard with matrix tech on higher trims, and there’s a new full-width light bar that glows when you unlock the car. Out back, the taillights are connected by a thin red stripe, and ST-Line models get a more aggressive diffuser and bigger exhaust tips.
- Overall length grows by about 2 inches, mostly to improve crash protection and add a little more cargo room.
- New 18- and 19-inch wheel designs look properly sporty without killing ride quality.
Ford says every body panel except the roof is new, but you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s just a heavy facelift — the proportions are still perfectly Puma.
A Tech Leap Inside
Step inside and the changes are impossible to miss. The old 8-inch touchscreen is gone. In its place sits a 12.8-inch central display running the latest SYNC 5 system, plus a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that’s standard across the board. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now truly wireless, over-the-air updates are faster, and there’s a new Alexa Built-in feature that actually works offline for basic commands.
The steering wheel is new, the seats have more side bolstering on ST-Line and Titanium models, and Ford finally added a proper wireless charging pad that can handle bigger phones.
Same Fun, More Choices Under the Hood
The big news is that the pure-gas 1.0-liter EcoBoost lives on, now with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance across the lineup for smoother stop-start and a tiny boost in city mileage. Power stays in the 123-153 hp range depending on tune, but throttle response feels snappier thanks to updated software.
For the first time, a full hybrid option joins the party — borrowing tech from the Euro-spec Kuga — with around 180 total system horsepower and legitimate 60+ mpg potential on the European cycle. A proper all-wheel-drive version finally exists too, though it’s tied to the hybrid and only available in colder markets.
And yes, the ST is still coming. Ford only showed the regular Puma this time, but spy shots confirm a 2026 Puma ST with close to 200 hp, a louder exhaust, and those gorgeous bucket seats.
Still the Driver’s Compact Crossover
Ford keeps bragging that the Puma is still the best-handling car in its class, and early drives on pre-production cars back that up. The chassis is 15 percent stiffer, the steering is quicker off-center, and the optional adaptive dampers actually make a difference this time.
The trick MegaBox storage cubby under the cargo floor is deeper now, and the rear seats still fold almost completely flat — something a lot of bigger crossovers still can’t manage.
Conclusion
The 2026 Ford Puma proves you don’t need to go big to have fun. It looks sharper, packs way more tech, offers greener powertrains, and somehow still feels like the cheeky hot-hatch-in-SUV-clothing that made us fall for the original. If Ford ever decides to bring it to the States officially, the Fiesta and Focus faithful will line up overnight.
FAQs
When does the 2026 Ford Puma go on sale?
Production starts in early summer 2025, with the first customer cars arriving in Europe by fall 2025.
Will the U.S. finally get the Puma?
Nothing official yet, but Ford has filed trademarks and the new hybrid powertrain meets American emissions rules. Fingers crossed.
Is the manual gearbox still available?
Yes! The 6-speed stick lives on with the non-hybrid 1.0-liter engines — take that, automatic-only world.
How much will it cost?
Expect a small bump over the current model — roughly €28,000-€38,000 in Europe depending on trim, with the hybrid starting closer to €34,000.
Is the Puma ST confirmed?
Ford hasn’t shown it yet, but prototype testing is well underway and a reveal is expected by mid-2026.
The little Ford that could just got a whole lot better. Bring on the twisty roads.
