Considering a Ford Puma? It’s the UK’s most popular car but don’t buy one before reading this
Car changing is a big deal
Just because it’s the best-selling car in the UK doesn’t mean it’s the best – here are three cars you should also consider if there’s a Puma on your shortlist
The Ford Puma is consistently one of the most popular cars in the UK. So far in 2026 it’s leading the sales charts, and it topped the league in the whole of 2025 too.
And it’s easy to see why people really like the Puma. It’s small enough to be an absolute doddle to drive around the city, but with enough room for kids in the back seats and with a truly vast boot ideal for all their kit and clobber.
It’s also well-priced, and great fun to drive on a twisty road – one of very few small SUVs we can say that about. Plus, there’s a Ford dealer on every corner.
But don’t stay on autopilot and buy a Puma just because everybody else is. There are dozens of other cars that you could consider instead, many of which beat the Puma in some key areas. Here are three you should definitely have on your shortlist if you’re considering buying, financing or leasing a Ford Puma.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
The efficient one – Toyota Yaris Cross
Ford says the Puma has ‘hybrid’ engines, but really the tiny amount of electric assistance you get amounts to little more than a beefy stop/start system. Enter the Toyota Yaris Cross, which gets a proper self-charging hybrid engine and is all the better for it.
The Yaris Cross is so efficient you might forget your way to the petrol station. More than 60mpg in everyday use is par for the course, and if you’re careful you can see over 70mpg. We’ve even seen people return more than 80mpg. And you don’t have to suffer a lightweight construction or no creature comforts for this economy – the Yaris Cross is superbly well-built and comes with plenty of standard equipment.
It’s not as much fun to drive as the Puma, though. The steering is light and doesn’t encourage you to press on in the corners, and the hybrid engine comes with a CVT gearbox that means the engine revs never really line up with the accelerator pedal. It’s much better for schlepping around town than carving up a back road.
The electric one – Renault 4 E-Tech
It might be the adorable Renault 5 getting all the headlines, but the closely-related Renault 4 is a much more sensible choice if you have a small family. It has good space in the rear and a really useful boot – it’s not quite as large as the Puma’s, but the tailgate opens right down to the floor so it’s incredibly easy to load up.
The Renault 4 has a range of 250 miles per charge and is good fun to drive – maybe not quite as eager as the Puma in the corners, but still very nimble and entertaining for an electric car, especially round the city. The interior’s also great, with a fab Google-based infotainment system that makes the Puma’s look old-fashioned.
And with a starting price of less than £24,000 after the Government’s EV grant, it’s even cheaper than the petrol Puma to buy.
The sensible one – Volkswagen Golf
For almost the same price as a Puma, you can get yourself into one of the best all-rounders out there – as long as you don’t mind being sat a bit lower to the ground. The Golf is a traditional hatchback rather than an SUV, but it’s still a fantastic family car.
The 380-litre boot isn’t quite as large as the Puma’s but you do get more rear legroom, which makes all the difference if you’re trying to fit child seats. Plus, the Golf feels more mature than the Puma to drive – it’s comfier over bumps, quieter on the motorway and feels substantial. You also get a wide range of engines to choose from, including a long-ranged plug-in hybrid and even a diesel.
Without that more commanding driving position, though, you might feel a bit more vulnerable driving the Golf than you do the Puma. It’s also longer, so a bit harder to park, and a bit more expensive if you go wild ticking the options boxes. But it’s definitely worth it.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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