We saw the all-electric Ford Puma Gen-E up close at Auto Zurich 2025, where Ford showcased its best-selling European crossover in fully electric form. Built in Romania, the Puma Gen-E marked Ford’s first small passenger EV developed under the Model e division when it began reaching customers earlier this year.
Once we got to sit in the car, experience the features, space levels, and learn about its specifications, it hit us that it may not be the right fit for the U.S. Here’s everything we learned about the all-electric Puma:
Design
The Puma Gen-E is a conversion of the gas model, and it is evident in the design. It gets a closed front “shield” panel for better aerodynamics. The familiar sporty stance remains, but new details such as a blacked-out grille, sculpted hood, and revised LED lighting give it some differentiation.
Distinctive color choices include Electric Yellow, Digital Aqua Blue, and Fantastic Red. Wheel sizes range from 17- to 19 inches depending on trim. The rear gains a larger spoiler and a light bar connecting the LED lamps. Ford has also managed aerodynamic refinements to improve efficiency without having to change the car’s proportions.
Two versions are offered: Puma Gen-E and Puma Gen-E Premium. Both share the same body and powertrain, with the Premium adding Dynamic Matrix LED headlights, B&O audio, keyless entry, and 19-inch wheels.
Interior
The cabin adopts a fully digital cockpit with a 12.8-inch instrument cluster and a 12.0-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and Alexa Built-in enables voice control for navigation and daily tasks. The raised center console includes a sliding armrest, wireless phone charging pad, and extra storage beneath.
Materials depend on trim: cloth upholstery for Gen-E and Sensico synthetic leather-effect seats for Premium. Ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and a Sensico steering wheel are standard. A panoramic roof is optional, along with a Winter Pack introducing heated front seats, wheel, and windshield.
Experience in the Puma Gen-E
Ingress in the Ford Puma Gen-E is easy, but the driving position takes some adjustment. Even with the steering wheel at its highest point, my thighs brushed against it, which makes the space feel tighter for someone six feet tall. The steering wheel is unusually vertical and feels different from most cars.
Once seated, the support is good, with a firm backrest and adequate under-thigh comfort. Headroom is fine, and the cabin feels solidly built, though the lower dashboard plastics are hard and basic.
The upper dashboard and door panels feel more refined, and the Bang & Olufsen speaker bar adds a premium touch. The seats combine different textures and hold the body well, while the layout of controls is mostly logical.
The large touchscreen manages most functions, including HVAC and seat heating, which can be distracting while driving. Thankfully, there’s still a physical knob for volume and a defroster button. Outward visibility is decent, and the cabin gives off a practical, urban vibe suitable for daily use.
Getting into the rear seat is a bit awkward due to the sloping roofline. Once inside, legroom and knee room are tight for tall adults. The headroom also feels limited because of the coupe-like roof shape. The rear bench has adjustable headrests and a small center section with a 12-volt socket and USB-C port, but overall, the back seat is better suited for kids or shorter adults on short city trips rather than long journeys.
Specifications
Both variants use a 43 kWh (lithium-ion NMC) battery and a front-mounted electric motor producing 123.5 kW (166 hp) and 290 Nm (214 lb-ft) of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes 8.0 seconds. Top speed is 160 km/h (99 mph).
The battery offers a WLTP range of up to 376 km (234 mi) on the Gen-E and 364 km (226 mi) on the Premium. DC fast charging at up to 100 kW enables a 10-80 percent top-up in about 23 minutes. A 10-minute charge adds roughly 124 km (77 mi) of range.
Ford engineers say the electric version preserves the sharp steering and body control that made the original Puma successful with urban and family buyers.
Pricing
The Puma Gen-E is priced starting at £26,245 (around USD 35,087), with the top-end ‘Sound’ Edition coming in at £30,545 (around USD 40,836) in the UK (OTR).
Puma Electric for the U.S.?
Ford has its own ‘skunkworks’ team in California developing a low-cost platform and a production philosophy that reimagines how vehicles are built, for the U.S. market. The brand isn’t interested in fitting a battery pack to a combustion vehicle, as that approach limits performance, range, and space for U.S. buyers. With Doug Field’s team now advancing a dedicated low-cost platform set to deliver vehicles from 2027, importing small B-segment models like the Puma looks out of question.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
