Cheeky crossover stylish, fun to drive, but pricey

WE'VE spent the past four months with the Magnetic Grey Ford Puma ST-Line Vignale and soon IOL will be bidding a sullen farewell to this cheeky little crossover.

- JASON WOOSEY [e-mail]

What I have come to appreciate most is the engaging driving experience that makes every journey an enjoyable one.

These days, engineers and bean counters at car manufacturers pay little attention to how enjoyable a car is to drive. And I get it. The market is becoming more cost-competitive and most buyers are more concerned with practicality, comfort and style. It's what people want.

But for those few who enjoy nippy handling, a well-weighted steering system that makes you feel connected to the front wheels and a responsive drivetrain, the Ford Puma excels in the way that reminds us of discontinued hatchbacks like the Fiesta and Focus.

I took our test car on holiday to the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast in June and, with a degree of scepticism, took a detour along the gorgeous but decaying R74, which winds its way past Sterkfontein Dam. In the smoother sections, the Puma could be chucked with confidence, and even on the bumpier stretches and a short section of dirt, the little Ford felt perfectly composed.