Long-term update: Ford Puma ST-Line entertains on the road less travelled
Image: Jason Woosey
Rising over a crest on the R74, you're suddenly hit with a view of the Northern Drakensberg that startles with its magnificence and takes your breath away.
The drive from Johannesburg to Durban is always pleasantly scenic once you reach the escarpment, even if you stick to the default N3 toll route that snakes its way through the Van Reenen's Pass.
But if you're looking for something even more picturesque, and a route that's not littered with thousands of trucks, turning onto the R74 just after Harrismith could be an enticing diversion, with mountain views to die for and a scenic amble alongside Sterkfontein Dam. And if you're lucky with the few stop-and-gos that are in place, the diversion only adds around half an hour to your journey time.
Having taken delivery of our new Ford Puma long-termer a month prior, I was keen to sample it on some twisty roads, and the R74 seemed like just the answer.
The Puma ST-Line Vignale is fitted with sports suspension and 18-inch wheels.
Image: Jason Woosey
Granted, I was a little concerned about what condition the road might be in, with the Puma being a sporty crossover with relatively low-profile 18-inch rubber and sports suspension. Yet besides a few nasty potholes in the vicinity of Winterton and a short dirt section in the mountains where part of the road has washed away, the R74 proved to be a pleasant drive. Certainly nothing the Puma couldn't handle.
The twisty sections through the escarpment highlighted just how entertaining this compact crossover can be.
Although I didn't notice too much of a difference in the throttle and steering modulation after flipping into Sport mode, the vehicle felt engaging. The steering is perhaps not quite as communicative and enjoyable as the older Fords before electric power steering, but when it comes to agility and road holding, the Puma is easily the cream of the modern small SUV class.
Its 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, with 92kW and 170Nm, delivers surprisingly spirited performance, delivered in a smooth and responsive manner through the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Although the EcoBoost motor is not new, it is still refined and relatively sophisticated by modern standards. Innovations such as an unbalanced flywheel and pulley, and specially designed engine mounts, mean it doesn't suffer from the 'shakes' like many other three-cylinder engines.
The bottom line is that Ford's Puma is satisfying and entertaining to drive, although the ride is a little on the firm side by modern SUV standards. The Titanium version, with its regular suspension and 17' rims, could prove a better bet for those seeking more in the way of comfort.
The Puma has a sporty shape that's more akin to a car than an SUV.
Image: Jason Woosey
But ultimately, the Puma is something of a niche SUV. Of course, the R617,500 price tag of our ST-Line Vignale long-termer is prohibitive - it is a European import after all, and none of those are affordable anymore.
But the modern SUV buyer is not looking for 'fun to drive'. They're seeking space, comfort, and in many cases, a macho image on the road.
But if you're not most people, and you appreciate its sharp driving characteristics and indulgent luxury, the Puma could be right up your alley.
The ST-Line Vignale has a gorgeous set of leather seats with diamond-quilted patterns and a massage function for those upfront. Also part of the deal is a 10-speaker B&O sound system, wireless charging pad, and configurable digital instrument cluster. The 8.0-inch central touchscreen is small by modern standards, but its Sync 3 operating system is logical and easy to use, and there are still physical controls for the important things like volume and climate controls.
The cabin is very well appointed.
Image: Supplied
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Long-term update: Ford Puma ST-Line entertains on the road less travelled
The R74 between Harrismith and Bergville has some beautiful vistas. Image: Jason Woosey Rising over a crest on the R74, you're suddenly hit with a view of the Northern Drakensberg that startles with its magnificence and takes your breath away. The drive from Johannesburg to Durban is always pleasantly scenic once you reach the escarpment, even if you stick to the default N3 toll route that snakes its way through the Van Reenen's Pass. But if you're looking for something even more picturesque, and a route that's not littered with thousands of trucks, turning onto the R74 just after Harrismith could be an enticing diversion, with mountain views to die for and a scenic amble alongside Sterkfontein Dam. And if you're lucky with the few stop-and-gos that are in place, the diversion only adds around half an hour to your journey time. Having taken delivery of our new Ford Puma long-termer a month prior, I was keen to sample it on some twisty roads, and the R74 seemed like just the answer. The Puma ST-Line Vignale is fitted with sports suspension and 18-inch wheels. Image: Jason Woosey Granted, I was a little concerned about what condition the road might be in, with the Puma being a sporty crossover with relatively low-profile 18-inch rubber and sports suspension. Yet besides a few nasty potholes in the vicinity of Winterton and a short dirt section in the mountains where part of the road has washed away, the R74 proved to be a pleasant drive. Certainly nothing the Puma couldn't handle. The twisty sections through the escarpment highlighted just how entertaining this compact crossover can be. Although I didn't notice too much of a difference in the throttle and steering modulation after flipping into Sport mode, the vehicle felt engaging. The steering is perhaps not quite as communicative and enjoyable as the older Fords before electric power steering, but when it comes to agility and road holding, the Puma is easily the cream of the modern small SUV class. Its 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, with 92kW and 170Nm, delivers surprisingly spirited performance, delivered in a smooth and responsive manner through the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Although the EcoBoost motor is not new, it is still refined and relatively sophisticated by modern standards. Innovations such as an unbalanced flywheel and pulley, and specially designed engine mounts, mean it doesn't suffer from the 'shakes' like many other three-cylinder engines. The bottom line is that Ford's Puma is satisfying and entertaining to drive, although the ride is a little on the firm side by modern SUV standards. The Titanium version, with its regular suspension and 17' rims, could prove a better bet for those seeking more in the way of comfort. The Puma has a sporty shape that's more akin to a car than an SUV. Image: Jason Woosey But ultimately, the Puma is something of a niche SUV. Of course, the R617,500 price tag of our ST-Line Vignale long-termer is prohibitive - it is a European import after all, and none of those are affordable anymore. But the modern SUV buyer is not looking for 'fun to drive'. They're seeking space, comfort, and in many cases, a macho image on the road. But if you're not most people, and you appreciate its sharp driving characteristics and indulgent luxury, the Puma could be right up your alley. The ST-Line Vignale has a gorgeous set of leather seats with diamond-quilted patterns and a massage function for those upfront. Also part of the deal is a 10-speaker B&O sound system, wireless charging pad, and configurable digital instrument cluster. The 8.0-inch central touchscreen is small by modern standards, but its Sync 3 operating system is logical and easy to use, and there are still physical controls for the important things like volume and climate controls. The cabin is very well appointed. Image: Supplied
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