Ford Puma or Volkswagen T-Roc, which of the two is worth choosing?

A newcomer against a benchmark, the rookie against the veteran, the one who still has everything to prove against the one who has already won over the public: that is the duel between the Ford Puma and the Volkswagen T-Roc

The SUV market is buzzing with the arrival of new proposals, such as the all-new Ford Puma, facing cars that are already an institution, like the Volkswagen T-Roc.

To make this segment even more appealing, the inclusion of new cars means the German manufacturer is gaining rivals, and this can only mean it cannot afford to rest on its laurels.

That is why the newcomers must show all their available weapons to attract potential customers drawn to cars whose configuration sits halfway between classic off-roaders and urban compacts.

This is when the time comes to compare, put them face to face and highlight virtues and point out weaknesses of models that are direct rivals, as is the case of the Ford Puma and the Volkswagen T-Roc.

The styling of the Ford Puma and the Volkswagen T-Roc

The new compact SUV from Ford presents an exterior image in line with the rest of the range, of new design for Ford.

https://youtu.be/he1yDRFZ40Y

Taking styling cues from the Ford Focus, it features a generous front grille, similar to the one the Ford Fiesta has sported since the start of this decade, which has grown increasingly prominent to become its hallmark.

The teardrop-shaped headlights only sharpen this image. A pointed bonnet together with a progressive, sloping rise of the A-pillars further reinforces this impression.

The side view shows a silhouette more typical of a compact than of a crossover, even close to a coupé. Only the distance between the tyres and the wheel arches reminds us that we are somewhere between a crossover and a compact.

The rounded yet dynamic rear completes the image of this SUV-B with the bearing of an adventurous urban vehicle.

For its part, the Volkswagen T-Roc has a German character: with a more emphatic, sober and cool design, it shows a front profile defined by the play of parallel lines in its grille, which converge in an X shape elongated towards the ends at the number plate holder.

https://youtu.be/ux2VVbhvZvA

Muscular wheel arches and a raised waistline, together with the straighter lines of the pillars, especially the C-pillar, and a roof that is less coupé-like, show a more sober and perhaps elegant car than the Puma.

The rear view echoes the parallelism and intersection of rather secant-style lines of the front and even of the side profile.

A less emotional and more discreet ensemble in the case of the Volkswagen T-Roc, against the more attractive and dynamic Ford Puma.

The interior space of the Ford Puma compared with that of the Volkswagen T-Roc

The Ford Puma inherits all the good qualities of the Ford Fiesta’s interior and presents a slightly more distinctive cabin with sporty elements or more eye-catching details.

The inclusion of a large central screen and another behind the steering wheel that replaces traditional analogue dials brings it up to the level of the digital cockpit of the Volkswagen T-Roc.

Regardless of the trims chosen, for the moment the Ford Puma is offered in two trims, such as the Ford Puma Titanium or ST-Line X, and the cabin of this car feels more youthful, attractive and emotive.

For its part, besides recently adding new equipment for the Volkswagen T-Roc, and regardless of the T-Roc range, this SUV has a cooler interior look, a more rectilinear and less dynamic design, more serious and mature.

The mechanical offer of the Ford Puma and the Volkswagen T-Roc

One of the novelties that the Ford Puma introduced from the outset was a variant based on a light hybrid electric system. The adoption of a hybrid powertrain allows it to enter fully not only among the hybrid SUVs of 2019 but as one of the best options among the best SUVs of 2019.

Thus, starting from the 1.0 EcoBoost engine, the Ford Puma is only offered with petrol engines producing between 125 and 155 CV, always in a two-wheel-drive configuration (front-wheel drive)

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen T-Roc’s mechanical offer is broader, with both diesel and petrol engines, and front-wheel or all-wheel drive, but it lacks a hybrid alternative.

Price of the Ford Puma and the Volkswagen T-Roc

Taking the 125 CV 1.0 EcoBoost of the Ford Puma and the 115 CV 1.0 TSI of the Volkswagen T-Roc, the price difference between the cheapest version of the Puma starting at 22,175 euros, versus the 25,515 euros of the Volkswagen T-Roc in Advance trim, from which up to 2,050 euros in promotions and discounts from the German brand can be deducted, leaving the cheapest T-Roc at 23,515, only complicates the decision of which to choose.

Only a test drive of both models would tip the balance and, since we were able to enjoy the good on-road behaviour of the Volkswagen during the road test of the Volkswagen T-Roc, the Ford Puma will need to give us many more reasons to tip the scales away from the German vehicle.

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

CrossoverFord Puma12 versions · from 28,731 €

CrossoverVolkswagen T-Roc7 versions · from 34,285 €