If you’re looking at a Ford Puma automatic, here’s the headline: it uses a seven-speed Powershift dual-clutch gearbox, sold as EcoBoost Hybrid Powershift, and it’s now the only transmission available on the higher-powered 155PS engine and the Puma ST. Prices for the automatic Puma start from around £24,000, with official fuel economy of up to 49.6mpg and CO2 emissions from 129g/km, according to Ford UK’s current specifications.
The catch is that reviewers aren’t universally keen on it. Several UK motoring titles describe the Puma’s auto gearbox as slow to respond compared with the manual. This guide covers pricing, running costs, reliability, and how to decide whether the automatic is right for you.
What gearbox does the Ford Puma automatic use?
The Ford Puma automatic is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, badged EcoBoost Hybrid Powershift. It’s built by Getrag, not the older Ford PowerShift unit that gave earlier Fiestas and Focuses a reputation for reliability trouble, so it’s worth not confusing the two when reading reviews or forum threads.
It pairs with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder petrol engine and Ford’s 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which uses regenerative braking to assist the engine and cut fuel use slightly. Five drive modes are offered: Normal, Eco, Sport, Trail, and Slippery, each adjusting throttle response and traction settings, according to Ford’s official Puma page.
Ford Puma automatic price in the UK
Ford’s current Puma pricelist, effective from 1 April 2026, puts on-the-road prices for the full range between roughly £27,145 and £34,745 depending on trim and engine, based on figures reported by Auto Trader. Automatic-only versions, such as the 155hp ST-Line X and the Puma ST, sit towards the middle and top of that range.
On used and nearly-new Ford Puma automatics, Carwow lists prices currently spanning £13,700 to £37,895 across trims including Titanium, ST-Line, and ST-Line X. The Puma ST automatic specifically starts from around £16,900 used, rising to roughly £37,380 for a nearly new example, per Carwow’s live listings.
Prices move constantly with stock and dealer discounts, so treat these as a guide and check current listings before you commit.
Engines and performance
There are two 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engines in the current Puma line-up: 125hp and 155hp, both with mild-hybrid assistance. Since the 2024 facelift, the 155hp engine is auto-only, paired exclusively with the seven-speed Powershift gearbox. The 125hp version is typically sold with a six-speed manual.
The hot Puma ST also switched to automatic-only after the facelift, now producing 170PS, and it lost the option of a manual gearbox in the process, a change several reviewers weren’t happy about given the manual’s reputation as more engaging to drive.
0-62mph times for the automatic sit around 10.2 seconds for the 125hp version historically, though current 155hp auto figures are closer to 8-9 seconds depending on trim. Top speed across the range runs from 116mph to 130mph, according to Auto Trader’s current spec data.
Ford Puma automatic MPG, CO2 and running costs
Fuel economy is where the automatic loses ground to the manual. Official WLTP figures put the 155hp automatic at around 49.6mpg, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km, compared with the equivalent manual’s 51.4mpg, based on figures reported by Auto Express.
Some testers have recorded the automatic dropping as low as 48.7mpg on official cycles, and real-world figures during motoring press road tests have landed closer to 42mpg on the 155hp automatic. If fuel economy is your main priority, the manual 125hp Puma remains the most frugal choice at up to 52.3mpg WLTP.
Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) bands are reviewed annually, so rather than quoting a figure that may already be out of date, check your exact CO2 output and current VED rate using the GOV.UK vehicle tax checker before you buy.
Insurance groups
Insurance costs vary by trim and engine size, but as a rough guide, the entry-level 1.0-litre Titanium sits in group 14, rising to around group 17 for the more powerful 155hp version, according to Money Expert. Higher trims such as the ST-Line X First Edition Plus can reach group 19.
Most Puma versions fall somewhere between groups 15 and 20 overall, which is broadly competitive against small SUV rivals like the SEAT Arona and Renault Captur.
Automatic vs manual: which should you choose?
This is genuinely contested among UK reviewers, and it’s worth reading a few opinions before deciding. Carwow’s road test team described the automatic gearbox as “slow and dim-witted” and recommended sticking with the manual even for city driving. Auto Express reached a similar conclusion, calling the automatic “very disappointing” and noting there’s no manual override.
What Car? and Parkers take a slightly softer line, pointing out the automatic suits stop-start traffic and motorway cruising better than the manual, even if it’s not as sharp on a twisty B-road. If you mostly drive in town or do a long motorway commute, the auto’s convenience may outweigh the criticism. If you enjoy driving and want the most efficient, most responsive Puma, most reviewers still point towards the manual.
Ford Puma ST automatic
Since the facelift, the Puma ST is only available as an automatic, using the same 170PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine as before but now solely through the seven-speed DCT. It manages 47.9mpg WLTP with CO2 emissions of 135g/km, according to Auto Express testing.
Losing the manual option was a point of criticism from several reviewers, given the ST’s reputation as one of the more engaging hot hatches in SUV clothing. If you’re specifically after a manual Puma ST, you’ll need to look at pre-facelift used stock from before 2024.
Common Ford Puma automatic gearbox problems
The Getrag seven-speed DCT is a considerable improvement over the old Ford PowerShift, but it isn’t fault-free. Owners commonly report jerky low-speed gear changes and hesitation when pulling away, particularly in stop-start traffic or from cold, with issues typically surfacing between 30,000 and 60,000km, according to reliability data compiled by CarChecker.
In many cases, a software recalibration resolves the issue, usually costing somewhere in the region of £85 to £170. Clutch pack wear is a further possibility on higher-mileage cars, with replacement running to roughly £700 to £1,300, and full mechatronic unit failure, while uncommon, can cost £1,700 to £2,600 to fix.
Ford recommends a transmission fluid change every 60,000km rather than relying on any “lifetime fill” claim, and forum discussion on the Ford Puma Forum includes several accounts of gearbox rebuilds carried out under warranty. If you’re buying used, ask for evidence of regular fluid changes and check for a service history that includes any transmission work.
An automatic alternative: Ford Puma Gen-E
If the DCT’s quirks put you off, it’s worth knowing the fully electric Ford Puma Gen-E uses a single-speed automatic transmission with none of the dual-clutch hesitation. Prices start from £29,995, though the government’s EV grant currently knocks up to £3,750 off that for eligible buyers on orders placed by 30 September 2026, bringing the effective starting price to around £26,245, per Ford UK.
Official range sits at up to 259 miles depending on spec, with a 43kWh usable battery and DC rapid charging from 10 to 80% in around 23 minutes at up to 100kW, according to Carwow’s specification data. It’s not a direct swap for petrol Puma drivers, but if smooth, single-speed automatic driving is the goal, it solves the gearbox debate entirely.
FAQs
Is the Ford Puma automatic worth it?
It depends on your priorities. The automatic suits stop-start city driving and motorway cruising, but most UK reviewers rate the manual as more responsive and slightly more fuel efficient, so it’s worth test driving both before deciding.
How much does a Ford Puma automatic cost?
New automatic Puma prices currently start from around £27,145 on the road, rising to roughly £34,745 for higher trims, according to Auto Trader. Used automatics on Carwow range from around £13,700 up to nearly £38,000 depending on age and trim.
What MPG does the Ford Puma automatic get?
The 155hp automatic returns an official WLTP figure of around 49.6mpg, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km. Real-world figures during press testing have come in lower, closer to 42mpg, according to Auto Express and Carwow road tests.
Is the Ford Puma automatic gearbox reliable?
The current Getrag seven-speed DCT is more reliable than the old Ford PowerShift gearbox, but owners do report jerky low-speed shifts and occasional clutch pack wear, usually appearing between 30,000 and 60,000km. Regular fluid changes every 60,000km help reduce the risk of bigger issues.
Can you still get a manual Ford Puma?
Yes, but only on the 125hp engine. Since the 2024 facelift, the 155hp Puma and the Puma ST are automatic only, so anyone wanting a manual with more power will need to look at pre-facelift used models.
What’s the difference between Ford Puma EcoBoost Hybrid and Powershift?
EcoBoost Hybrid describes the mild-hybrid petrol engine fitted across the Puma range, while Powershift refers specifically to the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. You’ll see both badges together on automatic models, which can be confusing since it’s not a full or plug-in hybrid.
Does the automatic Ford Puma have a manual override?
No, several reviewers, including Auto Express, note that the current Puma’s automatic gearbox lacks a manual override or paddle-shift function, which some drivers find limiting on twisty roads.
Is the Ford Puma ST still available as a manual?
No, not new. Since the facelift, the ST is sold exclusively with the automatic gearbox, a change that drew criticism from reviewers who preferred the manual’s more engaging feel. A used pre-2024 ST is currently the only route to a manual version.
