Ford updates its smallest electric SUV with better range and hands-free tech

Even though the Ford Puma Gen-E only started appearing on roads a year ago, the company decided it was already time for a change. This small electric vehicle is a big deal in Europe - it fills the spot left behind by the Ford Fiesta, which was one of the most popular small cars for a very long time. Now, this "city hatchback on stilts" is getting some smart upgrades to keep drivers happy.

The biggest change involves the battery. Ford engineers improved the internal design of the battery pack and instead of the old 43 kWh capacity, the new version has a usable capacity of 46.8 kWh. This might seem like a small number, but in the world of EVs, every little bit of energy helps.

Because the battery holds more energy, the Ford Puma Gen-E can now travel further on a single charge. The driving range used to be 234 miles, and with the update the car can now travel up to 259 miles before it needs a recharge. This is a solid improvement for a car that is mostly meant for driving around busy cities. It gives owners a bit more peace of mind when they decide to take a longer trip on the weekend.

Having a bigger battery does come with a tiny penalty. The car still charges at the same maximum speed of 100 kW, and since there is more battery to fill up, you will have to wait at the charging station a little longer. To go from a 10% charge to 80%, it now takes 26 minutes. That is three minutes longer than the older model. In the grand scheme of things, three minutes is barely enough time to buy a cup of coffee, but it is a trade-off for that extra driving range.

The electric motor has not changed at all. It still sits at the front of the vehicle and delivers 165 horsepower. It also provides 214 lb-ft of torque, which helps the Ford Puma Gen-E go from zero to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds - that's plenty for a small car to safely merge onto highways or zip through traffic.

One of the most exciting additions to this small EV is BlueCruise - Ford's hands-free driving system. It allows the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel while driving on specific highways. Ford calls these approved stretches of road "Blue Zones." This technology was first introduced on much more expensive Ford models, so seeing it on the tiny Puma Gen-E is a nice surprise.

While the car does the hard work of steering, the driver cannot just take a nap or play games on their phone. BlueCruise is an "eyes-on" system. This means there are cameras watching the driver to make sure they are looking at the road. If the driver looks away for too long, the car will ask them to take control again. It is meant to make long trips less tiring, not to replace the driver entirely.

Inside the cabin, the Ford Puma Gen-E feels very high-tech for a subcompact car. Every model comes with two large digital screens. The driver looks at a 12.8-inch screen for things like speed and battery life. In the middle of the dashboard, there is a 12-inch touchscreen. This screen runs the latest Sync 4 software. It allows you to connect your phone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto without needing any messy wires.

For those who love music, Ford offers a very loud upgrade. The base model has six speakers, but the more expensive versions come with a B&O Play sound system. This setup has 10 speakers and puts out 650 watts of power.

The Ford Puma Gen-E is built in Romania and continues to be a leader in the small electric crossover market. By adding more range and hands-free technology just one year after its launch, Ford is showing that it is not resting on its laurels. This car proves that you do not need a giant vehicle to get the latest technology and a decent driving range.

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