Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma
If you're stuck between a Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma, we set out their differences in this simple guide.
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By Craig Hale
Last updated: 22 May 2025
Ford Puma vs. Toyota Yaris Cross: key differences
When it comes to compact crossovers, Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma is a battle of two firm favourites. Both bring a blend of style, practicality and everyday usability, but in entirely different packages.
Which one deserves that coveted spot on your driveway? Let's break down the Puma vs. Yaris Cross to see which comes out on top.
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Ford Puma vs. Toyota Yaris Cross
Our guide will answer:
Is the Toyota Yaris Cross or Ford Puma better to drive?
Does the Toyota Yaris Cross or Ford Puma have better tech?
Which car has the better styling?
Is the Toyota Yaris Cross or Ford Puma more reliable?
What are the Toyota Yaris Cross vs Ford Puma dimensions?
Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma: styling
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The Toyota Yaris Cross showcases a rugged, SUV-inspired design with bold lines and a high stance, making it a very familiar option for anybody who already likes the design of the larger RAV4.
In comparison, the Ford Puma has a sportier and more coupé-like silhouette with a curvier design and a more aggressive front end and grille. It offers the high-up driving position of a crossover with the familiarity of a hatchback.
Both cars have totally distinctive designs not just compared with each other, but compared with other similarly-sized SUVs, making them stand out in this highly crowded area of the market.
Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma: what are they like to drive?
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The Toyota Yaris Cross is all about composure, with a smooth and quiet drive coming from its self-charging hybrid powertrain. It's ideal for city commutes and relaxed cruising, where the automatic CVT gearbox focuses on efficiency rather than performance.
On the other hand, the Ford Puma is tuned to be fun. We already love its now-discontinued smaller sibling, the Fiesta, for its handling, and the Puma picks up where that car left off with precise steering and a slightly firmer ride.
We love the Puma for twisty country roads and zippy city side streets, but the Yaris Cross might be more suitable if you're all about taking life more slowly.
Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma: interior and technology
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The Yaris Cross has a slightly busier interior with a mix of different trim materials and plenty of buttons across the dashboard and steering wheel. It's intuitive rather than overwhelming, but it's clear that Toyota built this car with durability and longevity in mind.
In contrast, the Puma has a more driver-focused interior with a clearer button layout. The facelifted model, introduced in 2024, has even fewer buttons, with many of the climate controls moved to the enlarged touchscreen infotainment system.
Both models support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, but if you plan on using the pre-installed operating system, Ford's screen is easier to navigate on the go.
Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma: bootspace and practicality
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With 390 litres of boot space in front-wheel-drive format (the most common), the Yaris Cross has an average sized boot. It's around 100 litres more than superminis like the mechanically similar Yaris, so making the jump to a compact crossover could be a very smart decision.
It's a nice and open square-shaped storage space, and if you need extra allowance, the rear seats fold down flat so it's easy to slide items deeper in.
Ford's party trick for the Puma is the so-called Megabox, which is an additional 80 litres of storage space under the boot floor. The best part? It has a drain plug, so you can keep your muddy boots in there and hose it down when you're done.
All in, it has a 456-litre boot, but take away the Megabox and it drops to 376 litres, so it's a little bit less than its Toyota counterpart.
Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma: safety and reliability
The Toyota Yaris Cross got a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2021 with strong scores for adult and child passenger protection. One year later, in 2022, Euro NCAP awarded the Ford Puma with a slightly less impressive four-star rating.
Both models feature plenty of driver assistance systems, like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
Toyota's trump card is the 10-year warranty (for models that are serviced at authorised dealerships annually), which is the best in the business by a long way. Fords are known to be reliable and long-lasting, but the three-year warranty falls short.
Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma: dimensions
Toyota Yaris Cross
Length: 4,180mm
Width: 1,765mm
Height: 1,595mm
Bootspace: 390 litres
Ford Puma
Length: 4,186mm
Width: 1,805mm
Height: 1,550mm
Bootspace: 456 litres
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Verdict: Toyota Yaris Cross vs. Ford Puma: which should you buy?
Ford Puma vs. Toyota Yaris Cross – which should you pick?
If you value playful handling and a slightly more high-tech interior, the Puma's a great option.
But if a calm drive, rugged looks and an unbeatable warranty top your list, it has to be the Yaris Cross.
Overall, both crossovers prove that small cars are still worthy of your attention, packed with personality and practicality.
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