The Ford Puma is one of the sweetest cars I've driven in some time. The Puma is based on the Fiesta, using the platform and dashboard from that excellent Ford basic model. Indeed, the dash and instruments area is completely Fiesta with silvering. And continuing the silver theme, the gearknob is a stainless steel ball, very smart-looking.

The sculpting of the car's body reflects the styling edge Ford began with the Ka, continued through the current revision of the Mondeo, and the new Cougar, and will further manifest in the Escort replacement. The front lights treatment particularly attracts comment, but there is a fluency of design from end to end that makes it simply a joy to look at from any angle.

Back inside that strong sense of design coherency is maintained. The trim and fittings are of exceptional standard and fit, and the seats for two in the rear are as well built as those in the front and though there's not a lot of leg room, a smallish passenger could occasionally be carried behind a front passenger who is not too long in the legs department.

The comfort specification includes the usual electrics, and air-conditioning. Technical niceties include ABS, traction control, and a pair of airbags as well as all the other usual safety features. The car has a specially-designed 1.7-litre four that is quite marvellously smooth, swift, and satisfying.