Ford is preparing a major technological update for the Puma in 2026. The refresh won’t focus on exterior changes, but on advanced driver assistance. For the first time, the crossover produced in Craiova will feature Ford’s BlueCruise autonomous driving system — previously introduced on the Mustang Mach-E — making it the most affordable Ford model equipped with this technology. Additionally, the Puma Gen-E electric version will gain extended driving range.
BlueCruise: features and availability
BlueCruise is the only Level 2+ hands-free system approved for public-road use in the United Kingdom and has also been authorized in 15 other European countries, giving it the widest coverage of any hands-free driving technology on the continent.
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Unlike adaptive cruise control, BlueCruise allows drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel as long as they keep their eyes on the road. The system activates exclusively on pre-mapped motorways and relies on a mix of radars, road-monitoring cameras and a driver-facing camera that can track eye movement even through sunglasses.
On Puma, Puma Gen-E, Kuga and Ranger PHEV, BlueCruise will be available only on 2026 models equipped with the “Driver Assistance Pack.” In Romania, the feature can be activated in the Ford account for use in approved countries, but it cannot be used domestically due to current legislation. Europe-wide, BlueCruise covers more than 135,000 km of designated motorways.
Subscription details for Romania will be announced later, but in the UK the service costs £17.99 per month or £215 per year for customers who don’t select the optional package at purchase.
Extended range for Puma Gen-E
The electric Puma Gen-E also receives efficiency upgrades. Although the net battery capacity remains 43 kWh, system improvements increase the maximum range to 400 km, up from the current WLTP figure of 375 km. This brings the model closer to competitors such as the Peugeot e-2008 and Mini Aceman.
Fast-charging capability remains unchanged at 100 kW DC, enabling 10–80% charging in 23 minutes. Pricing for Romania is yet to be revealed, while the UK starting price for the MY2026 version is £26,245. According to British market data, Puma remains the best-selling new car in 2023, 2024 and early 2025.
Photo: Electrive
