The Toyota C-HR is an enjoyable car to drive but its problem here is that the Ford Puma is truly exceptional. The Toyota comes with a choice of engines, although every version sold new from 2018 onwards is a full hybrid. You’ll find the C-HR feels nippy around town and stable at higher speeds, although its interior does get a bit noisy on motorway due to a combination of noise from the engine, tyres and wind rushing over the car.
The Ford Puma, though, is the best-driving car of this type. All standard Puma models come with a 1.0-litre, mild-hybrid engine. They’re all quick to accelerate and are equally happy around town, on country roads or cruising on the motorway. The steering feels sharp and agile and it’s genuinely fun to drive on a winding B-road. If you’re a driving enthusiast, this is the small SUV for you.
There’s also a high-performance version, called the Puma ST, which is great fun to drive and more sporty looking than the standard Puma.