Ford Puma’s megabox boot doubles up as everything from an aquarium to an ice box or even a chihuahua paddling pool

WEE Jimmy wins a goldfish at a fair.

But there’s a problem . . . the war on plastic means he’s going to struggle to get it home.

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He can’t have a bag and he won’t get much further than the candy floss stall cupping it in his hands.

The answer? A Ford Puma.

Open the boot and you’ll find an 80-litre “MegaBox” with a plughole replacing the spare wheel.

Genius.

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You could use it as an icebox for barbecues . . . hook-a-duck or apple bobbing at the school fete . . . pitch and putt . . .  paddling pool for a chihuahua . . . the possibilities are endless. But most likely you’d use it for sensible stuff like storing muddy sports kit or wellies or bringing plants home from B&Q.

The MegaBox is one of many reasons why you’d love a Puma.

There are zip-off seat covers that you can stick in the washing machine. Massaging seats. Five drive modes including “Slippery” and “Trail”. Eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. Wireless phone charging.

And this is all standard in the base Titanium model at £20,545.

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I’d 100 per cent recommend paying another £300 for the 48-volt mild hybrid system.

In short, it stores braking energy in a lithium-ion battery and uses it to boost performance and  fuel economy. Win. Win. And it costs pennies a month on finance. First thing to note: There’s no faffing about with a plug. Second thing to note: The petrol/electric combo is an absolute peach. No 1.0-litre engine should be this willing.

The extra dollop of electric torque at low revs means you can do most of your work  haring up and down a mountain in third gear, just not with Nemo in the boot.

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Most of you will remember the old Puma from the Nineties. It was a cute, two-door coupe based on a Fiesta.

The new Puma is a jacked-up crossover based on a Fiesta but stretched by 15cm.

Should Ford have reused the name? I say not.

But they’re going to sell them by the boatload anyway. Much of the chassis and suspension is lifted from the Fiesta, which means  it drives far better than it has a right to.

It’s fun and fast, smooth and safe, and the steering is beautiful.

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Yes, there is a little body roll but this is a high-riding family car and it’s well controlled.

I’m confident the upcoming ST will be worthy of the badge.

Other observations. The seat is a little too high in the Titanium for my liking.

The sportier ST-Line has   different seats which feel a little lower and therefore better.

The interior trim is nicer, too, with fake carbon inserts, red stitching and black headlining.

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And you might notice the body-colored wheel arches on the blue ST-Line.  Prices from £21,795. Ford will add a posh Puma ST-Line X  Vignale in the next few months — the first time it has combined the two trim levels.

The badging on the boot should be interesting.

So, how does Puma compare against crossover rivals like the revamped Nissan Juke, VW T-Cross or Kia Stonic?

You’d be happy in any of them but the Puma has that magic MegaBox, excellent standard kit, hybrid tech and the best  handling by some distance.

It’ll also carry Jimmy’s fish.

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