Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Ford C-MAX

Ford's stylish, practical and superb to drive – all-new compact MPV is hard to fault.

Ford C-MAX front track

By Joaquim Oliveira

September 2010

It’s the Ford that distills the looks and driveability of a Focus into an even more family-friendly package – and Auto Express has driven it! This is the all-new C-MAX, the first in a series of vehicles based on the next Focus. Available as a five-seater, or a seven-seat Grand C-MAX version, has the blue oval covered all bases?

We drove the five-seater C-MAX, and while it lacks the seven-seater’s sliding rear doors and extra row of seats, it’s better looking. With its inverted trapezoidal grille, sharp headlights and tail-lights, and sleek, athletic shape, it’s proof that compact MPVs can be stylish.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Ford C-MAX

 

The interior exceeds expectations, too. Its multi-layered dashboard uses a mobile phone-inspired centre console, and the upper surfaces are covered in soft-touch materials. Chrome accents are applied to the door handles, instrument dials and gearshift selector surroundings.

Opt for the higher of the two trim grades, Titanium, and you also get dual-zone air-conditioning, LED ambient lighting and a full-length panoramic roof. Driver aids such as Active Park Assist, which automatically steers the vehicle into parking spaces, and blind spot monitoring also make their debut.

Despite its sleek design, the C-MAX has the same boot space as its predecessor – 471 litres with the rear seats in place, or a cavernous 1,723 litres with them removed. The three rear seats split 40/20/40, and the centre one can be folded away. The outer seats slide backwards and inwards to create a more spacious 2+2 layout.

In corners, the C-MAX is a class act. Wider front and rear tracks boost stability, while new front suspension and anti-roll bars make the car supremely balanced – restricting body movement but maintaining a high degree of comfort.

A stiffer chassis for added agility, plus torque vectoring and a more communicative steering rack, make the C-MAX the new benchmark in its class from behind the wheel. It bodes well for the new Focus, on sale in January 2011.

As does the new 148bhp 1.6-litre direct-injection EcoBoost engine, which is smooth and free from turbo lag. Throttle response is razor sharp, thanks to 95 per cent of power being available from 1,500rpm until 5,500rpm. The 240Nm of torque is also boosted to 270Nm during full-throttle acceleration – perfect for overtaking manoeuvres.
 
The new six-speed manual gearbox is fast, precise and geared to make the most of the rev-hungry engine. A twin-clutch PowerShift gearbox is an option only on the range-topping 138bhp 2.0-litre TDCi variant.

Prices start at £16,745 – £1,225 more than the cheapest Renault Scenic. But for that, you’re getting the best looking, finest handling and most desirable car in the compact MPV segment.

Rival: Renault Scenic
The car that started the compact MPV trend is now in its third generation, and still going strong. Despite a bland exterior, the Renault has a spacious cabin and is excellent value for money.

For an alternative review of the latest Ford C-MAX visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

16 Comments

Blaghhhh, Sanky colour and the interior looks cheap to me and not sure where you get the sporty exterior ideas from?

Bearing in mind I drive a Ford and I'm a converted fan and ex Ford hater, I just hope it drives as well as you say! I would be keen to see it in Titanium trim in a less offensive colour!

By Focus_your_mind on 21 September, 2010, 5:31pm

Dam!

This car fixes all the things wrong with the present model. I only wish I was still selling Fords!

By no_1fordfan on 21 September, 2010, 5:58pm

the steering wheel looks massive...

By koupekid on 21 September, 2010, 7:53pm

Interior better, but outside?

Well, the dash looks pretty swish, but I'm not too keen on the rear-end. Nothing like as sleek as the rather neat current model, with those safe high-level lights blending into the pillars.

I recall the previous Focus was previewed in the C-Max, so Ford is doing it again!

By spindler1955 on 21 September, 2010, 11:34pm

"Best-looking" ....Really? That rear-end is very unhappy...see it on the 7-seat versions and your eyes will hurt.

By Alfamonk on 22 September, 2010, 12:18pm

Seen the rear end of the 7 seater. My eyes are fine.

By hampson10 on 23 September, 2010, 8:17am

... (0.0) ...

...and finally Mr Jones, the C-Max is available in a range of interesting colours: Bruise Purple, Fecal Brown, Murder Red and Vomit Yellow...

p.s I think the previous model is much easier on the eye.

By sgtgrash on 23 September, 2010, 8:17am

Looks like a big Kia Venga?

By rodneyclausen on 23 September, 2010, 8:53am

Yuk

And it is a Ford!!! Double Yuk

By Carmad3 on 23 September, 2010, 12:08pm

Design Disaster

In the space of two model generations Ford have gone from genuinly interesting, stylish and elegant, to gimmicky dross. First, why that gaping big black hole at the front, giving the car the countenance of a gormless drop jawed adolescent. Second, one wonders if the 'designer ' of the dashboard, has driven a car ?. It appears to follow the 1970's North Korean school of ghetto blaster design - truly horrid. Thirdly, the front looks non too spacious......... etc etc etc

By deshill1 on 24 September, 2010, 12:36am

hello

Hey there, I find an amazing web,please click the web ,you can find big pleasantly surprised
╭⌒╮WELCOME http://www.voguecatch.com
----- ~ ¤ ╭⌒╮ ╭⌒╮
╭⌒╭⌒╮╭⌒╮～╭⌒╮ HANDBAG 35$
,））））,''）~~ ,''~）
╱◥█◣ ╱◥█◣ SHOES 35$
｜田｜田｜｜田｜田｜ CLOTH 15$
╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬ 2010 NEW
input this URL:
(http://www.voguecatch.com)
you can find many cheap and fashion stuff
jordan air max oakland raiders --39;
Ed Hardy AF JUICY POLO Bikini ;
Handbags (Coach lv fendi d&g)
T shirts (Polo ,edhardy,lacoste)
Jean(True Religion,edhardy,coogi)
Sunglasses (Oakey,coach,gucci,Armaini)
New era cap
Bikini (Ed hardy,polo)
(http://www.voguecatch.com)
WE ACCEPT PYAPAL PAYMENT and credit card payment
DELIVERY TO YOU DOOR TO DOOR
Free Shipping

By lindaly on 25 September, 2010, 1:40pm

Obese teenager

Front looks like an obese pizza stuffing teenager with a double chin. The dash is pure Korean (without the 7 year guarantee). Two Focus's ago Ford had a clever sophisticated dash that still sets a standard. This is not just backward, it's downward. Aren't you supposed to build on the past, not kick it in the crutch?

By Tooyoo on 25 September, 2010, 6:19pm

Fantastic new design, not again!

Interiour design is what counts for me and it looks like I'd be driving in a transistor. Sorry, it pulls my eyes together (again like Ford's "New Edge Design" did years ago), it's disturbingly overdesigned and it ooks cheap.
In my experience, some designs at first sight look WOW!, but people get very quickly tired of violeence over their eyes.
Why can't Ford just stop experimenting on their customers and just make simply good, stylish (perhaps bit more classy) interiour in wich could feel comfortable for few years or luckily more.

By daregre on 12 October, 2010, 8:45am

... and outside - it realy looks like oversized Kia Venga like rodneyclausen says.

By daregre on 12 October, 2010, 8:50am

It's like Ford and Vauxhall have swapped places...

Take a look at the new Zafira then quietly slide this monstrosity into the recycle bin...

Yes, I'm well aware that I've not been very kind to Vauxhall in the past, but they have certainly upped their game...

"That'll be 40 lashes for sgtgrash please Mr Christian..." (0.0)

By sgtgrash on 3 December, 2010, 1:16am

You guys stick with your bland!

This is exactly what a modern car SHOULD be like, fords present Focus and C-Max are seriously lacking any kind of style!
The new C-Max is stunning and I have seen it in the flesh, the interior quality is several steps up, the style in the flesh is up-to-date, sleek, very nice, and there is PLENTY of room in the front so I have no idea where that one came from! Ford have tried with this, they actually DESIGN cars rather than just line everything up like they did in the past, I'm sorry but if you would rate the previous C-Max over this then you really don't "get" it, and that is sad, but your loss!

By cartmanuk_24 on 11 December, 2010, 7:10pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

More FORD C-MAX articles


Related Index Pages

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Ford C-MAX rear tracking
Ford C-MAX interior
Ford C-MAX rear bench
Ford C-MAX folding seats
Ford C-MAX camera
Ford C-MAX engine

Sponsored Results

Find New Cars

Find your new Ford C-MAX with our new car search:

Find New Cars

FIRST OPINION

    If ever there was proof that desirability and driveability can go hand in hand with practicality, the C-MAX is it. From the sculpted and sporty exterior to the well finished, ergonomic interior, the C-MAX shows rivals the way to go. The all-new 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine is impressive – delivering smooth, lag-free acceleration. For small families, the versatile cabin should offer more than enough space. If not, there’s the seven-seat Grand C-MAX – which we’ll be driving in next week’s issue.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £19,745
    Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
    Power/torque: 148bhp/240Nm
    0-62mph: 9.4 seconds
    Top speed: 127mph
    Econ/CO2: 42.8mpg/154g/km
    Equipment: Air-conditioning, DAB radio/CD stereo, auto wipers and headlights, USB connection,hill launch assist, keyless start
    On sale: October
     
    - Advertisement -