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Road tests

Ford C-MAX vs Citroen C4 Picasso

Has Ford's new five-seater C-MAX got what it takes to win the people carrier space race? We pitch it against Citroen's C4 Picasso

People carriers have fallen out of favour over the last few years, as the rise of the crossover continues unabated.

For many car buyers, the boxy bodystyles can’t compete with SUVs, which offer more svelte style and a similar amount of space at the same price. However, the class isn’t dead yet, and Ford is aiming to prove this with its facelifted five-seat C-MAX.

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The new car benefits from the same upgrades as the revised Focus, which means that along with a few subtle styling updates and some mechanical enhancements, the C-MAX gets Ford’s much-improved SYNC2 infotainment system. However, it’ll have its work cut out here, as it’s going up against a tough rival.

The Citroen C4 Picasso is our favourite five-seat MPV and has received plenty of commendations in its class over recent years at the Auto Express New Car Awards.

Up until now, the Picasso has topped the people carrier sector thanks to an unmatched blend of design, efficiency, space and affordability. But can it still reign supreme against the new C-MAX when it comes to family focused flexibility?

Head to head

Infotainment

Ford has addressed one of the major flaws of the old C-MAX with its new multimedia system. But the Citroen’s twin-screen set-up (below) still works well – split between a widescreen display up top and a touchscreen below. It might not be quite as quick or user-friendly as the Ford’s unit, but it’s visible from every seat, which is a nice touch.

Design

Parked side-by-side, it’s the older Citroen that looks like the fresher-faced car, even with the Ford’s design alterations. This proves that buying an MPV doesn’t mean you’re limited to bland boxes. The C4’s design is unusual and attracts attention, but it works ergonomically.

Flexibility

Our C-MAX was fitted with a hands-free power tailgate. Wave your foot under the bumper, and it opens automatically – it’s just a shame the space revealed isn’t as practical. The same feature isn’t available on the C4 Picasso, although the tailgate is powered.

Verdict

1st Place: Citroen C4 Picasso

An MPV is about practicality and versatility, and it’s here where the C4 Picasso excels. It has a bigger boot than the Ford in five-seat form, more room inside and a host of clever touches that make family life easy. Plus, it’s a more wallet-friendly proposition than the C-MAX. And although it’s slower, this 1.6 diesel auto car still offers enough performance to work in the real world.

2nd Place: Ford C-MAX

It might still be the class leader for driver appeal, but the C-MAX simply can’t match the Citroen’s level of flexibility, efficiency and style. There’s no doubt this is an improvement on the old model, with spruced-up styling and extra tech adding more appeal, but unfortunately for Ford, the funkier Picasso has more substance to match its style, which is where it counts.

Other options in this category

Toyota Verso Excel 1.6 D-4D - Price: £24,495 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl 109bhp

The cheaper Toyota boasts two extra seats over our test cars. You can leave these folded if boot space is a priority, but it’s still useful to have them. Excel trim gets kit to match its rivals, but there’s no auto option on the D-4D.

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SEAT Leon ST FR 2.0 TDI 150 DSG - Price: £24,700 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 148bhp

You could make a saving and go for a top-spec SEAT Leon estate instead. The 148bhp TDI is punchy and efficient, plus the DSG auto is one of the best around. A roomy cabin and a 587-litre boot mean it’s practical, too.

Figures

 Citroen C4 Picasso BlueHDi 120 EAT6 Exclusiv+Ford C-MAX Titanium X 2.0 TDCi PowerShift
On-the-road price/total as tested£25,795/£27,065£26,145/£28,245
Residual value (after 3yrs/30,000)£10,674/41.4%£11,093/42.4%
Depreciation£15,121£15,052
Annual tax liability std/higher rate£927/£1,853£1,148/£2,296
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)£1,197/£1,994£1,418/£2,363
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost20/£603/B/£2027/£580/D/£110
Servicing costs£400 (3yrs)£590 (3yrs)
   
Length/wheelbase4,428/2,785mm4,380/2,702mm
Height/width1,625/1,826mm1,626/1,828mm
Engine4cyl in-line/1,560cc4cyl in-line/1,499cc
Peak power 118/3,500 bhp/rpm148/6,000 bhp/rpm
Peak torque 300/1,750 Nm/rpm370/1,600 Nm/rpm
Transmission 6-spd auto/fwd6-spd auto/fwd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel55 litres/repair kit60 litres/space-saver
Boot capacity (seats up/down) 537-630/1,851 litres432/1,684 litres
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight1,555/420/1,600kg1,519/531/1,500kg
Turning circle/drag coefficient10.8 metres/N/A10.7 metres/N/A
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery3yrs (60,000)/1yr3yrs (60,000)/1yr
Service intervals/UK dealers20,000 miles (1yr)/19612,500 miles (1yr)/781
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos.20th/9th25th/26th
NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars86/88/68/81/5 (2013)92/83/50/71/5 (2010)
   
0-60/30-70mph10.8/11.5 seconds9.2/9.1 seconds
30-50mph in 3rd/4th 4.3/5.5 seconds3.7/5.6 seconds
50-70mph in 5th/6th 9.4/13.6 seconds9.0/12.1 seconds
Top speed/rpm at 70mph 117mph/2,000rpm126mph/1,700rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 50.8/34.5/9.3m53.1/38.5/9.9m
Noise levels outside/idle/30/70mph73/52/63/70dB79/54/65/71dB
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range50.0/11.0/605 miles42.2/9.3/557 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined64.2/78.5/72.4mpg51.4/64.2/58.9mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined14.1/17.3/15.9mpl11.3/14.1/13.0mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket151/101g/km/18%179/124g/km/22%
   
Airbags/Isofix/parking sens/cameraSix/yes/yes/yesSix/yes/£225/£165
Automatic box/stability/cruise controlYes/yes/yesYes/yes/yes
Climate control/leather/heated seatsYes/£1,750*/£1,750*Yes/£600/yes
Metallic paint/xenon lights/keyless go£520/£750/yes£525/yes/£700
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/BluetoothYes/yes/yes/yes£250/yes/yes/yes
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