Ford B-MAX review - Practicality, comfort and boot space
Sliding doors are a highlight, while passenger and boot space are great for a car of this size.
Practicality is the trump card of the Ford B-MAX. From the outset it has been designed to cater for buyers who want something bigger than a Ford Fiesta, and Ford decided to make the most of this by including those sliding doors in the design. It can seat five easily, although back seat space can be a bit of a squeeze for three adults, while the high driving position mean it's pretty easy to get in and out of.
SizeThe B-MAX measures in at 4,077mm long, 2,067mm wide and 1,604mm tall, so it's slightly larger than the Fiesta on which it's based, but clever packaging means it's nearly as practical as the even larger C-MAX. By eliminating the B-pillars, Ford has given the B-MAX side openings that measure 1.5 metres wide, and make access to the cabin a breeze. As there's no back door to contend with, you can fit child seats easily, and there's lots of room so you can ensure children are buckled up properly in the back.
Legroom, headroom, passenger space
The B-MAX's tall body means there's plenty of headroom, and it's easy to get in and out of the car because it has a higher seating position than the Fiesta. Space in the cabin is good, although three adults may find it a bit of a squeeze for shoulder space in the back. But again, the square body means headroom is fine, even if you go for the Titanium X with its panoramic glass roof. Unlike some rivals, the B-MAX isn't offered with sliding back seats.
Boot
Folding the rear seats in the Ford B-MAX is simple and increases the boot size from 318 litres to 1,386 litres, and features a completely flat boot floor. However, while the space available is useful, it's not as big as rivals such as the Kia Venga (440 litres) and Citroen C3 Picasso (500 litres).
On the plus side, all versions of the B-MAX feature a folding front passenger seat, so you can load items up to 2.35 metres long. The boot in the Ford B-MAX is flat and well shaped, plus it gets a false floor to hide valuables underneath, or you can remove the floor for maximum room. You get a tyre repair kit as standard in the B-MAX, but if you add the optional space-saver spare, boot space drops to 304 litres, or 1,372 litres with the back seats folded.
