In-depth reviews

Ford C-MAX (2011-2019) review

The Ford C-MAX is a five-seat MPV that feels like a hatch to drive and has decent diesel engines

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.0 out of 5

  • Efficient engines
  • Very practical
  • Good to drive
  • Not as versatile as rivals
  • Wind noise
  • Dated cabin
Find your Ford C-MAX
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
From:£9,950 cash
PCP finance available
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

Ford has a strong history when it comes to producing MPVs which offer value for money along with a rewarding drive, and the C-MAX maintains that tradition. It's not as stylish as a Citroen C4 Picasso, or as spacious, but it is one of the best MPV's to drive. That won't be important to some, but being able to transport a family of five and still have some fun behind the wheel is a real bonus.

Elsewhere, the C-MAX is affordable to run and offers enough space inside for any growing family, although i lacks some of the practical touches that help its rivals to pull ahead. And if you need something bigger, you can always turn to the seven-seat Grand C-MAX instead. It's just a shame that in a world obsessed by SUVs that the C-MAX no longer has the desirability to make it attractive to buyers wanting practical family transport.

The Ford C-MAX (and 7 seater Grand C-MAX) sits in the middle of the Ford MPV range for sale in the UK. The smaller B-MAX is Fiesta-based, while the larger S-MAX and Galaxy are both Mondeo-based, so logically the C-MAX is based on the Focus. However, with the popularity of SUVs, sales in the MPV sector aren't what they used to be, and when this generation C-MAX reaches the end of production, it's unlikely to be replaced.

That's a shame, because the C-MAX is one of the better cars in the class. It's good to drive, has plenty of useable space, and if you chose a Titanium model, there's a well equipped interior, too. These plus points help it hold ground against five-seat MPVs such as the Citroen C4 SpaceTourer, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Renault Scenic. The Grand C-MAX has rear seats that are better suited to occasional use, which mean it's more of a rival for the likes of the Kia Carens and VW Touran, rather than the larger Grand versions of the Citroen and Renault.

Choosing between standard and Grand versions of the C-MAX is more than just asking yourself if you need 7 seats, because the Grand model also comes with sliding rear doors, which improve access to the rear seats in tight spaces. Either way, you're looking at a premium of around £1,600 for the Grand C-MAX over the standard model.

Ford has offered 1.6 petrol and 1.6 TDCi and 2.0 TDCi diesels in the C-MAX in the past, but later versions feature either 1.0 or 1.5 EcoBoost petrols or Ford's 1.5 TDCi diesel. The 1.0 EcoBoost is Ford's three-cylinder turbo unit, which comes in 100PS and 125PS forms, but while these engines are torquier than the older 1.6 TiVCT petrol, they might struggle when there's a full complement of passengers and luggage on board. Both engines come with a six-speed manual to make the most of the power available.

• Best MPVs on the market

The 1.5 EcoBoost four cylinder comes as a 150PS unit that has 148bhp, and this comes with a six-speed PowerShift auto as standard. It delivers good performance, but it's not that economical. Instead, we'd go for the 1.5 TDCi 120PS diesel. This has 118bhp and either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto. It has good mid-range performance and more agreeable fuel economy figures than the more powerful petrol 1.5. All cars are front-wheel drive.

A straightforward trim line-up is offered, with Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X variants offered. Every version comes with touchscreen infotainment, heated mirrors and a Quickclear heated windscreen. Keyless starting and cruise control are included on Titanium cars, while part-leather electric seats, panoramic glass and xenon lights are fitted to Titanium X cars. If you want more kit, then Ford offers option packs that bundle desirable extras together to give better value than selecting them individually.

Unfortunately, the decline in popularity of MPVs when compared to SUVs mean that car makers are channeling their expertise in the direction of 4x4s. As a result, Ford has already dropped the B-MAX, while the C-MAX is ending production in 2019, with no direct replacement. If you want a family Ford that's bigger than a Focus, then the Kuga is your next option. And if you want a seven-seat Ford MPV, then the van-based Tourneo Connect might have to fit the brief instead.

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

More on C-MAX

Show me:
Renault Scenic vs Citroen C4 Picasso vs Ford C-MAX
Renault Scenic vs Citroen C4 Picasso vs Ford C-MAX - head-to-head
Car group tests
30 Nov 2016

Renault Scenic vs Citroen C4 Picasso vs Ford C-MAX

Renault hopes to breathe fresh life into the MPV class with its new Scenic. Can it see off the Citroen C4 Picasso and Ford C-MAX?
Used Ford C-MAX review
Ford C-MAX (used) - front
Used car tests
20 Apr 2016

Used Ford C-MAX review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Ford C-MAX covering the C-MAX Mk2 (2010-date)
Ford C-MAX vs Citroen C4 Picasso
Road tests
29 Oct 2015

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
Ford C-MAX 2.0 TDCi Titanium X review
Ford C-MAX - front tracking
Road tests
31 Jul 2015

Ford C-MAX 2.0 TDCi Titanium X review

We get to grips with the Ford C-MAX 2.0 TDCi Titanium X on UK roads. Can its MPV practicality match its driver appeal?
Ford C-MAX Titanium review
Ford C-MAX tracking
Road tests
22 Apr 2015

Ford C-MAX Titanium review

New Ford C-MAX is good to drive, and Titanium trim features plenty of equipment
Ford reveals full pricing for 2015 S-MAX and C-MAX range
News
30 Mar 2015

Ford reveals full pricing for 2015 S-MAX and C-MAX range

Ford's newest MPVs will start from £18,145 for C-MAX and £24,545 for S-MAX, both get raft of new tech and features.
New Ford C-MAX 2014 shown at the Paris Motor Show
Ford Grand C-MAX
News
2 Oct 2014

New Ford C-MAX 2014 shown at the Paris Motor Show

The Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX are next in line for Focus updates - and have been revealed in Paris
Ford C-MAX facelift spotted
News
2 Jul 2014

Ford C-MAX facelift spotted

Ford is getting ready to re-launch its second-generation C-MAX, bringing it in line with the brand’s current design language
Ford C-MAX vs Rivals
Ford C-MAX vs Rivals
Car group tests
3 Dec 2010

Ford C-MAX vs Rivals

We pit the five-seat version of Ford's new C-MAX against its biggest rivals, the established Renault Scenic, and Vauxhall's latest compact MPV, the qu…
Ford Grand C-MAX vs. rivals
Ford Grand C-MAX vs. rivals
Car group tests
3 Dec 2010

Ford Grand C-MAX vs. rivals

Does Ford's all new seven-seater have what it takes to beat the rest?
Ford Grand C-MAX
Ford Grand C-MAX rear corner
Road tests
19 Nov 2010

Ford Grand C-MAX

Verdict as seven-seat version of new MPV hits British roads
Ford C-MAX
Ford C-MAX
Road tests
12 Nov 2010

Ford C-MAX

We give our verdict as diesel version of sporty new compact MPV arrives in Britain
Ford Grand C-MAX
Ford Grand C-MAX
Road tests
22 Sep 2010

Ford Grand C-MAX

Bigger than a C-MAX, smaller than an S-MAX. How does Ford's new seven-seater shape up? We took to the road to find out
Ford C-MAX
Ford C-MAX front track
Road tests
20 Sep 2010

Ford C-MAX

Ford's stylish, practical and superb to drive – all-new compact MPV is hard to fault.
Ford C-MAX
Ford C-MAX
In-depth reviews
29 Jun 2007

Ford C-MAX

The facelifted Ford brings an even higher quality to the market.
Ford C-MAX v Citroen C4 Picasso v SEAT Altea XL
Car group tests
16 May 2007

Ford C-MAX v Citroen C4 Picasso v SEAT Altea XL

To find out what Ford's C-MAX is made of, we pitch it against the Citroen C4 Picasso and SEAT Altea XL...
Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCi Zetec
Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCi Zetec
Road tests
8 May 2007

Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCi Zetec

The Ford C-Max gets a well-deserved facelift and improved cabin quality
Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCi Titanium
Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCi Titanium
Road tests
1 May 2007

Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCi Titanium

The Ford C-Max come with more equipment and a better road presence than before
Ford Focus C-MAX
Front view of Ford Focus C-MAX
Used car tests
8 Feb 2005

Ford Focus C-MAX

Sold as the people carrier for people who don't want one, is the Ford Focus C-MAX a tempting used buy?
Ford C-MAX Zetec Durashift CVT
Road tests
9 Mar 2004

Ford C-MAX Zetec Durashift CVT

While the Fiesta and Fusion have been treated to two new gearboxes, Ford has also set its engineers to work on a new Continuously Variable Transmissio…
Ford Focus C-MAX LX
Road tests
10 Feb 2004

Ford Focus C-MAX LX

Brushed Alcantara and leather bucket seats might look great in the showroom, but it's a well known fact that luxury trim and hide are no match for a y…
Ford Focus C-MAX
Long-term tests
13 Jan 2004

Ford Focus C-MAX

Confession time. I've never been a fan of MPVs. To my mind, cars should allow you to get away from screaming kids - not force you to sit in an enclose…