Ford C-Max

Ford C-Max at a glance

The C-Max is a monocoque compact MPV with a transverse engine and front-wheel drive, built on Ford's Global C platform shared with the Focus. More Ford models are listed in our Ford catalogue.

History

The original Focus C-Max made its debut on Ford's C-segment platform in 2002 and dropped the Focus name in 2006. In 2009 the second generation arrived with a seven-seat Grand version, and it became popular in Europe, with more than 80,000 sales a year at its peak. Six years later the car was updated again, at the 2014 Paris motor show: it moved closer to the brand's current styling, gained more equipment and new engines.

Second generation (2009–2019)

Exterior

Despite its family role, the updated second-generation C-Max looks rather aggressive — a trend followed by many brands. The front has revised headlights with projector lenses and a chrome trapezoidal grille that makes the car look more elegant and expressive. The large bumper continues the grille with intakes in its lower part, and flat fog lamps sit at its corners. The designers took the seventh-generation Ford Fiesta and the 2015 Ford Focus, built on the same platform, as their references.

The profile has sharp, crisp lines. The upper crease starts just ahead of the door handle and swells towards the tail lights, while a strong lower crease and pronounced wheel arches add muscle. The window line has a chrome strip, and the indicators sit unusually at the tips of the mirrors. Ground clearance is an average 140 mm. Base versions have 16-inch wheels, with 18- and even 19-inch wheels available. Overall, Ford managed to break the usual minivan stereotypes.

At the rear, oval tail lights with angular edges, partly mounted on the large tailgate, are filled with LEDs. The bumper has reflectors in its plastic protection, an integrated diffuser and exhaust tips. An optional hands-free tailgate opens with a kick under the rear bumper, but only when the key is in the pocket of the person standing next to it.

Interior

The interior shares many elements with the third-generation Focus. This is an affordable car, so the materials are not luxurious, and even the leather versions are of modest quality, but build quality is excellent, without squeaks or rattles. The three-spoke leather steering wheel has buttons on the spokes and separate cruise-control switches. Three chrome-ringed instrument dials show the rev counter on the left and the speedometer on the right, with fuel and temperature gauges at the bottom centre and a large trip-computer display in the middle.

The centre console houses an 8-inch SYNC 2 infotainment system with navigation, controlled by buttons on an almost horizontal panel around the screen. Below are many switches for the climate system, air conditioning and heated steering wheel and seats. The gear lever is well placed at the transition to the tunnel, which is simple, with a recess with two movable dividers for drinks and the handbrake lever. There is plenty of storage, including holders for bottles from 0.4 to 1 litre.

The C-Max seats five, with enough space for everyone. The Grand C-Max is 140 mm longer and has two extra seats in the rear at the expense of luggage space; the third row is suitable only for children, and many owners keep it folded and use it when needed. The power tailgate works with keyless entry. The five-seat C-Max has a 432-litre boot, while the Grand offers just 65 litres with all seven seats in use. With the rear seats out of the way, the C-Max offers 1,723 litres and the Grand 1,867 litres.

Engines and transmissions

Gearboxes are five- or six-speed (Durashift) manuals or a six-speed PowerShift automated gearbox developed with Getrag. All drive the front wheels. According to Ford, the second-generation C-Max was the first in its class with Torque Vectoring Control.

Chassis

The second C-Max is built on a revised version of Ford's front-wheel-drive Global C platform, with MacPherson struts on a subframe at the front and Ford's Control Blade multi-link rear suspension. The body is 53% high-strength steel. Rack-and-pinion steering has electric assistance, and the brakes are discs all round (ventilated at the front) with ABS and EBD. The 2014 update brought retuned suspension and steering, less vibration and much better sound insulation thanks to thicker side glass and extra sound-deadening material in the cabin and engine bay.

Safety and equipment

Base versions have six airbags, an audio system, ABS and EBD, hill-start assist, ESP and traction control, electric windows, air conditioning, fabric upholstery and 16-inch wheels.

Key specifications (second generation)

Strengths and weaknesses

The updated C-Max is a very good family car with two main advantages: space and reliability. It also offers compact dimensions, stylish design, modern technology and a good level of equipment. The modest ground clearance, however, can be a problem on poor roads. Rivals include the Opel Zafira, Renault Grand Scénic, Volkswagen Touran and Mazda 5.