For those who want a five-seat vehicle with more space inside than the standard Focus hatchback or saloon, the Focus C-MAX is the answer.
The entry-level Ford C-MAX 1.6 Studio has remote central locking, electric front windows, single CD player with MP3 connectivity and split-folding rear seats. The rest also have air conditioning and alloy wheels whilst Titanium models have electric operation of the rear windows too. Options include metallic paint, panoramic sunroof, multi-disc CD player, Bluetooth, sat-nav, parking sensors and leather upholstery for most models. Automatic transmission is a £1,000 option on the two-litre petrol versions.
The Ford C-MAX has a four-star rating for child occupant protection from EuroNCAP, which also awarded the vehicle a four-star rating for adult occupant protection. All models have anti-lock brakes plus front, side and curtain air bags, three-point safety belts for all and ISOFIX child seat mountings.
All Ford C-MAX models are available with Electronic stability programme and traction control plus parking sensors. CO2 emissions range from 127g/km for the 1.6 TDCi 90 and 129g/km for the 1.6 TDCi 110 to 154g/km for the 2.0 TDCi DPF and 169g/km for the 1.8-litre petrol models.
The Ford C-MAX drives exceptionally well, which is hardly surprising for a Focus-based model, thanks to its excellent chassis-engineering and fine engines. The C-MAX 1.6-litre petrol models have a power output of 98bhp to give the vehicle a top speed of 109mph, acceleration to 60mph in 12.9 seconds and economy of 40.9mpg. The C-MAX 1.8 raises power to 123bhp, which lifts the top speed to 121mph and reduces the 0-60mph time to 10.8 seconds whilst still achieving impressive economy of 39.8mpg. Performance increases significantly with the 2.0, which has a power output of 143bhp for a top speed of 126mph, a 0-60mph acceleration time of 9.8 seconds and economy averaging 38.7mpg. Economy rises to 58.9mpg with the 1.6 TDCi 90, which has a torque figure of 158lb/ft to endow the car with 108mph performance. The 110bhp version lifts the top speed to 115mph and it rises again to 117mph in the case of the 1.8 TDCi 115, which has a torque figure of 206lb/ft and 52.3mpg economy. The 2.0 TDCi boasts stomping pulling power of 236lb/ft to give a top speed of 124mph and economy of 48.7mph with sprightly acceleration to 60mph in 9.6 seconds.
The Ford C-MAX range starts with the 1.6-litre petrol model with Studio trim and equipment and a price tag of £13,845. This model then adopts the Style and Zetec trim levels that add £1,000 in steps throughout the range, with all of the others also having the most luxurious Titanium option for a further £1,000.
The 1.8 Style is £15,345 with the more-lavishly equipped Zetec and Titanium versions, therefore, taking the price up to £17,345. The 1.8 FFV Style is £15,345, the 2.0 Zetec is £16,845 whilst the 1.6 TDCi Style is £15,845. The more powerful 1.6 TDCi 110 and 1.8 TDCi 115 cost the same at £16,845 in style guise and progress through Zetec and Titanium levels with the same £1,000 increments.
The 2.0 TDCi Zetec costs £18,595 whilst the 2.0 TDCi DPF Zetec is £18,895 with Titanium versions of both costing the usual £1,000 more