Ford’s second-generation C-Max offers more interior space, especially upwards, and some cunning seating, for the same footprint space as their Focus hatchback; running on the same chassis as it does. But, it’s not just a taller Focus; there’s plenty of engineering tuning under the bigger skin to handle the increase in weight and the higher centre of gravity.

The new C-Max range starts at £17,665, but, today, we’re trying it out in the range-topping Titanium trim with a quite powerful 2-litre turbodiesel engine and lots of optional extras including a full leather interior, power tailgate, sat-nav with rear view camera, and a panoramic sunroof. The total price of this TotallyMotor test car is £27,325. This car’s combined economy is quoted at 50.4mpg; CO2 at 149g/km.

Ford C-Max Titanium 2.0 Duratorq TDCi 140PS road test review

First impressions:
Perhaps not quite as well-proportioned as the very pleasantly-packaged Focus hatchback, but for families looking for spacious practicality, overall styling is of secondary importance to the large and airy inner C-Max space – especially under that panoramic sunroof.

Saying that, C-Max is modern, chiselled and solid-looking. The Mars Red metallic paint on this test car is a £525 optional extra.

Into the interior:
We can see plenty of Focus influence inside the new C-Max; namely the dashboard detailing and clocks, the centre console, heater controls, steering wheel, and, most importantly, the calming baby-blue clock needles. Also right in front of the driver is Ford’s latest in-dash colour screen that provides a whole host of safety and convenience information.

On top of being a range-topping Titanium, this C-Max sports a full leather interior – part of the optional Titanium X Pack – and the front seats are heated while the driver enjoys electric seat adjustment.

It’s all nicely stitched and modern – if perhaps a little plain in design – and it’s hard to fault Ford’s latest generation of cars for seating comfort and ergonomics. The Focus and Fiesta were particularly impressive for me – at 6’ 4” – and with this C-Max also offering lumbar support adjustment, I found a spot on seating position. My only complaint here would be less than generous-feeling left knee space; knocking my knobbly against the centre console.

Headroom is plentiful and there are plenty of clever seating options to play with inside the C-Max – including the option to change the layout from decent 5-seater to full-space 4-seater with a bit of seat sliding and clicking. The boot is large and square, too.

The drive:
It wouldn’t be entirely fair to compare the C-Max to the Focus, even though they share similarities in chassis engineering, and while the Focus is in the very best of the bunch for everyday handling, the C-Max doesn’t let the Ford side down, either.

Sure, C-Max carries some more weight with its extra, practicality-focused bodywork, but the Ford chassis engineers are on a roll right now and C-Max feels controlled and planted when hustled. And a chassis in control is the very basics of vehicle safety.

There’s a nice weight and directness to the steering and the controlled yet reasonably compliant suspension does an impressive job of pushing the big alloy wheels into the tarmac. Hit the powerful brakes hard in the C-Max and the full-stop never feels like it’s going to get out of shape.

The 2-litre turbodiesel engine has plenty of grunt – 140bhp – to scare the kids, and while the 6-speed automatic gearbox does a smooth and quiet job of things around town, I found switching it to ‘Sport’ mode to control the shift myself improved enjoyment for faster driving. But, for smoothness and economy, let the ‘box do the shifting. Ford quote the 62mph sprint at 10.1secs and this C-Max will march on to 124mph.

Ford also quote a combined economy figure of 50.4mpg, but 40mpg or a touch more was the best I could manage during my week with the C-Max.

Ten second sum up:
Ford’s latest C-Max offers family-focused flavour with its extra interior 5-seater space, but it takes up no more room on the drive than a Focus hatchback. It isn’t the cheapest in town, but if you really need that extra space and don’t want your car to handle like a minibus, it’s well worth a look.

Prices and availability:
The new Ford C-Max range starts at £17,665 for the Zetec 1.6 petrol 105PS 5-speed manual. Price as tested, £27,325, for the Titanium 2.0 Duratorq TDCi diesel with a 6-speed automatic gearbox and a long list of optional extras. Available now.

www.ford.co.uk

Words & pics: Daniel Anslow

Follow us @TotallyMotor