Thinking of buying a used Ford C-Max?
The style of the car
The C-Max is a stylish MPV that packs a lot of interior space into a relatively compact exterior. Large doors and a wide-opening boot make it easy to load people and luggage.
How it drives
The C-Max is good to drive, combining agile handling with precise steering. Soft suspension makes it relaxing over long distances. The petrol and diesel engines are quiet and responsive even when the Ford is fully loaded. There’s a smooth manual gearbox or an automatic, which will make life easier in traffic. The C-Max feels compact on the road and it’s easy to park thanks to a high driving position and excellent visibility. It makes a good choice for towing, particularly those fitted with the powerful diesels.
The interior
The five-door and five-seat C-Max is very spacious, up front and in the back. It’s packed with lots of storage space and useful features such as sliding seats and fold-out picnic tables. The boot is big and will take three large suitcases and a pram. There’s even more space with the rear seats folded down. All C-Max models are well-equipped and even entry-level Zetec cars have air con, a heated windscreen and Bluetooth connectivity. Titanium models add more luxurious seat trim and touchscreen infotainment, while the Titanium X features keyless entry and adaptive cruise control, which maintains a safe distance from the car in front on the motorway.
Running costs and reliability
The C-Max makes an excellent used buy thanks to its attractive pricing and good amount of equipment fitted as standard. High fuel economy and low annual tax bills make the petrol and diesel engines cost-effective to run. Servicing is affordable with lots of Ford garages to choose from. Reliability is superb - the C-Max was named ‘Best MPV’ in the JD Power dependability survey. The Ford is a safe choice with Euro NCAP awarding it a five-star rating. This was later reduced, but only because it doesn’t have automatic emergency braking fitted as standard.
How it compares with similar cars
The C-Max is Ford’s mid-sized MPV, so it’s larger than the Ford B-Max but slightly smaller than the seven-seat Ford Grand C-Max. It’s more fun to drive than rivals such as the Citroen C4 Spacetourer and Renault Scenic. The C-Max has won a number of awards, including Auto Express’s Best MPV.
