Review of the new Ford C-MAX TDCI Diesel Range

When designing a mini-MPV, there are a vast array of options open to car manufacturers. They can maximise interior space but this normally comes at the expense of driveability and style. Ford's recent renaissance has been built upon making cars that are a delight to drive, so it's no surprise that their C-MAX mini-MPV doesn't resemble a hulking breezeblock. So subtle are its lines that many would have to glance twice to distinguish it from its hatchback sibling. With a frugal TDCI common rail diesel engine up front, the C-MAX proves both economical and acceptably quick. But will it be enough to steal sales form a well-established bunch of rivals?

Ford have thought long and hard about this car since its original launch, hence the recent styling changes and the dropping of the 'Focus' name from the title. The looks are a good deal less introverted these days with a redesigned front end that includes design elements from the S-MAX - most notably, the lower trapezoid front grille, a redesigned upper grille, headlights and tail lamps. Specify the optional bi-xenon lights and a light strip runs across the top line of the lamp unit. It's all rather Audi, as are the LED tail lights.

The 1.6-litre diesel that props up the C-MAX TDCi range we're looking at here is a common rail injection unit and, like the 1.8 and 2.0-litre TDCi powerplants, was developed in conjunction with Peugeot and Citroen, drawing on both company's shared expertise in the field. Ford's Centre for Diesel Excellence at Dagenham has become a well-respected think tank when it comes to state of the art oil burning engines and the latest TDCi units do its reputation no harm. The 1.6-litre engine is primarily aimed at customers with an eye on fuel economy, and will return a very creditable 57.6mpg on the combined cycle while emitting just 119 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometre travelled.

Despite the focus on frugality, it'll still zip to 60mph in 11 seconds and run on to a top speed of 116mph. Torque is delivered from very low in the rev range and this makes the C-MAX TDCi 1.6 agreeably quick off the mark when you need to accelerate out of a T-junction into flowing traffic. The 1.8-litre TDCi engine develops 113bhp, is fractionally quicker to 60mph and has a 125mph top speed. Choose this option and you can expect 52mpg fuel economy.

"Ford's Centre for Diesel Excellence at Dagenham has become a well respected think tank"

If you really want to take advantage of the Focus C-MAX's excellent dynamics, the punchy 134bhp 2.0-litre TDCi engine makes a capable partner. Backed up by a six-speed gearshift, this unit develops more torque than a Porsche Boxster. This means that as long as you keep the needle in the sweet spot around 2,000rpm, you'll have plenty of acceleration in reserve whether it's just you at the wheel or even if the car is fully stacked. It gets to 60mph in 9.3 seconds and will hit 125mph where conditions permit. Despite this muscle at the command of your right foot, the 2.0-litre model still manages an average of just under 49mpg and emits 154g/km of CO2.

Prices start at around £16,000 but the thing that may prove a deal breaker to some customers is the fact that whereas the Volkswagen Touran can be specified with seven seats and the Renault Grand Scenic is also thus equipped, the C-MAX only offers five seats. This raises a perplexing question. Just as the Ford Fusion has found little favour with buyers who couldn't really see what it offered over and above a normal Fiesta, there may well be a significant proportion of potential C-MAX customers who can't see the point of a car that seats no more bodies than a cooking Focus hatch.

If the exterior may still be a little low key, the C-MAX more than makes up for it with the ideas factory that is the cabin. Although it's not available on entry-level versions, Ford's rear seat flexibility system really is the ace in the C-MAX hole. A 40-20-40 "tip and tumble" rear seat sees the centre section flip rearwards into the luggage compartment, leaving the remaining two seats to slide diagonally along a runner towards the centre of the car, giving unprecedented levels of space for four. The rear seats are set high, which does away with the usual mini-MPV complaint of virtually sitting on the floor and means that the kids get a great view forward. The flipside to this is that if you're regularly carting taller passengers about, that sloping roofline may cause a few grumbles.

With 100mm of extra legroom and 60mm of additional shoulder room over the standard Focus hatch, space is otherwise pretty generous in the back of the C-MAX. Even in the standard three-abreast bench position there's plenty of room, offering 946mm of legroom and 582 litres of luggage compartment space. Remove the rear seats altogether and there's a monstrous 1,692 litres available. One trick Ford did miss was the ability to tumble the front passenger seat forward to a flat position. The fascia design of the C-MAX reflects the exterior lines in its calm maturity. The riot of bisecting lines, angles and arcs that the Focus introduced have been replaced by a quietly styled dashboard with classy Sony branded stereo equipment taking pride of place. The gearlever is mounted high and feels more natural than a floor mounted stick. Materials quality has taken a noticeable hike too, the soft touch plastics used on the upper dash surface being reminiscent of latter day Audis.

The C-MAX TDCi versions have a great deal going for them with economical engines, some clever ideas inside and a great ride and handling set up. The styling is low key inside and out and without seven seats to offer as a carrot, it's difficult to see hordes of buyers trading up from Focus hatches into C-MAX mini-MPVs. Perhaps Ford's historical lack of commitment to the mini-MPV sector has bled over into the development of the C-MAX. With a little more rear legroom and a little more utility, the C-MAX seems almost apologetic at what it has become. Still, there's no shortage of mini-MPV buyers who feel the same way and feel as if family commitments have grudgingly forced them into buying such a vehicle. If so, the C-MAX TDCi models may make a perfect marriage of malcontents.

TOP 5 C-MAX DEALS

The results below show the top C-MAX deals on buyacar

Ford C-MAX 1.6 TDCi Titanium 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £16,667 Read C-MAX Reviews	Save £3,778
Ford C-MAX 1.6 EcoBoost Titanium 5dr [Start/Stop] Estate
Price £16,846 Read C-MAX Reviews	Save £3,794
Ford C-MAX 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £15,508 Read C-MAX Reviews	Save £3,437
Ford C-MAX 2.0 TDCi Titanium 5dr Powershift Diesel Estate
Price £18,468 Read C-MAX Reviews	Save £4,272
Ford C-MAX 2.0 TDCi Titanium 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £17,499 Read C-MAX Reviews	Save £3,991
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT C-MAX DEALS