Graduating to a mini-MPV can be a fraught business. Typical buyers are often at that time of life when the realisation has finally overtaken them that the slinky coupe or cramped hatch just isn't doing it anymore. With a growing family to budget for, it's also a time when the pennies have to be carefully monitored, one reason why the cheaper end of this particular market sector has boomed. In the 1.6-litre versions of their C-MAX mini-MPV, Ford have done everything possible to make the transition as painless as possible. An affordable asking price is allied to car-like handling, excellent build quality and a shape that won't have your friends buying you a pipe and slippers for your next birthday.

The 100bhp 1.6-litre Duratec 16v petrol engine that powers the entry-level model probably won't win many traffic light Grands Prix, accelerating to 60mph in 14.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 107mph but it's nevertheless a very sweet revving and willing powerplant that's fun to zing up to the redline in each gear. Of a little more relevance is an average fuel consumption figure of 41mpg that is anything but average. The CO2 emission figure of 166g/km is also respectable stuff for such a vehicle.

Prices start at £12,995 for the standard 1.6 Studio model that comes replete with six airbags, anti lock brakes, electric windows but no compact disc player. Trade up to the £13,995 Style model and you'll find the archaic tape player has been replaced by a disc slot and you'll also get air conditioning, a trip computer and the comfort seat system. The top of the 1.6-litre line up is the Zetec version that carries a sticker price of £14,995 but adds alloy wheels, privacy glass, body coloured trim and a generally sportier feel to the interior.

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.

"Few mini-MPVs can put a smile on the drivers face. This one does"

Despite the fact that this design offers only 5 seats, it's still very practical. In fact, Ford's rear seat flexibility system remains 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. With 100mm of extra legroom and 60mm of additional shoulder room, even extravagantly dimensioned passengers should be able to find space 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.

Ford's marketing department remains utterly convinced that there's an untapped market for vehicles that offer five seats with MPV-style headroom and versatility but which still offer keen driving dynamics and styling that doesn't resemble a downsized burger van. Think about how we use our cars for a moment. Many of us rarely even use the back seats for anything but shopping bags and jackets. If you've got a family in tow, you may well need four or even five seats but if you seriously need seven seats, it makes sense to go with the additional carrying capacity of a full sized MPV like Ford's Galaxy or S-MAX models.

Ford claim the C-MAX moniker is an amalgam of both the C-segment in which it competes and a combination of maximum comfort, maximum confidence and maximum control. Whilst some of this sounds like marketing flannel, it's a source of great importance for Ford that the C-MAX should uphold the reputation of its Focus progenitor as a sparkling drive. Rumour has it that during the development cycle, an all-electric steering was developed that developed far better feedback than any electric power steering system to date. Thing was, it still wasn't as good as the Focus' existing helm, so despite being undoubtedly clever, it was ditched. Instead Ford uses a hydroelectric pump system that offers great feel and a three per cent fuel saving over conventional systems.

This, coupled with the celebrated control blade rear suspension, ensures that the C-MAX feels a very capable handler. Riding on the chassis of the acclaimed Focus hatch, the C-MAX is the car to go for if you want your MPV to handle. In this respect at least it's as much of a true multi purpose vehicle as anything you care to mention as it offers a very entertaining drive as well as being able to cope with more mundane duties. Few mini-MPVs can put a smile on the drivers face. This one does.

If the concept of a south-east Asian cheapie doesn't appeal, it's worth forking out for one of the C-MAX 1.6 models. The handling and ride are one reason why, the interior build quality another. It's the most affordable of the genuine premier league sector, undercutting the other chief protagonists the Renault Scenic II and the Volkswagen Touran. As a top quality half way house into mini-MPV ownership, the C-MAX 1.6 has a whole lot going for it.

TOP 5 C-MAX DEALS

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

	Ford C-MAX 1.6TDCi Zetec 110 5dr [DPF] Estate
	ETR	Mthly £262	Saving £3,172	Price £14,373
	Ford C-MAX 1.6TDCi Titanium 110 5dr [DPF] Estate
	ETR	Mthly £278	Saving £3,385	Price £15,160
	Ford C-MAX 1.6 Studio 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £204	Saving £2,315	Price £11,230
	Ford C-MAX 1.6 Style 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £221	Saving £2,529	Price £12,016
	Ford C-MAX 1.6TDCi Style 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £230	Saving £2,746	Price £12,799

typical 10.98% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000