Ford C-MAX (2010-present)
The Ford C-MAX is a taller and more practical version of the Ford Focus family hatchback
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Weaknesses
Ford C-Max Diesel Estate 1.5 tdci titanium x navigation 5dr powershift
Total RRP £28,830
Your quote £24,821
You Save £4,009
The five-seater Ford C-MAX is a people carrier: a larger and more practical version of the Ford Focus hatchback.
Unlike some people carriers such as the Citroen C4 Picasso and Renault Scenic, the C-Max looks more like a car than a small minibus, but still has a good amount of passenger and luggage room.
But while the C-MAX is undoubtedly very roomy inside, it lacks some of the truly clever and versatile touches found on other Ford people carriers, such as the pillarless layout of the smaller Ford B-MAX and handy sliding doors of the larger Ford Grand C-MAX. This is probably due to the fact it’s an earlier design than those two cars, having been on the market since 2010.
Inside, raised-up seating positions front and rear and large windows ensure all occupants should be comfortable and have great view out, so this is a great car for keeping kids happy on longer journeys. Standard equipment is generous and running costs are low thanks to modern petrol and diesel engines.
As the C-MAX is based on the Ford Focus, it shares that model’s precise steering and sharp handling, so even for a big family car, it’s good fun to drive. Decent suspension means it doesn’t lean too much when going around corners, despite being quite tall.
Ford has an extensive UK dealer network, so while the use proven Ford parts means it’s unlikely your C-MAX will go wrong, getting it seen to in the event of a problem won’t be a hassle – and neither will routine servicing. This is also a safe car, incorporating clever active systems as well as the usual airbags, traction control and ISOFIX child-seat fixtures. It achieved the maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating on its debut in 2010.
Last Updated
Key facts
Warranty: Three years / 60,000 miles | Boot size: 432 litres |
Width: 1828mm | Length: 4380mm |
Height: 1626mm | Tax (min to max): £0 to £30 |
Best Ford C-Max Deals
- Cheapest new
Ford C-MAX 1.0 EcoBoost 125 Titanium 5dr estate
Your price: £16,250 - Biggest reduction
Ford C-MAX 1.5 TDCi Titanium X Navigation 5dr Powershift diesel estate
RRP: £28,830Your price: £24,821Your saving: £4,009 - Cheapest finance
Ford C-MAX 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr diesel estate
Your price: £6,999or £116 per month
Best Ford C-Max for...
Ford C-Max History
October 2010 Goes on sale in UK
May 2013 More efficient EcoBoost petrol engines added to line-up
May 2014 Updated with a refreshed interior and exterior styling
Understanding Ford C-Max car names
- C-Max
- Engine
- 2.0 TDCi
- Trim level
- Titanium X
- Gearbox
- Powershift
- Engine
- Each C-MAX engine is identified by its size, in litres. Diesel versions are badged TDCi, while the petrol engines are labelled EcoBoost.
- Trim level
- Each trim level offers a different amount of standard equipment. Cheapest is Zetec trim, followed by Titanium and then Titanium X.
- Gearbox
- Ford's automatic gearbox is called Powershift.
Ford C-Max Engines
Petrol: 1.0 EcoBoost
Diesel: 1.5 TDCi, 2.0 TDCi
Like most Fords, the C-MAX has benefitted from the company’s range of ‘EcoBoost’ small turbocharged petrol engines. These offer more power than you’d expect given their small size, as well as reasonable running costs. That’s why we recommend the 99bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost for most buyers, but it’s worth trying the more powerful 123bhp version if you expect to be driving with a fully loaded car on a regular basis.
For diesel fans, there’s a wider choice, ranging from the modestly powerful but very efficient 1.5-litre ECOnetic TDCi with 104bhp right up to the 148bhp – a very strong performer. The middle-of-the-road 118bhp non-ECOnetic version will probably strikes the right balance between economy and power for most buyers, however.
If you want an automatic gearbox with your C-MAX, you’re limited to the 118bhp 1.5-litre and 148bhp 2.0-litre engines. Both are relatively expensive options in the context of the overall range and fuel economy isn’t as good with this transmission, either, so only choose it if you have to.
Fuel | Fuel economy | Power | Acceleration | Top speed | |
1.0 EcoBoost | Petrol | 55.4mpg | 99bhp | 0 - 62mph: 12.6s | 108mph |
1.0 EcoBoost | Petrol | 55.4mpg | 123bhp | 0 - 62mph: 11.4s | 116mph |
1.5 TDCi | Diesel | 74.3mpg | 104bhp | 0 - 62mph: 12.1s | 114mph |
1.5 TDCi | Diesel | 67.3 - 68.9mpg | 118bhp | 0 - 62mph: 11.3 - 12.4s | 113 - 114mph |
2.0 TDCi | Diesel | 58.9 - 64.2mpg | 148bhp | 0 - 62mph: 9.5 - 10.3s | 126 - 127mph |
Ford C-Max Trims
Zetec, Titanium, Titanium X
The entry-level Zetec trim level – or version – of the C-MAX doesn’t leave buyers feeling short-changed. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, power-adjustable heated door mirrors, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth air-conditioning, a central front armrest, a heated windscreen, electric front windows, a leather gearknob and steering wheel and hill-start assistance.
We do feel it’s worth making the step up to a C-MAX Titanium if you can afford it, however, as this version brings with it some useful additions, such as automatic headlights, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone air-conditioning, an eight-inch touchscreen interface for the infotainment system and extra overhead storage.
Titanium X feels a bit more superfluous, as well as being quite pricey. But if you feel like splashing out, it boasts eye-catching 17-inch alloy wheels, bright bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, a panoramic glass roof, part-leather sports seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and heating for both front seats.
Ford C-Max Reliability and warranty
Fords sell in big numbers and are generally well thought-of by the car-buying public, but C-MAX owners who responded to the 2015 edition of Auto Express magazine’s Driver Power customer satisfaction survey weren’t particularly happy with their cars’ reliability and build quality. They ranked it 120th and 151st respectively in those categories out of 200 cars looked at. On the plus side, Ford has an extensive dealer network and its parts and labour rates aren’t extortionate, so if your C-MAX does go wrong it won’t break the bank. Warranty cover is only average for the industry, though, at three years and 60,000 miles.
Used Ford C-Max
The C-MAX is unsurprisingly popular on the secondhand market, thanks to its suitability for family motoring, reasonable running costs, generous standard equipment and pretty affordable price. As there are so many of them about, it’s something of a buyer’s market, so residual values aren’t great and you can pick-up a year-old C-MAX for just over 60% of its new list price.
Try to nab a high-spec Titanium or Titanium X version if you can – the original owner will have paid a premium for their extra kit, but you may be able to get one for not much more than the cost of a Zetec model of similar age, mileage and condition.
An ‘approved used’ example from a franchised dealer is always the best route to take when buying a relatively young secondhand car like this. Avoiding older examples also ensures you can get Ford’s latest ‘EcoBoost’ petrol engine technology, for lower running costs and a generally more satisfying driving experience.
List price | BuyaCar new | 1 year old | 2 years old | 3 years old | ||
Best for performance | Price | £23,095 | £19,763 | £15,050 | £12,105 | £11,265 |
Ford C-MAX 2.0 TDCi Titanium 5dr diesel estate | Save | 14% | 35% | 48% | 51% | |
Best for families | Price | £20,895 | £17,915 | £12,370 | £11,330 | £10,530 |
Ford C-MAX 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium 5dr estate | Save | 14% | 41% | 46% | 50% | |
Best for economy | Price | £20,445 | £18,809 | £12,770 | £10,240 | £9,505 |
Ford C-Max Prices
Ford C-Max Titanium
1.0 ecoboost 125 titanium 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £20,871
You could save up to: £3619
1.0 ecoboost 125 titanium navigation 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £21,190
You could save up to: £3650
1.0 ecoboost titanium 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £20,367
You could save up to: £3573
1.0 ecoboost titanium navigation 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £20,686
You could save up to: £3604
1.5 ecoboost titanium 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 36.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £23,064
You could save up to: £3776
1.5 ecoboost titanium nav 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 36.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £23,382
You could save up to: £3808
1.5 tdci titanium 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 68.9mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £21,605
You could save up to: £3695
1.5 tdci titanium 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £22,773
You could save up to: £3807
1.5 tdci titanium navigation 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 68.9mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £21,923
You could save up to: £3727
1.5 tdci titanium navigation 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £23,091
You could save up to: £3839
Ford C-Max Titanium X
1.0 ecoboost 125 titanium x 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £22,600
You could save up to: £3790
1.0 ecoboost 125 titanium x navigation 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £22,919
You could save up to: £3821
1.5 ecoboost titanium x 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 36.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £24,793
You could save up to: £3947
1.5 ecoboost titanium x nav 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 36.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £25,111
You could save up to: £3979
1.5 tdci titanium x 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 68.9mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £23,334
You could save up to: £3866
1.5 tdci titanium x 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £24,502
You could save up to: £3978
1.5 tdci titanium x navigation 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 68.9mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £23,652
You could save up to: £3898
1.5 tdci titanium x navigation 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £24,821
You could save up to: £4009
Ford C-Max Zetec
1.0 ecoboost 125 zetec 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £19,821
You could save up to: £2969
1.0 ecoboost 125 zetec navigation 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £20,412
You could save up to: £3028
1.0 ecoboost zetec 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £19,366
You could save up to: £2924
1.0 ecoboost zetec navigation 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £19,957
You could save up to: £2983
1.5 ecoboost zetec 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 37.2mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £22,017
You could save up to: £3123
1.5 ecoboost zetec nav 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 37.2mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £22,608
You could save up to: £3182
1.5 tdci zetec 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 68.9mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £20,603
You could save up to: £3047
1.5 tdci zetec 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £21,741
You could save up to: £3159
1.5 tdci zetec navigation 5dr
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 68.9mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £21,195
You could save up to: £3105
1.5 tdci zetec navigation 5dr powershift
- Doors 5
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £22,332
You could save up to: £3218