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 Estate (2015-2019) 1.6 125 zetec 5dr
Finance price £136 per month
Cash price £8,999
The five-seat Ford C-Max is a medium people carrier: a larger and more practical version of the Ford Focus hatchback, but notably shorter than the seven-seat Ford Grand C-Max.
Unlike the most recent raft of people carriers such as the Citroen C4 Spacetourer and Renault Scenic, which feature stirking, super-modern looks, the C-Max looks like an ordinary car, just a bit taller. But that extra height is the key bit, freeing up 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.
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 good car for keeping kids happy on longer journeys. Standard equipment levels are strong 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 as the C-Max uses proven Ford parts it’s unlikely your C-Max will go wrong and getting it seen to in the event of a problem won’t be a hassle – and neither should 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. The system was much less stringent than the current crash test format, however, so a newer car with a five-star rating is likely to be notably safer in reality.
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Key facts
Warranty: Three years / 60,000 miles | Boot size: 432 litres |
Width: 1828mm | Length: 4380mm |
Height: 1626mm | Tax (min to max): £0 to £145 |
Best Ford C-Max for...
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 |