Used Ford C-Max 2011-present review

The original Ford C-Max, which was based on the Ford Focus family hatchback, caught the tide of popularity as people swam towards MPVs. So this model, which replaced it in 2011, was careful not to mess with the successful formula.

It was larger all round, because by then so was everything else, and, for those who needed even more space, there was also a stretched seven-seater version, the Grand C-Max. It was smarter, too, and more upmarket. The only fly in its ointment was that not long after it was launched, the buying public started to find favour with the SUV, and the MPV became yesterday’s hero.

Now, though, those after a five-seater of practical proportions for a modest outlay could do worse than seek out a used C-Max. There’s a reasonable range of engines to choose from: petrols kick off with an older 123bhp 1.6-litre unit and top off with two 1.0-litre three-cylinder Ecoboost units that make 99bhp and 123bhp. There are three diesel options: 1.5-litre units producing 103bhp and 117bhp and a 2.0-litre diesel with 148bhp.

Trims are kept fairly simple, too. There are three levels to choose from: Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X. The entry-level Zetec models get sport-style front seats, Ford's Quickclear heated windscreen, air conditioning, a DAB radio, hill start assist and heated door mirrors. Upgrade to Titanium and you get Ford's 8.0in Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system, automatic lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry and start. Those who buy the range-topping Titantium X models get luxuries including a part-leather interior, bi-xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof and heated front seats.

On the road, it’s the 1.0-litre engines that appeal the most, and the 125bhp version in particular has enough urge to move the C-Max along nicely. It’s smooth and fairly economical, too. The diesels all have a fair amount of low-end grunt, and the 2.0 TDCi 150 is a real flyer, but there’s also a gruffness to them that the petrols don't have. In corners, the C-Max excels, with good front-end grip and well-weighted steering, so you can enjoy flinging it through a series of challenging bends. Ride comfort is good, too – it only really gets caught out on the roughest of our roads.

The interior is spacious and has a good driving position that provides excellent visibility. The dashboard design and the layout of the major and minor controls is standard Ford. There’s plenty of room up front, and rear seat passengers get plenty of head and leg room. There's even space for three abreast, at least for shorter journeys. The C-Max's layout is also flexible and practical, allowing you to fold away the middle seat to make life more comfortable for two passengers in the rear. The boot is a good size, even if the rear seats don't quie fold flat and there’s no variable-height boot floor.

High-mileage C-Maxes can be had for around £4000, but we’d always recommend spending a little extra and buying a car with an average mileage for the year and a full service history. To do this will cost you around £6000, but it's probably worth it. Up the money to between £8000 and £10,000 and you’ll start to see good 2015 cars bought from independent dealers, while all those criteria will be satisfied by spending between £11,000 and £13,000 and getting yourself a 2016/2017 model.

The most economical C-Max is the 1.5 TDCi Econetic diesel, which claims an average fuel consumption of 74.3mpg and corresponding CO2 emissions of just 99g/km. The regular 1.5 TDCi claims 68.9mpg for 105g/km of CO2. The best-performing petrol is the 1.0-litre Ecoboost, in both its 100 or 125 guises, recording a claimed 55.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 117g/km.

Those cars, when registered before April 2017, will pay varying amounts of tax based on their CO2 output, although all C-Maxs are fairly good in that respect and won’t cost a fortune. Those cars registered after that date will all pay the flat rate of £140 per year.

Insurance groups are moderate, ranging from 13 to 27 for the more powerful 2.0 TDCi diesels. Servicing on the C-Max isn’t too costly, and parts will be cheap to buy if something does go wrong. Cars over three years of age will qualify for Ford’s Motorcraft servicing regime, under which an annual service at a Ford dealer will cost £149. You'll pay even less at an independent Ford specialist.

The more powerful version of the 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine, the 125, is our favourite. It’s lively and swift yet reasonably efficient.

And we’d keep it simple with entry-level Zetec trim, which has all the goodies. You might want to track down a car that had the 8.0in infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav and rear parking sensors added, though.

Our favourite Ford C-Max: 1.0 Ecoboost 125 Zetec

The Citroën C4 Picasso has a spacious and practical interior, although, like the C-Max, it’s only a five-seater. Visibility is good, and it offers some economical engines. Ride and handling aren’t so good, though.

The Volkswagen Touran is an award-winning MPV with seven useful seats and plenty of space in its classy interior. It has Isofix points on all five rear seats, is easy to get in and out of and gets decent fuel economy.

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