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Write a review on the Ford C Max Overall Review Rating: 8.0
16 Reviews Found
5Dr 1.8 Zetec
First impressions of the C-Max were very good; the car was purchased 18 months ago when the need for a larger car arose. After reviewing other manufacturers and even estates we decided on the C-Max.
Build quality is excellent (the odd rattle, but that is to be expected on a Ford) and the engine is peppy enough for my current daily 40 mile round trip to work. Comfort levels surpassed anything I was expecting and gave me the impression this was from a premium manufacturer (VW etc) rather than Ford (the car I have has the 16 inch wheels, I imagine the ride may be a little harsh on anything greater).
The boot space within the C-Max is excellent (even allowing me to fit a couple of house doors in, after I had removed one of the seats and lifted the other). This leads me to the simple design additions Ford has added: including Bungee cords to hold the chairs in place when lifted (simple yet effective); adding a cigar socket in the boot (perfect for the in car fridge) and the rear integrated sun blinds. All this adds up to a car I have had great pleasure in owning (and continue to do so), I can recommend this model to anyone in the market for a mid-size MPV.
Some well thought out "Family Friendly ideas including: Rear integrated sun blinds; Secondary rear view mirror (to keep an eye on the little ones) and a rear power socket in the boot of the car. An excellent engine (quiet and responsive) with a pleasant gearbox and a very comfortable ride, all the while still having fun handling characteristics. The seating position is high enough to improve visibility without elevating you to “van driver” heights.
Cubby holes galore and well thought out storage recesses throughout the car and a boot space that has proved plenty large enough for my daily tasks. Stylish, with a few sporty design cues. At least I think so ;-)
As with every Ford I have owned, the odd rattle does appear in time. The dashboard could do with a little more excitement (the current grey plastic can be a little boring.
Be aware that the tracking on some of the models may be out when you collect your car. I had mine for a year (without the car “pulling” in any direction I might add) and even though it had done minimal mileage (sub 6,000 miles) the front tires had worn to a near illegal level on the inner edges. Replacement tyres were approx £70 each so not extortionate, but not something I would expect to have to change on a sub 10,000 mile car.
5Dr 1.6 Zetec
I have had my car for just over 6 months now. I do not like changing car but I have found the CMax extremely easy to drive. It gives a comfortable ride and I love the electric heated windscreen. It seems a little greedy on petrol but I do quite a bit of town driving so this could be the reason for that. Maybe a diesel version of the CMax would be a better option for some people.
The tinted rear windows make the car look quite sporty and the children love it that nobody can see them sitting in the back. It is a very easy car to drive and not to large so is easy to park.
I would prefer the CMax to give me more miles to the gallon. I know the diesel versions are quite popular.The rear "parcel shelf" is very flimsy and is not really made to hold anything substantial. I do not actually use mine.
5Dr 1.6Tdci Zetec Dpf
The C-Max drives like a car (unlike the Scenic and Zafira I've had before). You sit higher than in a car but little or no 'roll' that you experience in the Scenic - or to a lesser degree the Zafira. It is a real Tardis. It never fails to surpirse me what can be fitted into the car with the rear seats removed.
Best this about the car is the space you get for the size. Yes you could go for a bigger car like the S-Max or the Zafira.
Just how big it is is evident from the fact that I got driver, one passenger and 25 sheets of 8'x2' chipboard flooring in the car. On another occasion I squeezed all the parts, including poles of a 20' square marquee into the car (only just). It would not go in a freelander which we tried first... Finally on yet another occasion I got a 6' x 4' x 17' scaffold tower in the car. The guy I bought it from said it would never go in because he could not fit it in his Nissan X-Trail - but it did.
If you could take out the front passenger seat it would allow even larger loads to fit into the car. I think they have improved the material used on the seating since my purchase, but I'd like to see better stain resistant seating.
5Dr 1.8 Zetec
We purchased this car approx 2-3yrs ago as we required a bigger car, the only reason we took this car is because I had read good reviews on other websites and this particular model was the one to go for, as it had electric windows, mirrors, air con, alloys, quick clear windscreen etc. This is now proving to be a costly car to run especially around town and even worse on the motorway, at best I am getting a combined return of 34 mpg. And that is even keeping the revs below 3000 rpm which depresses me greatly.
The best feature of this car is the boot as I can fit my golf equipment in there no bother at all, there is also plenty of legroom in the back should you ever have five adults on the car it is spacious.
A better fuel consumption, a comfier ride and an alround nicer design would make this car a more attractive purchase than it's nearest rival a Vauxhall Zafira.
5Dr 1.8Tdci Style
Overall view, nice car, quite a lot of road noise, the fuel consumption is heavy, never have I got near the mpg as listed by ford ie, town 43mpg not had more than 35mpg, urban 53.4 not had more than 43 mpg and extra urban 63mpg not had more than 44 mpg, ford say its within there perameters.
I dont have a favourite feature, everything about the inside is good, steering column controls for radio, dashboard is well organised.
Make more use of the space above dashboard - there is too much unused surface area, try to have less road noise, make better fuel consumption.
5Dr 1.8Tdci Titanium
We upgraded from a frankly poor Vauxhall Meriva to the C-Max. Bigger, better, more powerful and with a reassuing Ford badge on it.
First impressions were very good - it 'feels' like a regular car compared to the Meriva - nice driving position, good visibility, great handling, but let down by the agricultural feel of the engine and the pretty poor turbo lag - meaning that until the engine hits 2,000 rpm it's struggling at low speeds on inclines. Once you're up to speed, no problems. It rakes in the miles in good comfort, and with an excellent factory fitted Sony sound system you've got a nice driver/passenger experience.
Inside, it's versatile enough. Plenty of room for 5 occupants with a good sized boot, and under floor storage at the back seats.
The high-up seating position means you see more than other lowly road users, and this does inspire cofidence in its excellent safety rating.
Mechanically, apart from the TDCi engine struggling at low speeds, it has all the usual ford refinements, and with so many thousands of Focuses (Foci?) on the road you know that it's a solid base for a car.
Tyre wear though, is pretty poor. It will eat a set of Michelins in 10,000 miles on A and B roads for some reason - and with the optional 17" alloys, tyres don't come cheap. Factor this in to your purchase, or find a model with 16" wheels that will have cheaper tyres.
All in all, a good solid car - ideal for young families that need a bit more practicality than a Saloon or Hatchback car, but don't want a big old bus.
Economy usually around 45mpg.
The high up seating position means you’re king of the road – that’s not to say it’s an ‘upright’ position though – it feels like any other car, just that you’re higher up.
This helps when it comes to parking, though if you have the excellent parking sensor system fitted, parking is a complete doddle.
The Sony Sound system (optional) is superb, and has a 6 disc changer and bluetooth feature – ideal for long journeys. Sound is crisp and clear, although poor reception on some FM radio stations can be problematic in rural areas – moreso than other stereos I’ve used.
There’s plenty of storage space as well – a good sized boot – big enough for a double pram, cubby holes in the boot, under the seats, central arm-rest and deep door pockets all mean that the car soon becomes a clutter zone unless you’re neat and tidy!
Handling is more like a car than other mini MPV’s in my opinion – and the Ford Focus is a good handler, and that heritage shines through in the C-Max.
Interior build quality could be better – particularly the carpets – on our car the carpets are not attached to anything in the front footwells. Apart from that, the interior is good and seems to be hardwearing.
We’ve had the back window leaking for a few months now, despite 2 Ford Approved garages replacing seals etc.
'Pick up' from the diesel engine a little 'agricultural' compared to other diesels I've driven, and the turbo lag (thought that dissapeared in the 1980’s?) is quite evident until you’re at speed with some momentum going. Once you’re up to 2,500 rpm and at more than a snails’ pace however, the engine feels good and long legged.
Watch out for the diamond cut alloy wheels – a common Ford problem – the lacquer coat fails frequently leading to rather ugly scarring on the expensive alloys. Take a tip – get a car with 16” wheels. Tyres will be cheaper, and these mini MPV’s seem to eat tyres at a set each year!
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