The Ford B Max is a compact MPV with sliding doors and a lack of B-pillars. As a result, it is a nice and simple car to drive and have fun with. But is the Ford B Max a good car?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a car. The Ford B Max is a good car for people who want a reliable, economical, affordable, and practical car. But if you’re looking for a high-performance, agile, and sophisticated car, this is not the car for you.
History of the Ford B-Max
The Ford B Max is a mini MPV that has been in production by Ford from 2012 to 2017. This car was specifically manufactured by Ford Europe. What’s more, this car is based on the Ford Fiesta and its key competitors are the Nissan Note, Fiat 500L, and Citroen C3 Picasso.
Additionally, the Ford B Max comes with 5-doors. On top of that, it has three petrol engines and two diesel engines. Of course, diesel engines are more powerful than their petrol counterpart. So, if you want better performance, consider going with the 1.6-liter Duratorq I4 TDCi engine.
It is also vital to note that the Ford B Max is no longer in production. Ford discontinued this model in 2017. So, if you want a Ford B Max model, you will have to look for a quality used model in the market.
Features of the Ford B-Max
Appearance
When it comes to looks, the Ford B Max is not among the best-looking cars in its class. The car has a simple look but the interior is okay. The interior could also have been better if Ford used quality and appealing materials. Overall, the car looks good inside and outside, but it’s not so appealing.
Performance
The Ford B Max was not built for performance. Regardless, it still has different engine options for people who want the best-performing car in the line. Besides, it has three trims, which include the Studio, Zetec, and Titanium trims.
The Titanium trims are the best-performing variant with a maximum of 103 hp, and a top speed of 112 mph, ad it can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 11.7 seconds. Nonetheless, it is also the most expensive.
Comfort and cargo space
Despite being an MPV, this car can host up to five people. Yes, it is more spacious than most people think. On top of that, it comes with ample cargo space, and this can be increased by folding the rear seats. It comes with 318 liters, but this can be expanded to 1,386 liters when seats are folded.
However, this is quite smaller when compared to its rivals like the Citroen C3 Picasso with 500 liters before seats are folded.
Fuel efficiency
Ford B Max is a very efficient car. However, you can even still save more money by selecting the models with the Ecoboost engine. For instance, the 1.6-liter petrol comes with a rating of 44.4 mpg, while the 1.4-liter petrol model has a rating of 47.1 mpg.
On the other hand, if you pick the 1.6-liter Ecoboost engine, you will get 55.4 mpg and 57.5 mpg for the 1.4-liter Ecoboost model.
Price
This is one of the cheapest and most economical mini MPVs that you will find on the market. So, if you want to spend less on an affordable car, the Ford B Max is the ideal choice. And since Ford is no longer making new Ford B Max models, you will have to settle for a used unit. Prices range between $14,000 and $25,000.
FAQ
Is the Ford B-Max worth buying?
Yes, the Ford B Max is worth buying if you desire an affordable, economical, cheap, and fun car to drive. It is also reliable and holds up its value well. However, this MPV may be unappealing to individuals searching for a faster, high-performance, or luxurious car. Additionally, rear doors are heavy to move, which can be unsuitable for kids.
What are the common problems with the Ford B-Max?
If you’re planning to purchase a Ford B-Max, you need to know some of the problems that you will face along the way. Common problems with the Ford B-Max are battery drain issues, steering system problems, electrical issues, DPF problems, automatic gearbox issues, and faulty rear windows.
Is Ford B-Max bigger than Ford Fiesta?
Even though the Ford B-Max is based on the Ford Fiesta platform, you will be surprised that it’s bigger. The Ford B Max comes with a wheelbase of 98.0-inches, a length of 160.5-inches, a width of 68.9-inches, and a height of 63.1-inches.
On the other hand, the Ford Fiesta has a wheelbase of 98.1-inches, a length of 160.2-inches, a width of 70.2-inches, and a height of 59.0-inches. As you can see, the Ford B Max is slightly longer than the Ford Fiesta, while the Ford Fiesta is wider. What’s more, the Ford B Max is also taller or higher than the Ford Fiesta.
How fast is the Ford B-Max?
The Ford B-Max is not a high-performance car. So, if you’re looking for a faster car, this is not a good option. The fastest Ford B-Max, which is the 1.6-liter Titanium model offers a top speed of 112 mph and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 12.1 seconds. This is quite faster than the base model which takes 13.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph.
What type of engine does the Ford B-Max use?
The Ford B-Max uses different engines. It has three petrol engines and two diesel engines to choose from. The petrol engines are the 1.0-liter Ecoboost turbo I3, 1.4 Duratec I4, and 1.6 Duratec I4 engines. The diesel options are the 1.5-liter Duratorq I4 TDCi and 1.6-liter Duratorq I4 TDCi engines.
Conclusion
The Ford B Max is a small, spacious, economical, dependable, and practical car. It is also cheap to maintain but lacks speed and quality. Like most cars, it has several problems that users should expect to deal with, such as automatic gearbox problems, steering system problems, DPF issues, and electrical problems.
In spite of the Ford B Max having some shortcomings, it is an excellent car and very cheap to have. Thanks to its inexpensive road tax and excellent fuel efficiency. It is a good family car and daily driver.