The Ford C-Max is one of the most reliable multi-purpose vehicles on the market. It is also reliable, practical, and fuel-efficient. But is the Ford C Max a good car?
The Ford C Max is a good car if you’re looking for a reliable, efficient, practical, and low-maintenance MPV. On the other hand, it is not ideal if you’re in need of a high-performance, luxurious, and faster MPV. Nonetheless, it is still a good car as it offers lots of fascinating features and it’s durable.
History of the Ford C Max
The Ford C Max is a five-door compact multi-purpose vehicle produced by Ford Motor Company. This car has been in production from 2003 to 2019. Even though it is currently referred to as Ford C-Max, it was formerly known as Ford Focus C-Max. Besides, it also comes with a longer wheelbase model known as the Ford Grand C-Max.
The Ford C-Max has been produced in two generations, with the first generation produced from 2003 to 2010 and the second generation from 2011 to 2019. Ford offers different choices, including petrol and diesel engines and hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options.
Features of the Ford C Max
Appearance
When it comes to looks and appearance, the Ford C-Max is stylish, but it is not the best-designed MPV in its class, as that title goes to the Citroen C4. Some of the notable features of the Ford C-Max are 16-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, Bluetooth connectivity, USB connectivity, a rear-view camera, a heated front windscreen, a DAB radio, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
All in all, the Ford C-Max is well-designed and comes with a beautiful and spacious interior.
The Ford C-Max has a wheelbase of 104.3 inches, a length of 172.4 inches, a width of 72.0 inches, and a height of 64.0 inches.
Performance
The Ford C-Max performs incredibly well as it comes with multiple engine options. Users have the choice to select from the highly advanced and lively 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol base engine to the 2.0-liter diesel with lots of power. Furthermore, they can either pick a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option with better fuel economy and low emissions.
The most powerful engine is the 2.0 Duratoq with a total of 168 hp at 3500 Rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 2000 to 2750 Rpm.
Comfort and cargo space
In terms of comfort, the Ford C-Max is not so comfortable. This is because it can only carry four people comfortably and not five like most MPVs. On the contrary, it has ample headroom, meaning taller people will be more comfortable compared to the smaller Ford Focus.
Moreover, it also comes with ample cargo space as the owner will get a total of 432-liter boot space with all seats in place. But if the rear seats are folded, this space will increase to 1,684 liters, which is incredible for its size.
Fuel efficiency
The Ford C-Max is not so fuel-efficient compared to most of its rivals. This is because achieved a combined fuel economy average of 37 mpg, with 35 mpg being for the city and 38 mpg for the highway. Nevertheless, the most efficient trim is the 118bhp 1.5 TDCi diesel manual with WLTP-rated fuel consumption of up to 48.7 mpg.
Safety
Ford may not be popular for creating some of the safest cars on the market, but the Ford C-Max scores quite well in this category. It had a Euro NCAP five-star crash test. Furthermore, it boosts several safety features, such as seven airbags, traction control, AdvanceTrac Stability control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and 4-wheel antilock brakes.
Price
The Ford C-Max is one of the most affordable cars in its class. It has an RRP range of between $21,587 and $35640, which is quite affordable. Nonetheless, a used Ford C-Max is even cheaper with prices starting from $8708.
FAQ
Is Ford C-Max worth buying?
Yes, the Ford C Max is worth buying as it is reliable, spacious, practical, and cheap to maintain. This car is also fun to drive and performs considerably well compared to most of its rivals. On the other hand, if you’re in the market for a high-end, high-performance, and luxurious MPV, this car won’t be worth buying.
What are the common problems with Ford C-Max?
The Ford C Max may be an outstanding MPV, but it also comes with multiple issues. Some of them include turbo malfunction, clutch slipping, rear brake problems, and suspension issues. Moreover, several owners have reported experiencing loss of steering power, faulty passenger doors, failing air conditioners, and burnt-out headlights.
What is the high mileage for the Ford C-Max?
Even though the Ford C Max is a reliable and low-maintenance car, it still develops problems after covering certain miles. However, if you take good care of your Ford C Max, you may not experience serious problems early on. Most serious issues on the Ford C Max start after covering more than 100k miles.
So, if you’re buying a used Ford C Max, try to avoid one with more than 150k miles as it will have more issues than normal.
Is Ford C Max a good daily driver?
Yes, the Ford C-Max is an excellent daily driver as it’s nice to drive. Furthermore, this car is fuel-efficient, reliable, and low maintenance, making it great for daily use. On top of that, it is spacious and practical, making it a wonderful family car for daily use.
Which cars are like the Ford C-Max?
The Ford C-Max is one of the best cars in its class. Nevertheless, it faces stiff competition, allowing users to select their preferred MPV from a competitive class. Some of its main rivals are the Renault Scenic, Citroen C4 Picasso, VW Touran, Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, Chevrolet Spark EV, and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
Summary
All in all, the Ford C Max is a good car if you want a low-maintenance, fuel-efficient, and reliable multi-purpose vehicle. However, before you invest in this MPV, it is crucial to know some of the problems that you may face along the way, such as turbo malfunction, faulty passenger doors, failing air conditioners, and clutch issues.