Ford C-MAX review | Auto Express (2024)

Prices for the C-MAX start from around £23,000, with the 7-seater Grand C-MAX costing around £1,600 extra. This bags you a Zetec model, while Titanium trim is an upgrade of around £1,700 over Zetec, and Titanium X is around £2,000 extra (although it's not available with the least powerful 1.0 EcoBoost 100PS).

With its range of efficient engines, running a C-MAX should prove fairly painless. The most efficient C-MAX in the range is the 118bhp 1.5 TDCi diesel manual with WLTP-rated fuel consumption of up to 48.7mpg. Add the auto gearbox, and this reduces to a best-possible 46.3mpg, which isn't too harsh a penalty. Go for a Grand C-MAX, and fuel economy is up to 45.6mpg for the manual and 44.1mpg for the auto.

The tiny 1.0 EcoBoost model returns 42.2mpg whether you choose the 100PS or 125PS version and emits 127g/km of CO2 with the 100PS version on 16-inch wheels. Add larger wheels and this rises slightly to 130g/km, while the 125PS model emits 129g/km or 131g/km on bigger 17 or 18-inch wheels.

The 1.5 EcoBoost manages emissions as low as 174g/km, while the best fuel economy under WLTP testing is 33.6mpg. Again, the Grand C-MAX is poorer, at 32.1mpg.

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Standard equipment is good, so it’s worth steering clear of the options list. It’s long and packed full of desirable kit, but opting for some of it will quickly push the price of your C-MAX sky high. Every C-MAX comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.

Depreciation

The most expensive C-MAX in the range costs nearly £29,000, which means you do get quite a lot of car for your money, but don't expect very much back for it when you sell it on. Across the C-MAX line-up, after three years of ownership and 36,000 miles, the car retain from 28-34 per cent of its value, which reflects the low desirability of these models. It's worth noting that the 7 seater Grand C-MAX has slightly better residual values, but still in the 30 per cent bracket.

In comparison, the Ford Kuga - also Focus-based but arguably not as practical a family car as the C-MAX - has retained percentages in the mid-forties.

Insurance groups

As the units in the C-MAX's engine range have a modest power output, the MPV isn't going to attract high insurance premiums. Insurance groups start from 10 and rise to 22 for the range-topping 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel model.

In this review

• 1Ford C-MAX reviewThe Ford C-MAX is a five-seat MPV that feels like a hatch to drive and has decent diesel engines
• 2Engines, performance and driveThe C-MAX is a great MPV to drive and has punchy but efficient diesel engines
• 3MPG, CO2 and Running Costs - currently readingIt's reasonably efficient and cheap to insure, so the C-MAX won't break the bank
• 4Interior, design and technologyGood amount of standard equipment, but the C-MAX is lacking in design flair inside and out
• 5Practicality, comfort and boot spaceSpacious enough but rear passenger space can be tight if carrying a car full of people
• 6Reliability and SafetyBig and imposing with a raft of safety kit, but service costs are pricey