Ford C-Max/Grand C-Max review

If you’re a family type but still enjoy driving, the Ford C-Max is perfect, as it is more entertaining than its familyman image would have you believe.

The steering is light enough to make low-speed manoeuvrability easy, but it’s also extremely sharp and delicate, so the Ford feels agile and crisp out of town. There’s no shortage of grip and the ride is stable enough. It’s perhaps a little firmer on the bumps than most but not to the point of becoming uncomfortable. There isn’t much roll for an MPV either.

As for the engines, the entry-level 105bhp 1.6 feels overwhelmed, so we welcome the introduction of the wonderful 1.0-litre EcoBoost. Sounds unlikely, but it works well and is charming to drive. Ford’s latest turbocharged EcoBoost 1.6 unit is also available with 150bhp, and it’s brilliant. The 1.5-litre TDCi diesel is the one to go for if you want to keep your running costs to a minimum though. It’s potent enough to almost render the bigger 2.0-litre diesel redundant, although its extra torque is admittedly welcome.