Ford B-MAX Titanium 1.0T EcoBoost s/s 5dr Car Review - April 2013

With only a one litre engine the B-MAX is never going to be the fastest vehicle on the road, but the acceleration from 0-62mph is not bad at all, reaching the mark in 11.2 seconds. The top speed of 117mph is quite reasonable, and while the vehicle certainly has the pace to use on long motorway journeys, the noisy cabin means that not everyone will want to be getting close to that top speed. The handling is poised without being exciting, and responds to the turn of the wheel even though it doesn't have the fun factor of some of Ford's hatchbacks.

The driving position in the B-MAX is not at all bad, with good visibility to the front and the side, along with plenty of legroom and adjustability in the seat. The ride itself can be a little firm at times with bigger bumps and potholes definitely being felt in the cabin, although this is the price of keeping the high sided body stable through the corners. Having said this, there is still some roll through the bends.

The looks of the B-MAX are very much istandard MPV-fare, with large headlight clusters and a curving front end unable to hide the essentially angular shape of the body. However, looks aren't always the best feature of an MPV, and compared to many other rivals the B-MAX looks great, with the tail light clusters split on to the boot giving the back end a tidy look. Alloy wheels are included as standard with the Titanium trim level, which is certainly beneficial to the appearance of the car.

The level of trim may come at a hefty premium, but it does have some nice touches such as climate control and cruise control that help to make the cabin comfortable, while the rain-sensing wipers and power-folding mirrors are also classy features.

It is practicality that really sees the B-MAX come into its own, and while the exterior may not be the sleekest, there is plenty of interior space, with even those in the back having loads of leg- and head-room. The boot has plenty of space for luggage, while the seats also fold forward to provide additional space for carrying larger items.

The B-MAX is certainly one of the safest MPVs available, with Euro NCAP giving it the top rating of five stars and with an excellent range of airbags and driver aids included as standard.

The B-MAX is still a little too new to give you any meaningful information regarding its long-term reliability; however, Fords generally have a good record for reliability and we've heard no horror stories surrounding the car's excellent EcoBoost engine. Plus, because the car is a petrol, you won't fall foul of the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) problems which traditionally plague diesel cars.

The tough pill to swallow about this version of the Ford B-MAX is that the price of £18,195 means that it is far from a cheap vehicle to buy, with some other MPVs available offering significantly more space and performance for a similar price. Unfortunately for the B-MAX, it isn't a vehicle that holds its value particularly well either, meaning you'll also take a hit when it comes to selling the vehicle.

With Start/Stop technology included in the small 1.0-litre engine, the B-MAX delivers a combined 55.7mpg, which is excellent for a car of this type, especially a petrol-powered one.