Ford C-MAX Titanium 1.6T Ecoboost 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The engine is lively and delivers some good performance figures breaking the ten second barrier for acceleration, going from 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds, and is able to reach a very respectable top speed of 127mph. The Ecoboost option does seem to have one of the best engines in terms of pull at relatively low revs, and the six speed gearbox really feels very good to drive. The forward view is very clear, benefiting from the higher seating position of the MPV, but the rear view can be a little limited.

The handling is responsive and can beat some of the standard cars that are on the market, and because of the relatively good suspension the nippy handling is not at the cost of a tough ride. The minimal body lean around the corners is very good, but the C-MAX does have some large windscreen pillars that can obstruct the view around corners a little.

The stance of the C-MAX on the road is almost like a hatchback rather than an MPV, and the front end is very similar to many of the smaller car in the Ford range. The trim on the inside of this version of the C-MAX also looks very good, and the alloy wheels certainly bring an impressive outward appearance that is reflected throughout. The back end can be one of the design flaws for many MPV's, but this one is tidy and efficient providing easy access to the large load space.

Titanium is the highest level of trim and equipment that is to be found with the C-MAX range, and features such as cruise control, climate control and Bluetooth connectivity are all included as standard. The stereo system is perfectly adequate, but the controls can be a little fiddly especially when you are driving.

The legroom in the front of the car is very good, as you would expect from an MPV, and the rear can comfortably accommodate three passengers. The boot space is also very good, but when compared with the seats' flexibility in terms of layout, there are some better options available in the class. The excellent running costs also mean that the C-MAX is practical to use as a family car on a regular basis.

The C-MAX has some superb safety features, including the usual range of airbags including curtain airbag, and the driving aids such as traction control and ESP are also great for keeping the car under control at all times. It received the top award of five stars from the Euro NCAP tests. The security features are also impressive, with an alarm and immobiliser typical, but the visible VIN and locking wheel nuts are very good.

This particular model of the C-MAX is towards the top of the range, and the price tag of £20,645 is quite a lot for this type of car. The added extras all come at a price, and those who are very price conscious may want to consider one of the more basic models available.

However, once the purchase price has been paid the running costs make for attractive reading. The fuel performance provides an average 44.1mpg, and the insurance group means that insuring is not a big expense. The three year warranty and one year roadside breakdown is an average package from Ford, but the one factor worth considering is that depreciation is a problem with the C-MAX, meaning that the resale value is likely to reduce quite significantly.