SecondhandSense: Ford Focus C-Max:No matter what your requirements, there is a car out there to suit you, and in no segment is it more obvious than in the people carrier market.
Big, small and medium-sized families are keen targets for car companies and there is no shortage of cars for them to choose from. The most popular grouping is the middle of the market, where Opel has long been the favourite option with the Zafira, a car that has to be credited with extremely clever design.
Ford has bigger options when it comes to people carriers, but its C-Max does fall into the same category as the Zafira and the Corolla Verso, with the notable shortcoming of being a five-seater. That said, the C-Max does a very efficient job for people with smaller families because of clever use of space and a generous boot capacity. It is based on the Ford Focus, an extremely popular car here because of reliability, safety, value for money, good internal and external design and good ride and handling characteristics.
Because of its Focus underpinnings the C-Max does not feel like other similar people carriers and has a greater car-like feel to it. Clever use is made of space, there is plenty of light, it is easy to park and use in the city and it is extremely pleasant to drive on a longer journey.
There is a choice of engines ranging from a 1.4-l petrol (this particular option is quite limited when carrying weight) to 1.6-l and 1.8-l petrol units and the same capacities in diesel units. The diesels are a particularly good option, being responsive and economical.
The standard equipment on the 1.6-l and 1.8-l options is very respectable and includes ABS and side airbags. All cars have a good sound system - one of the best in the middle of the market. Passengers have excellent head and legroom and there is not the same cramped feeling one gets with the Zafira. The interior is very well thought out with all sorts of necessary and child-friendly options such as under-seat storage boxes, Isofix child seat locks and adjustable head restraints.
The C-Max scored a four-star rating, out of a possible five, in the EuroNCAP crash tests after its launch in 2003. It scored four for both adult and child competitors but it is still lacking in this regard when compared to some competitors.
Its biggest recall was some 68,000 cars for problems with water entering the wiper motor through the wiper arm spindle. If the water contains salt that could lead to a short-circuit. Some other small problems, but none major, have been reported.
A 2004 diesel version with a 1.6-l engine and 34,000 miles on the clock costs about €18,500 while a 2005 model with the same 1.6-l diesel engine is on offer for €18,995. Expect to pay about €700 to €800 less for petrol versions.
FOR: Excellent features
AGAINST: Only five seats