Ford C-MAX Review

Ford C-MAX

The alternative is the so-called Comfort Seat System, which is priced at £200. It still retains all of the standard functionality but with the centre seat removed the outer two can move diagonally inwards, so they are closer together for more leg- and shoulder-room. Not that either commodity is lacking in the first place.
 
The driver and front passenger sit tall and a good way back from the windscreen, which has good and bad points. For instance, if the driver takes full advantage of their height-adjustable seat, they will certainly have a good view of the traffic ahead but they will still not be able to see the end of the bonnet, which concerns some people. That said, they could always fork out the extra £450 for front and rear parking assist (£300 for the rear only), but that means the loss of the passenger airbag deactivation switch.

The other problem could arise from the seemingly useful, shallow, lidded bin. It is centrally placed atop the fascia making it just out of reach when on the move.  However, the new centre stack has been thoughtfully laid out in a tidy, businesslike fashion. It incorporates the nicely placed, high-level gearshift pod and houses the cabin’s climate controls, single CD/radio and a socket for music on the move. The last two items are standard throughout the range and the only variance is that the audio system in the Titanium model is a Sony and includes MP3 compatibility.

There are plenty of options available for upgrading the audio and communications functionality, except that is, for base-model customers. The list contains no less than three navigation systems; the one in the test car was the Premium DVD-based unit priced at £1,950, which comes with a 7-inch, colour , touch-screen, eight speakers and for some reason has heated front seats and Dual Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (DEATC), thrown in for good measure. But still only a single CD player; the same system with an under-seat, autochanger is £2,200.

There are four trim levels; Studio, Style, Zetec and Titanium with prices ranging from £13,550 to £20,800 but it is very easy to go overboard with the optional extras.

Studio trim is C-MAX in its purest form. It, along with Style and Zetec has an open storage area over the central tunnel with cupholders and oddments trays, more storage under the rear passengers’ feet, front electric windows and rake- and reach-adjustable steering column.

Style builds on this with heating added to the powered door mirrors, which are now body-coloured along with the door handles. Air-conditioning arrives, as do the sun-blinds integrated into the rear door, lumbar support and an armrest for the driver, seat-back trays and a cover for the luggage area.

The Zetec offers much them same as the Style but adds privacy glass for the rear windows, a quick-clear windscreen, front fog lights and leather trims for the steering wheel. At this level, there are far more optional extras available.

Topping the bill is the Titanium. It is at this level that the rear windows become powered and the door mirrors gain puddle lamps and integrated indicators. Inside, the central tunnel console changes to include a sliding armrest with storage underneath and brushed chrome, design trims are introduced. The front passenger now benefits from manual height- and lumbar adjustment, while automatic wipers and lights are also part of the specification.

Leather covered seats are still an optional extra but there is now a greater choice in other areas, although restrictions apply to certain combinations of goodies. The test car came with one of my favorite extras, the KeyFree system with starter button however, it does add to the annoying array of warning beeps.

Ford C-MAX