Ford Focus C-MAX

Our verdict

Ford pulled a blinder with the Focus C-Max, its bigger, more practical Focus. It may not be quite as practical as some of its obvious rivals, but it strikes a fine balance between doing its job and looking the business.

Comfort

The C-Max is refined and cosseting, riding well and providing acres of space for five. The larger S-Max ups the ante naturally, but this is far easier to wield in town.

Performance

Ford's latest TDCi diesel engines are seriously hard to beat. The 2.0-litre is quiet across the rev range and endlessly torquey, which is just what you want from a family car that's going to be loaded to the gunnels and off up the motorway.

Cool

In the world of the MAV (Multi Activity Vehicle - we don't come up with this crap) the C-Max is definitely one of the cooler ones, primarily because it still looks sharp despite its family-oriented exterior.

Quality

Ford is well on top of this these days. The cabin is nicely designed and well finished. Touch points are solid and the whole thing has a sense of sturdiness that's vital for an affordable family car.

Handling

Cars with added bulk rarely perform as they should, but the C-Max hasn't lost everything that the excellent Focus chassis has to offer. It's a good, positive, driving experience, adapted for and utterly in command of the vagaries of British roads.

Practicality

Although not quite as flexible as a Vauxhall Zafira or as roomy as a Renault Scenic, the C-Max is seriously spacious, but all within a handily compact car that's also easy to see out of and therefore park.

Running costs

The Renault Scenic is the benchmark in MAV-land, so residuals aren't want they might be, but the C-Max is still a hassle-free ownership prospect with really solid, frugal diesel engines.