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Iceni Magazine | March 28, 2024

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Ford Grand C-Max – Reviewed

Ford Grand C-Max – Reviewed

Reviewed by Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist – tweeting @carwriteups 

Ford’s Grand C-Max is a car designed to carry up to seven people safely and comfortably. It’s got all the things that make life easier.

Things such as sliding rear doors that mean the children can get in or out without bashing the doors on walls or other cars. What’s more, the Grand C-Max is roomy inside, with a smart set-up that enables the centre chair in the second row to fold beneath one of the other seats, leaving a space to walk through.

I should add, the Grand C-Max Ford loaned me was the Titanium X 2.0 TDCi 150PS Powershift. Basically, I was handed the top of the range version – the one with all the bells and whistles. However, whether you get the entry level or the top level Grand C-Max, its function is the same – it’s a car that’ll hold lots of people. Granted, the third row of seats are tucked away for most of the time in the boot floor, and even though they’re really only for kids, they’re still very handy. 

There’s also a ‘normal’ Ford C-Max, which is a spacious five-seater – so don’t feel you have to go for the ‘Grand’ version. On test, I didn’t need to use the third row all that much, so the two spare seats often remained where they were. This was no bad thing, as without the third tier of seats in operation, the boot stays big. With the seats up, the load area is only good for about three bags of shopping, but with them down, you can knock yourself out filling it up. Not literally, you understand.

Standard equipment on the Ford Grand C-Max is generous. It includes Ford’s Quickclear windscreen, sports-style seats, air conditioning and DAB radio. Upgrade to the flagship Titanium X trim and you get a panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, a partial leather interior, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, and keyless start and entry. There’s also Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, with an easy-to-read eight-inch touchscreen.

But the best thing is that the Grand C-Max is a surprisingly good drive. I say ‘surprising’ because I was a man who used to dislike MPVs because of their apparent dearth of dynamism. The 2.0 TDCi 150PS Powershift model is smooth and has lots of low down shove. It works particularly well with the six-speed automatic transmission. In fact, it doesn’t drive like a bus – it behaves just like a decent 2.0 litre turbo diesel car should do.

What’s more, it holds the road well, feeling planted on motorways and through twisty sections of tarmac. It’s also got a cheeky punch to it, with the Titanium X 2.0 TDCi 150PS Powershift variant able to do 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds. It’s efficient, too, consistently doing mid to late 40s real-world mpg.

So, I’ve got to say, as a dad-of-three, I’m impressed. In fact, I’m seriously considering buying the Ford Grand C-Max now I’ve lived with it for a while. I just might not be able to dig deep enough for the flagship version.

Pros ‘n’ Cons

  • Practical √
  • Comfortable √
  • Efficient √
  • Performance √
  • Perceived Image X

Fast Facts

  • Max speed: 124 mph
  • 0-62 mph: 10.7 secs
  • Combined mpg: 56.5
  • Engine: 1997cc 4-cylinder turbo diesel
  • power (PS): 150
  • CO2: 129 g/km
  • Price: £28,865

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