Ford C-MAX, Grand C-MAX and Focus extended test drives review thread

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 15 Mumsnetters who are reviewing over the next couple of months the all new C-MAX, Grand C-Max and Focus cars from Ford. Each tester and their family will have the car for three weeks and will also be making a video review - look out for these on site soon. All the cars being reviewed feature "Active Park Assist" and Ford recently asked former MP Ann Widdecombe to put this feature to the test - .

Here are the review questions - don't feel you have to answer them straight away - some of them will make more sense once you've had the car for a week or so. We'd like you to give us your initial thoughts, first impressions - both from you and the rest of the family - and then add feedback at least twice a week for the next three weeks until the car is collected - though please feel free to give more regular updates if you'd like to, and don't feel you have to stick to the questions too rigidly - they are just a guide.

Thanks for volunteering. Safe driving.

Here are the questions - please do state the model of car you're testing (first up was the C-MAX tests)

What were you/your partner's first impressions of the car?
What do the children think of it?
Do the children fit comfortably in it?
How easy is it to fit car seats/ adjust seats etc
What's it like to drive?
Is it a comfortable ride?
What's the boot space like?
Does it have any useful extras - cup holders etc?

There are various features of the 3 cars - let us know what you think of these ones in particular:

C-MAX
~ Five flexible seats
~ Power operated tailgate
~ Active Park Assist
Grand C-MAX
~ Seven flexible seats
~ Power operated tailgate
~ Sliding doors
~ Active Park Assist
Focus
~ Active City Stop
~ Active Park Assist
~ Lane Keeping Aid
~ Traffic Sign Recognition

So far is it economical to run?
How does it cope with different road conditions eg town, country, motorway
What do your friends/ family think of it?
Has testing this car made you more or less likely to buy a Ford?
Has testing this car changed your perception of Ford cars at all?
What one thing do you like best about it?
What one thing would you change about it ?
Please add any other comments and don't forget your video diaries!

Any queries please email [email protected]

Thanks again,

MNHQ

Right, I'll get started with some initial feedback on the C Max 5 seater...

What were you/your partner's first impressions of the car? Bigger than I expected! It has a full leather interior which is very snazzy. I imagine it will be easier to keep clean and fresh looking than the fabric interior in my own car.

What do the children think of it? They are very impressed with their new car. I have made it perfectly clear that it has to go back after 3 weeks, but dd1 is happily telling everyone, 'Mummy has a brand new car'!

Do the children fit comfortably in it? Yes. Both car seats fit comfortably, the test will be when we try and add a third, first stage car seat.

How easy is it to fit car seats/ adjust seats etc Dh did that this morning, I shall ask for specific feedback, but I don't think there were any problems!

What's it like to drive? Very light, if that makes sense. For a bigger car, the power steering is very sensitive, and turns with ease. I love the speed limit control. As soon as I leave my drive I have been setting the speed limiter to 30 mph and can feel safe that I won't go over the speed limit through town. I am looking forward to taking it for a longer run out so I can try out 6th gear and cruise control. Can I just state here that the model I am testing does not have Active Park Assist. I even checked with my delivery driver and he confirmed it did not, although the info above states that all models being tested feature this.

Is it a comfortable ride? Umm yes, when I am not being over keen on the brakes! My dc are probably suffering mild whiplash this evening! I am sure I will get the hang of it by tomorrow...

What's the boot space like? Roomy. Big enough for a child's bike and scooter. Haven't tried anything else yet but will get the baby's pram in there later during the trial to see how that fits.

Does it have any useful extras - cup holders etc? The dc likened the tray tables to those on an aeroplane, they are easily pleased. I like the inbuilt sat nav and have synced my phone via Bluetooth so I can answer calls whilst driving- get me. I also love the stop/start button as opposed to the ignition key. The delivery driver assured me 'all new cars have this', when I got a bit over excited about it!

Will add more feedback when I have taken it out for a long run and used it for shopping etc.

Well, mine came yesterday and so far I'm pleased
Now to answer the questions -

What were you/your partner's first impressions of the car?
I love it! It's very nice looking, although when it first arrived I was a bit worried about the size/bulk of it. DH likes it (but was a bit disappointed it wasn't green I think )
What do the children think of it?
DS didn't want to get out! He loves the tray on the back of the seat, and has already made his mark by eating his lunch off the tray and getting crumbs everywhere!
Do the children fit comfortably in it?
So far I've only put DS in it in his high back booster, so loads of room for him. I'll get back to you next week when I have my friend's DS in a large carseat. I might even test out putting an infant carrier in with them, as I have one here.
How easy is it to fit car seats/ adjust seats etc
I love the electric driver seat. I'll be testing out the back seat adjustment today when i pack the car to go camping, so will come back to that next week.
What's it like to drive?
Really quiet for a diesel, smooth, easy to steer. A bit cumbersome round bends, but I expected that of such a big car tbh.
Is it a comfortable ride?
Very comfortable. Ours has the leather seats which are comfy, and the suspension absorbs most bumps/potholes in the road. DS fell asleep within 10 mins of our first trip yesterday - he never falls asleep that quickly usually!
What's the boot space like?
Massive! The ultimate test will be today getting all our camping gear in. It's wide, deep and tall, which is great.
Does it have any useful extras - cup holders etc?
The cup holders in the front are great, plenty deep enough so that cups don't tip over. The storage box between the front seat is huge - really deep and it's got cd holders too.
I should point out that mine doesn't have park assist either but it does have SatNav, which I didn't expect! We're off camping for the weekend now, so I will report back on Monday about our experience with the car over the weekend.

hello i have a C Max 1.6 TDCi Zetec and love it

What were you/your partner's first impressions of the car?
well my first impression was that it was a lovely colour & a superb looking car. DH was a little more reserved and didnt think it was the best looking car he has ever seen because of its 'boxy' shape, but was nicely surprised when he saw how roomy the car is inside.

What do the children think of it?
they love it ...... and keep telling everyone that mom has got a new car. i do keep telling them its only for 3 weeks and know that they will be as sad as me when our time is up.

Do the children fit comfortably in it?
yes, very easily. we only have boosters here so there is plenty of space.

How easy is it to fit car seats/ adjust seats etc
no problem at all.

What's it like to drive?
it is beautiful! i especially like the vision which the driver has and the power steering is very light IYKWIM.

Is it a comfortable ride?
yes very smooth. it is a shock how easily i have got used to driving this car in just a few days.

What's the boot space like?
huge .....

Does it have any useful extras - cup holders etc?
yes, there are cup holders and my DCs especially like the rear window sun-blinds which are a lovely extra. sadly the only interior storage are open trays, a lidded one would have been nice. we dont have the pull-down trays either .... i know DCs would have loved those!

we do have rear sensors for parking which are useful. the interior is fabric with polka dots which sounds a headache but is actually very nice and easy on the eye

now my views on
a) Five flexible seats - excellent

b) Power operated tailgate - this is OK however it does not always work first time several presses are needed

c) Active Park Assist - sadly we do not have this extra with our model. i would have loved to try it!

So far is it economical to run?
yes

How does it cope with different road conditions eg town, country, motorway
OK so far i will be able to report on this better next week

What do your friends/ family think of it?
they think it is marvellous to have a car for 3 weeks and there might even be new recruits to mumsnet

Has testing this car made you more or less likely to buy a Ford?
not sure

Has testing this car changed your perception of Ford cars at all?
i didnt really have a perception of Ford before this, we have never owned a Ford car or driven one.

What one thing do you like best about it?
i like the big windscreen with its excellent vision and lots of light. DH likes the big wing-mirrors and that they give you a fantastic view.

What one thing would you change about it ?
nothing ATM, however i am disappointed that we dont have Active Park Assist, Sat Nav or a Sun Roof (which looks huge - did anyone get a sun-roof?)

thats it for me today ....... myself and my family are loving the car, thank you Ford and mumsnet

Hello !! My shiny new car arrived this morning, delivered by the lovely Hugh - thanks Hugh!

I have a C-Max 1.6 TI-VCT Titanium........now to the questions:

What were you/your partner's first impressions of the car?
Looks very smart and stylish. Bulkier than I'd imagined but appears very spacious inside. Feels more like you are sitting in a cockpit than a car so need to have more of a faff with the gadgets!
DH said it appears to be very 'gadgety' and compact (keeping in mind that his car in a Land Rover). Also thinks that passenger leg room is tiny when DD's car seat is in.....He's yet to drive it though!

What do the children think of it?
Well, DD is too small (7 months) and DS (3 y/o) won't see it until tomorrow so will let you know

Do the children fit comfortably in it?
DD has a Primo Viaggio infant carrier so the passenger seat needs to be pulled quite far forward in order to fit it in, saying that, this applies to most cars we've tried it in. Will fit DS seat tomorrow so will update on that one.

How easy is it to fit car seats/ adjust seats etc
DD's fitted very easily and it helps that the back seat appears higher than 'conventional' cars so less bending over to fit it and to lift her in/out of the seat.

What's it like to drive?
Very easy to drive. Very light steering. Excellent visual field

Is it a comfortable ride?
Very comfortable to drive. Long motorway journey tomorrow so will be able to give it a proper run out.

What's the boot space like?
The boot space is small ( but my own car is an estate). However, I can only just fit my DD's stoller in lengthways. However, Going away for a few days so we'll see how it manages the luggage for all 4 of us.

Does it have any useful extras - cup holders etc?
Cup holders, pull down trays on back of front seats, sunglasses holder, childview mirror - will write more when we have used it more

1. Flexible 5 seats - have yet to test flexibility
2. Power operated tailgate - works well. Not sure how 'gimmicky' this is or whether it will actually prove to be of benefit?
3. Active Park Assist - So disappointed that the car does not have this as this was something that I was desperate to try out

Will answer more questions and update after we've been away this weekend.

My favourite bits Being able to sync my phone via bluetooth which means it plays all the music on my phone without faffing around with CD's!! That for me, is a winner!!

Now for some

I have the cmax as well am in a poor internet area just now so on my phone. Will be back in the town this afernoon and will answer all the questions properly then.
We don't hav the active park either but do have loads to say with regard to all the info asked fod here.
We have given a good drive all over the highlands even got Ann a wee scottish gift to send back with the camera.

Hi I'm back.
As I said I have the C-max 5 seater as well.
I did also mention I don't have the Auto Park either, was a little disappointed at this as I was really looking forward to it.

What were you/your partner's first impressions of the car?
It was bigger than I expected, a friends dh has the older version and I for some reason imagined it as much smaller.

What do the children think of it?
Children love it and they would really like to keep it beyond the 3 weeks so far.

Do the children fit comfortably in it?
I have 3 dc in varying car seats and they all do fit fine in a row.

How easy is it to fit car seats/ adjust seats etc
When I got the car I managed to adjust the seat back and make it go up and down but did have to look at the manual to get it forward so I could reach the pedals.
Was easy enough to fit the car seats the only problem I have is that I have one in a booster and one in a high back booster as well as I stage 1 car seat and although they all fit fine it is a real pain trying to get them all plugged in. The middle seat doesn't appear to be a full size seat so it does make it a bit tight for seat belt clipping, there are other makes of car in this class that do have 3 full size back seats and they do just tip this one for space and ease of getting in and out.

What's it like to drive?
Been great to drive, I notice someone said they were giving their dc whiplash with the brakes that is something I usually end up doing when I hire cars and they are awfully new but this time I have been impressed that I haven't done that. I have done a long drive of 125 miles to my parents house and I am usually pretty sore by the time I get here but this time I really wasn't I was so comfortable. The driving position was really comfy and I could make enough adjustments for the seat to be perfect for me.

Is it a comfortable ride?
So far yeah seems to be a really comfortable ride, dc can amuse themselves in teh back.
What's the boot space like?
Boot space is huge, I goe my Bugaboo cameleon and luggage for 5 people in the back, it did fill the boot but a good game of luggage tetrus gets masses in.

Does it have any useful extras - cup holders etc?
Has cup holders down beside the handbrake which my dh uses but in any car I do always fin them a bit of a pain to use as I keep hitting the juice bottle or whaever with my elbow and end up chucking them.

Sorry had to do this in 2 posts my parents internet is not great and didn't want to lose it as it timed out on me.

So far is it economical to run?
Yes I have done a fair amount of driving and I have been impressed by how economical to run it has been.

How does it cope with different road conditions eg town, country, motorway
It has faired pretty well on the country roads It is a big car so not always the best on corners but that is not the cars fault it is just because it is bigger. It is really nippy off the mark in town and comfortable on a long drive.

What do your friends/ family think of it?
Everyone so far has been pretty impressed by it.

Has testing this car made you more or less likely to buy a Ford?
I have never been unlikely to buy a Ford but driving this has made me seriously consider this one.

Has testing this car changed your perception of Ford cars at all?
No my dad had a lot of Ford company cars when I was younger so has actually always been a car I liked and this one is no different.

What one thing do you like best about it?
I like the driving position and the automatic tail gate that bit is so handy when you have a pram and shopping just to press a button as you get to the car.

What one thing would you change about it ?
Nothing so far but again am disappointed I never got to try out the Auto Parki asist.

Thanks for all the feedback so far guys and sorry about the Park Assist - not sure what happened there.

Please do continue to add your comments on how you're using the cars, what your family and friends think etc!

We don't start testing until the 17th, but am wondering what happens to the delivery driver? How does he/she get back? Do they need a ride?

ilovemydog i took our driver (Chris) to a local Ford place where he was collecting another car to drive to London ..... he did say that they usually walk/ get public transport

Well, did a 400 mile round trip this weekend so gave the car a good testing!

So far is it economical to run?
I'll ask DH this one.......

How does it cope with different road conditions eg town, country, motorway
It appears to cope with all types of roads well. However, it doesn't like hills does it? There is a big, long hill on the road from the M5 into torbay which I usually fly up but at one point we were down to 1st gear, willing it to get to the top! it does seems to have no power when it comes to hills.

What do your friends/ family think of it?
They all think it's very smart and spacious and think that Ford should give it to us for testing it on their behalf.........?

Has testing this car made you more or less likely to buy a Ford?
I don't think Ford was a make we were considering but it will certainly get a look-in when we come to change my car in the not too distant future.

Has testing this car changed your perception of Ford cars at all?
I don't think I had a perception of Ford prior to testing this.

What one thing do you like best about it?
The feeling of space; I don't feel cramped up either when driving or a passenger.

What one thing would you change about it ?
I would go for a bigger engine, or perhaps the diesel. I like to know that I have the power when pulling away from junctions and going up hills.

I'm pleased to report that the boot space was fine for our weekend jaunt, which included 2 holdalls, a small suitcase, buggy, travel cot, booster seat, Bumbo seat, various random carrier bags (all of stuff which we forgot to pack in the main bags and remembered as going out the door ), shoes, big coats/little coats (who knows with this weather!) and the obligatory big brolly and my walking boots (which appear to travel everywhere with me, but not quite sure why?).

I'm still not convinced that the power boot is not just a gimmick but jury's out until we have to give car back.

I'm finding the stereo a little too much - I love the fact that it can pick up my iphone via bluetooth but there are so many buttons on the stereo, the only thing I haven't found is the ejector seat (oh, and the park assist ).

With the infant carrier insitu, I've found that there is till plenty of leg room for the passenger without feeling like you are sitting on the dashboard. However, the one thing we are both having difficulty with is knowing where the front corners of the car are. Even with the driver's seat 'pumped' up, the distance from the driving position to the base of the windscreen is so long IYSWIM that it's difficult to judge where the front of the car actually is. Maybe that is something that we will get used to over the next few weeks?

Anyone started their videos yet ?

vodka you do get used to the corner thing my last car was like that as well and it does take a bit of time.

I actually do like the self opening boot did occur to me that it might be a bit of a gimmic but it is great when your hands are full to just press the button and if the ground is wet you don't have to put everything down to get into the boot.

We shifted the dc and DH around a bit for our return trip from the Highlands last night and DH was fine in the back between a car seat and a booster cushion but an adult or even a largish child wouldn't fit in the back between our car seat and High backed booster but was pleasantly surprised at how much room there was in there.

I am starting to get the hang of a few of the buttons and features although today DH phoned me just as I was getting the buggy out the boot and I had realised that I had left my window open so pressed the button from oustide the car leaning in and as soon as I did that the car picked up my phone and dh started booming out the speakers I then had to talk to him that way because I was footering and couldn't get it back onto my phone.

hello fellow testers MN and Ford

i agree with you Vodka that the car is not keen on hills - we are testing the diesel 1.6 and this too seems to stuggle with hills however i am loving our 6th gear which is super ...... the car is a lovely smooth comfortable drive.

we have done the bluetooth/phone sync too, i must comment how clever i think this is.

I have a 2ltr TDi version (I think...) and I agree about it not particularly liking hills. The other day I was in cruise control, and there was an incline, and the cruise control had to cut out as it couldn't manage the hill.

So far is it economical to run? Well, I am getting about 38-42 miles per gallon, I currently get 54 out of my own car. Consequently, I am nervously watching the dash, and wondering how quickly the diesel will run out! Has anyone filled up the 2 litre TDi yet? If so, how much did it cost?

How does it cope with different road conditions I love driving the C-Max on duel carriageways as it has so much power! I know I can over take when I need to, or pull out onto slip roads and get going very quickly. Town driving is easy, I have already mentioned above how useful it is to have the top speed limiter. I must agree with a previous poster about not being able to see/judge the front of the car, it is a bit of an unknown entity when I am driving! I am 5ft 5, so not especially short.

What do your friends/family think of it? My friends can't understand the concept of the test drive at all "What? So you've got it for 3 weeks? And it's totally free? No catch?" Haha! Once they've got over it, I have had nothing but positive comments. My mum liked the fact the seats feel high up. All the little children who have seen the wind mirrors folding in by themselves when the car is locked think they are, in fact, magic. So far, it's all positive praise.

So far is it economical to run?
After our journey at the weekend, we got around 38mpg and usually get 48 out of mine.

Flexible Five Seats
We're not raving about the flexibility tbh; saying that, they do tip up and flatten individually. There is an extra option to move the seats around i.e. move central seat and pull two outer seats together etc but this is not a feature of our particular test model so they don't appear to be any more 'flexible' than other comparable cars with standard seating................MN were you expecting the car to have this more flexible option on it? I think it's called 'comfort seating?'

ineedacleaner... we had a funny episode with our bluetooth; I went out with stepmum to cash point. Left her in the car and went to atm......forgot my DB's pin (was getting cash from his account) so called him but couldn't hear him so I'm standing yelling 'helllooo' down the phone whilst stepmom thought the car had been possessed as she had a deep voice shouting 'Hellloooo' back at her through the speakers ..........I had forgotten to deselect the bluetooth mode and the car picked it up from around 25ft away

Hahaha Vodka that was a bit like me I got such a fright when dh's voice boomed out at me in the middle of a car park.
Newlyconverted I haven't filled it up from empty but about from about 1/4 of a tank and it was just under £50 so am estimating it to be about £60 to fill it.
I am getting between 45-49 miles to the gallon I have been well impressed with it but then I usually have petrol cars so this is probably why.

I agree it is great on dual carriage ways and at roundabouts too also on the A roads I have been using in the Highlands, I know I have plenty of power to get out and past things easily it just takes off.
I have not had any major problems on hills TBH I have had to drop a gear but I've had no struggled really.

This evening we had a bit of rain and I have the wipers set to automatic but it appears to be a bit random as to how wet it has to be before the sensor picks up on the fact it is raining. At one point was really impressed that they came on themselves but later it was a bit heavier rain and they never even noticed. I have had the sensor wipers before on another make of car and they were far better than these have been so far.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's had a problem with bluetooth - first time I used it I rang my mum with my sister and DS in the car. We all jumped a mile and had a funny look from a girl across the road (all windows and doors were shut!) but now I've got to grips with the volume it's ok.

We came back from a camping holiday yesterday (sorry MN, my video diary is a bit behind as I didn't get a chance to do any while we were away, I'll be on it this week though) and it was great. I'll answer the second lot of questions now:

So far is it economical to run?
A full tank has taken it about 720 miles, I assume this is good (I never usually fill up, but it was full on delivery). Mpg on A roads while away averaged about 43-45, so not bad at all really.

How does it cope with different road conditions? eg town, country, motorway
The steering is very light, so around town - in car parks, tight bends etc it's a breeze. Likewise on country roads, very easy round bends. There doesn't seem to be a great deal of power in mine either up hills etc (I have the 2.0ltr TDCi), I've found I need to drop to 4th and foot to the floor to pull up a hill, and foot almost to the floor to maintain speed up hills. Even without being fully laden with camping gear.

What do your friends/ family think of it?
They all love it, and can't quite believe I've got a free new car! The boot function amazes everyone (and it's my favourite bit so I've shown it off a bit )
Has testing this car made you more or less likely to buy a Ford?
More likely I would say.

Has testing this car changed your perception of Ford cars at all?
Yes, definitely. Tbh I've never had a very high opinion of them, as I've only ever driven older Fords, and have never thought them to be particularly "quality" cars, just run of the mill and a bit cheap looking inside. However, this car is very nice inside, it looks nice and is well put together.

What one thing do you like best about it?
The automatic opening boot

What one thing would you change about it?
Acceleration - it needs more power to pull off and maintain speeds on a hill.

VodkaDash - I asked Ford re this and they were a little perplexed as this feature is not on cars in the UK. The seats should "tip and tumble together" - where did you read about moveable seats?

I am getting a Grand C-Max on the 17th for my test and going off the comments on here, I will make sure I find a hill to test it on. (we do have undulating roads here but not many big hills) but I am expecting to find it alot nippier than my hulk of a Galaxy that i drive at the mo.

Ok after toing and froing on how I felt about the automatic tail gate I am now a huge fan.
I got back from Sainsburys yesterday and grabbed my bags out the car and as I am not great at forward thinking often do this then realise I can't close the boot it was great to be able to just press the button on the fob and it closed.

The only thing I am really perplexed about the use of is the massive panoramic roof thing. When it has been really sunny outside it has been useless as it makes the car really hot and the dc kept complaining about the sun in their eyes so the cover has been mostly shut on it, we did have the cover open yesterday but it was dull and raining which seems to defeat the purpose of it really.

AnnMumsnet It says about the seating in the manual. I've not tried it out but DH says you can individually 'tip and tumble' each seat and it appears that you can remove them individually too. It's the comfort seating bit (explained in the manual) that is not present. We'll try it out and video it.

i had hill problems today again you have to move down a gear as there just wasnt the power to move & my pedal was on the floor ...... i was driving in Stafford, myself and DCs went to a place called Amerton Farm (it was very nice BTW)

i thought that it might be because i have the 1.6 so was saddened to see you have the same problem with your 2ltr edward

Ok, the strangest thing happened today...

I took the car to the forest with my frined and our combined 3 dc. On locking the car, I obviosuly ensured everything was closed and safe, as I would with any car.

On returning to the C-Max 2 hours later, my friend pointed out that 3 of the 4 windows were wide open . The front 2 were completely down, and one of the back ones was down as far as it goes. They were definitely closed when we left the car, I remember shutting the front ones before I turned off the engine (which is habit in any car, I'd always press the window 'up' button), and the girl in the back seat hadn't even opened her window.

I told dh and he suggested a problem with the electrics? Whatever it was, I was a bit nervous, imagining what could have happened if it had happened in a different, busier car park...

NewlyConvertedFordLover - how odd - can you give the demo centre a call? The number was on the pdf I sent you. Let me know if you need it again....

Just wanted to check you all had the email re the return of the cameras/photos etc? If any probs please email [email protected] thanks