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Original poster

New (2nd hand) family car - Kia Sportage or Ford C-Max?

37 replies

SatsumaFan · 22/01/2019 16:48

We are looking to replace our 12yr old diesel Touran for something slightly smaller (don't need 7 seats), but petrol (as I only do short trips), with a big boot and economical. I prefer a higher driving position. Budget is £12k max.

I was looking to test drive these two on the weekend but wondered if there was anything I should be looking out for particularly? I know the Ford (looking at a 1.0ltr EcoBoost) has a slightly larger boot, is cheaper on tax and more economical, but I prefer the look of the Kia.

Any thoughts appreciated! Smile

New (2nd hand) family car - Kia Sportage or Ford C-Max?
OP posts:
CocoLoco87 · 22/01/2019 16:59

Skoda Karoq is meant to be very reliable. Similar in size to sportage I think.

Original poster
SatsumaFan · 22/01/2019 17:03

Out of my price range unfortunately Sad Would love a Kodiaq or Karoq.

OP posts:
Bigonesmallone3 · 22/01/2019 17:09

I much prefer the look of the sportage

Original poster
SatsumaFan · 22/01/2019 18:21

Me too! Shame it doesn't compare to the boring C-max in terms of running costs...

OP posts:
NoFucksImAQueen · 22/01/2019 18:26

do NOT get the c max especially the 1litre engine as it's one of the ones that has a fault that Ford is now acknowledging and offering to pay for. I bought ours for the same reasons as you and it's been a nightmare. had it just under a year and the engine failed so was replaced under warranty but I had no car for a month. second engine went a few weeks back, 9 months after it was put it. I'm selling it now as I'm sick of my car being in the garage all the bloody time

Original poster
SatsumaFan · 22/01/2019 19:29

Oh no @NoFucksImAQueen ! What a nightmare. I had heard they had issues before 2013/15 but we should be ok if newer? What year was yours?

OP posts:
RockCrushesLizard · 22/01/2019 19:48

We had a Cmax, and I really loved it. It's just wide enough for three car seats across the back, without feeling like a tank.

Good fuel economy, great books and crannies for keeping stuff in. My only gripe was that it was a bit noisy - sounded like a London cab!

Original poster
SatsumaFan · 22/01/2019 20:15

@RockCrushesLizard what year was yours please? And was it a petrol or diesel?

It would be nice to get three car seats across the back still. Not sure we can do that in the Sportage.

OP posts:
bonzo77 · 22/01/2019 20:18

My petrol cmax has shocking fuel economy. The thing is saying 32.7 mpg round town. Admittedly it’s the 1.6. I think the build quality is poor too. I’m comparing it to my smax (same year, diesel, also titanium spec).

Original poster
SatsumaFan · 22/01/2019 20:22

@bonzo77 what year is your C-max?

I'm thinking the Sportage will have similar fuel economy to my current diesel Touran Sport (170bhp). Off to Auto Trader to check!

OP posts:
SkylightAndChandelier · 22/01/2019 20:27

Driven various big vehicles - not a c-max though, and thought the sportage was very good for the price. Don't consider going up a size to the Santa Fe though - it was diabolical

My last two cars have been fords, and the build quality isn't spectacular - I'd say the sport age I drove just about edged it out

keiratwiceknightly · 22/01/2019 20:29

C-max v unreliable. I had one and will never buy another ford because it was so poor. Kia pretty good.

Singletomingle · 22/01/2019 20:34

I have a cmax 1.8 diesel on long runs it hits 50 mpg in 2 years its had nothing but new tyres.

RockCrushesLizard · 22/01/2019 20:52

Mine was 2013, diesel.
I could do a stage 1 seat, high backed booster, and a booster seat in the middle. Only just, but well enough for lifts etc.

bonzo77 · 22/01/2019 20:53

It’s a 15 plate.

bonzo77 · 22/01/2019 20:54

But I do get 3 seats in. A HBB, an ERF and a booster cushion. Not enough space to have a 2nd HBB instead of the cushion.

Original poster
SatsumaFan · 22/01/2019 21:04

@bonzo77 I'm looking at 15 plates too, but looking at the difference between the 1.6 petrol and 1.0 EcoBoost the latter does seem to quote better fuel economy (and only £30 per year tax).

Thanks for all your opinions so far - keep em coming! WhatCar reviews say Kia has brilliant reliability, but no grunt and drive isn't great. C-max is punchier and better to drive.

Decisions decisions!

OP posts:
Original poster
SatsumaFan · 22/01/2019 21:05

Forgot to show the comparison between 1.6 and 1.0 C-max

New (2nd hand) family car - Kia Sportage or Ford C-Max?
OP posts:
Blankscreen · 22/01/2019 21:11

I've got a cmax and it is just well a bit boring. My sister has the Kia and I would say it feels as though it has better build quality. Mine is. 1.6 litre petriol it's ok on fuel.
It doesn't have much power which I notice on the motorway but around town it's fine
Something did go wrong with our engine a couple of years ago it was just out of the two year warranty was £400 ish to fix. Car is 5 years old and has just done £42k miles so it was low mileage when it went wrong. That said nothing else since other than brakes and tyres.

As some one else said I like the fact you can get three car seats across the back of you need to.

In summary I don't loce it but it does its job and it's a safe good sized car which was relatively cheap.

NoFucksImAQueen · 22/01/2019 21:35

mines a 13 but if you look 9m the Facebook page ecoboost nightmare I saw one person on there with a 17 plate

twobetwobetwo · 22/01/2019 21:39

Had a Sportage, loved it

Original poster
SatsumaFan · 22/01/2019 21:42

@Blankscreen thank you for your thoughts! I agree all Fords the C-Max is the boring, safe, practical option.

The kids are 5 and 8 so am thinking do I just suck it up for now and go for the sensible option (and pray that I don't get a dodgy EcoBOOM engine), then in 5yrs time have a mid-life crisis and get something fun and sporty then?!

OP posts:
Parky04 · 22/01/2019 21:52

Currently have a Sportage and absolutely love it!

doistayordoigo · 22/01/2019 21:56

Second hand Kias can have the balance of the 7 year warranty as well, as long as they've been serviced properly...peace of mind if anything does go wrong.

Wittow · 22/01/2019 22:00

I had a sportage as a lease car and was sad when I had to give it back when I left the job I was in. Would recommend. They also have a 7 year warranty which I don't think can be beat.