Ford C-MAX review - Interior, design and technology
Good amount of standard equipment, but the C-MAX is lacking in design flair inside and out
The C-MAX disguises its MPV proportions well, with a design taking inspiration from the Iosis MAX concept from the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. A 2015 facelift helped smooth lines and bring the people carrier up to date, adding a lightly revised front end and new rear lights.
Following tweaks to the Focus in 2014, the C-MAX has inherited its sibling’s more modern interior, with the same piano-black centre console, smart dials and high-quality materials. Titanium models and above now get the handy SYNC3 touchscreen with voice control – although it’s worth noting that sat-nav will cost you extra.
Entry-level Zetec cars come with 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, heated door mirrors, air-con and a DAB radio. Titanium cars get 17-inch alloys, automatic lights and wipers, climate control, a start button and cruise control, while range-topping Titanium X cars add luxuries like xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof, part-leather seats, heated front seats and a new design of 17-inch alloy wheels.
Options include a Driver Assistance Pack with active city stop, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition, as well as auto headlights and wipers. There’s also a Convenience Pack with parking aids and powerfold mirrors – but both will set you back more than £500 each.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
The C-MAX now comes with Ford’s latest SYNC 3 infotainment system. This unit has abandoned the four-way home screen of SYNC 2 in favour of a main screen for the optional sat-nav (around £300) overlaid by large shortcut keys for the phone and stereo. Other functions can easily be accessed via a menu bar that runs along the bottom of the screen.
SYNC 3 addresses many of the criticisms of the older unit; it’s now far less laggy and responds faster and more intuitively to your inputs. It also features larger ‘virtual’ buttons that are easier to hit on the move, and gets smartphone-style pinch and swipe functionality that allows you to quickly zoom in on sat-nav maps, for instance. Another worthwhile addition is the brand’s AppLink, which essentially gives you quick and easy access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
