| A Week at the Wheel | Cambs, England | Ford C-Max Titanium 2.0 Auto |

Inside & Out:

The C-Max isn't intended to be the most sporting of Ford's SUVs - the S-Max holds that fort - but the C-Max has more than a few athletic overtones in its styling. Our test car was fitted with the optional sports suspension and larger alloys that lend a real purpose to the stance. Its bloodline is unmistakable, but the differentiations are clear and welcomed; it's a very good looking SUV.

Inside the compromise struck between form and function is an almost perfect balance. The C-Max only offers five seats, but the accommodation is more than generous and by not squeezing in two - mostly occasional - small seats into a third row, the boot space is preserved. Ergonomics are sound and the functionality reflects the C-Max's purpose as a utility vehicle as well as a family car.

Engine & Transmission:

It is something of a mystery why buyers of this kind of car still consider the mid-range petrol engines over the diesel offerings. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine is smooth and refined enough for everyday use, but gets excessively vocal when extended and our average of 25mpg - during a week with little time spent cruising the motorway - is a poor return for a family car.

Given the C-Max's potential to entertain, the combination of engine and gearbox was a disappointing one; gear ratios are too long and the manual shift function too ponderous. In most contexts, particularly around town, the combination was fine, but on the open road it fell slightly short and left the C-Max feeling a little underpowered; you have to work the engine hard to make good progress.

Benchmark performance figures don't reflect this completely; in gear times are likely to be more representative. No doubt that both performance and economy were stunted by the automatic gearbox, but overall the diesel alternative's blend of effortless pace and frugality would make it the common sense choice that easily offsets any premium in terms of initial outlay.

Ride & Handling:

Ford's acumen in the development and tuning of chassis is well known and it comes of no surprise to find that the C-Max is the most enjoyable small MPV on sale. Rivals such as VW's Touran cannot compete with the C-Max's fluent and composed chassis, particularly when fitted with the optional sports suspension as our test car was. It is arguable as to whether a family car needs such lofty standards of handling, but given its role as a lifestyle vehicle we welcome such an enjoyable and exploitable chassis.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

The standard specification of this range topping Titanium model is extensive, ensuring the C-Max is a competitive offering in terms of cost and value for money. Parking sensors are a sensible option, as is cruise control given the car's likely usage, but it doesn't want for much more. Economy, in the specification we were provided for test, is not a strength and isn't what most would expect in a family car; selecting the diesel engine would address this weakness, with little or no penalty in performance.

Overall:

The Ford C-Max remains the default choice for the enthusiastic driver in this segment. Ignoring this trump card weakens its case very slightly, cars like the Mazda5 perhaps offer a more complete family car package, but overall it remains our favourite small MPV. However, we would specify the diesel engine - the trade off is well worth it.