Ford continues to field its C-Max in a small class of compact vans and wagons that includes the Kia Rondo and Soul and the Mazda5. Conceived in Europe as a more spacious variant of the Focus compact, the C-Max has only been marketed in North America as a stand-alone model.
Further setting it apart from the Focus is a hybrid powertrain not shared with the Focus. For 2017, the C-Max Hybrid carries over with Ford’s gas-electric powertrain. New for this year is updated front-end styling, new headlights and taillights and an all-new top-end Titanium trim.
That new trim gives the C-Max a model that comes standard with luxury features that had been options in the past and creates a bit of cachet for the driver: Titanium has become known as the top-end trim level in a number of Ford’s models.
A 2.0L gas engine is paired with an electric motor to produce a total of 188 hp. Fuel consumption estimates for the C-Max Hybrid are 5.6/6.4 L/100 km (city/highway).
C-Max is a nice vehicle to drive, with decent handling and a grown-up feel that belies its size, but it suffers a deficit in cargo space thanks to the large hybrid battery under the cargo floor.
C-Max Hybrid comes in SE and Titanium trims.
Standard features in the C-Max’s SE trim ($27,328) include 17-inch wheels, six-way driver and four-way passenger manual front seat adjustments, cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, six-speaker stereo with SYNC infotainment system, a 110-volt power outlet and two 12-volt outlets, cruise control, leather-trimmed shifter and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and keyless entry.
The new Titanium ($31,958) gets a unique 17-inch wheel design, leather seats and a 10-way power front passenger seat with lumbar. Among the available options is a foot-operated hands-free tailgate.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
