C-Max & Focus

yop

Folks
You who have driven or owned both might give me some insight.

Is there a major difference between the standard Focus and C-Max, we have a wee-un due in Jan and I was going to get my wife a C-Max, but looking at the this and the standard Cmax, is there really much difference in space, I can see the C-Max is higher but is there much more room?

Thanks

Stevie Dakota

I think someone asked this very question a few months ago. I own a Focus and have driven a C-Max and TBH a don't see the point in the CMax. It's tall for no good reason and the boot is not really that much bigger than the Focus.

However if kids are a concern get something with the biggest boot you can, you'll be amazed at the stuff you end up karting around. We have a Megane Estate and it is perfect for our 2 kids, a Focus estate may be the way to go.

yop

Thanks Stevie.

I must see if I can find some technical data on the boot sizes because I am now doubting the need to get a fricking C-Max now at all!

Alun

yop wrote: »

Thanks Stevie.

I must see if I can find some technical data on the boot sizes because I am now doubting the need to get a fricking C-Max now at all!

Boot space (without putting back seats down) is 396 litres for the hatchback vs. 550 litres for the C-Max. The boot is also a more useful shape in that it's a bit taller than the standard Focus.

The rest of the car feels a bit more roomy to me, especially the headroom if that's important, and rear passengers always comment on how much legroom there is. In reality I think it's only 4 inches taller, all other dimensions are pretty much identical.

shamwari

I've owned a 1.8TDDi Mk1 Focus Estate, and wifey now has @ CMax 1.6TDCi. Both are excellent cars with the CMax obviously having the elevated seating position.

My wife has problems with her back and managing small kids is much easier in the CMax rather than lifting them into and out of a car at "normal" heights. You do pay a premium for the extra height but it's definetly of benefit if your needs or circumstances require it.

Our CMax averages around 45mpg in mixed driving, wheras a neighbour with a 1.6 petrol one claims he is getting around 10mpg less with similar use.

shedweller

The back seats appear to be more or less the same, in terms of width. The only benefit of the c-max would be the two seats in the boot. But then you have no boot. And as yop pointed out, there is extra height but when do you use that? We don't wear top hats every day do we?:D

Alun

shedweller wrote: »

The back seats appear to be more or less the same, in terms of width. The only benefit of the c-max would be the two seats in the boot. But then you have no boot. And as yop pointed out, there is extra height but when do you use that? We don't wear top hats every day do we?:D

There are no seats in the boot .. are you thinking of the S-Max, maybe? The C-Max is just a 5-seater. Headroom might be important for taller people, but even if you're only 5'10" like me it all adds to the roomy feeling. It's only 5cm difference anyway.

yop

Ok thanks for the feedback.

So the main thing is the bootspace, wonder though would a Focus still manage a buggy and bags?

I would be getting a 1.6 TDCI in both cases.

yop

just to add to that, according the little bit of checking I did there on the net the bootsize is 385 litres for the Focus and 563 in the C-Max, thats seems like a bigger difference than I expected.

kerten

C-Max is more flexible car for family needs and high seating position is makes you feel better when you are stucked in traffic.

Trust me Kids prefer more headroom and high seating position in long journeys too.

yop

kerten wrote: »

C-Max is more flexible car for family needs and high seating position is makes you feel better when you are stucked in traffic.

Trust me Kids prefer more headroom and high seating position in long journeys too.

So if I drove a truck I would feel better

Sorry I am only kidding, my wife loves the Focus as its "high" and she is nosey :P

I get what you are saying about long journeys but in Mayo there is feck all traffic The car will be doing about 4k miles per year.

Gregor Samsa

yop wrote: »

So the main thing is the bootspace, wonder though would a Focus still manage a buggy and bags?

I have an 03 Saloon Focus. Boot is big enough for everything for 2 adults and a baby (ours is nearly 2 now) for a weekend away. Sometimes we have to put a few bags in the back seat - the wife likes to bring a lot of stuff. However, I think the saloon boot is a little longer than the hatchback (but you can pile stuff higher in the hatch).

Be careful regarding the size of buggies - we have a Bugaboo Cameleon which is a 2 part buggy, and it's very big. It fits in the Focus boot, but only sideways, and takes up most of the boot floor space. We have a Mazda 6 too, and it fits neatly on one side in that. When travelling in the Focus, we bring a much neater stroller - but this kind of thing wouldn't be suitable for a very young baby. Believe me, buying buggies/car seats is an even bigger nightmare than trying to figure out what car will fit them!

Congratulations, and best of luck with your pending arrival.

yop

phutyle wrote: »

I have an 03 Saloon Focus. Boot is big enough for everything for 2 adults and a baby (ours is nearly 2 now) for a weekend away. Sometimes we have to put a few bags in the back seat - the wife likes to bring a lot of stuff. However, I think the saloon boot is a little longer than the hatchback (but you can pile stuff higher in the hatch).

Be careful regarding the size of buggies - we have a Bugaboo Cameleon which is a 2 part buggy, and it's very big. It fits in the Focus boot, but only sideways, and takes up most of the boot floor space. We have a Mazda 6 too, and it fits neatly on one side in that. When travelling in the Focus, we bring a much neater stroller - but this kind of thing wouldn't be suitable for a very young baby. Believe me, buying buggies/car seats is an even bigger nightmare than trying to figure out what car will fit them!

Thanks for that advice, it is something I am very consisous about and have little or no knowledge!

I have asked my wife to go to look at her friends Cmax and see what she thinks.
She will make the call on it

Stevie Dakota

yop wrote: »

just to add to that, according the little bit of checking I did there on the net the bootsize is 385 litres for the Focus and 563 in the C-Max, thats seems like a bigger difference than I expected.

Funny, that sounds like a big difference on paper but when we rented a CMax it did not feel that much bigger.

A Focus hatchback while OK for one child can be a squeeze when buggies and other stuff is added to the mix, I still think an estate makes a better proposition. We've looked at replacing our estate with MPV's and such, but everyone we look at has a seriously compromised boot by comparison.

kerten

yop wrote: »

So if I drove a truck I would feel better

Sorry I am only kidding, my wife loves the Focus as its "high" and she is nosey :P

I get what you are saying about long journeys but in Mayo there is feck all traffic The car will be doing about 4k miles per year.

Absolutely you would feel better with a truck, think about overtaking learner driver with 6.0 lt v12 in a backroad:D

If it is that low mileage you are going to do, I would consider cost, diesel-petrol choice, how easy to put kids in and out,size of car for parking etc.

Focus is a good car but I prefer C-max over it personally for its flexibility and better visibility.Test both in same day then pick one you like.

Good luck!

Stevie Dakota

phutyle wrote: »

Be careful regarding the size of buggies - we have a Bugaboo Cameleon which is a 2 part buggy, and it's very big. It fits in the Focus boot, but only sideways, and takes up most of the boot floor space. We have a Mazda 6 too, and it fits neatly on one side in that. When travelling in the Focus, we bring a much neater stroller - but this kind of thing wouldn't be suitable for a very young baby. Believe me, buying buggies/car seats is an even bigger nightmare than trying to figure out what car will fit them!

Good advice there, a bit OT but Bugaboos are the work of the devil, avoid at all costs. I know two women who where seduced by there trendiness and couldn't wait to be rid of them. Enormous, unwieldy yokes with stupid little wheels.

hobochris

There is a few c-max's going cheep on carzone.. quite a bit cheaper then there focus equivalents.