2012 Ford C-MAX Preview

The C-MAX, due out and on sale in the U.S. in late 2011, is a compact car and new concept for the American market by Ford designed to be a cross between a small car, and a minivan. Sold in Europe for five years now, Ford believes that with the war on fluctuating gas prices in full swing and Americans dumping the larger SUVs and heavy duty trucks in record numbers, this is the time for compromise. Those drivers who need the size and space of a minivan, but want the better mileage of a compact vehicle can say welcome to the 2012 Ford C-MAX.

Specifications

• Pricing: Base Price MSRP between $15,800 to $22,500.
• Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged V4 pumping out 230 horsepower.
• Transmission: Front-wheel drive with either a six-speed automatic or manual.
• Warranty: The C-MAX will probably be backed by Ford’s standard 3-year/36,000 mile warranty.

Exterior Features

The Ford C-MAX manages to combine the body of a tall compact and a crossover SUV quite effectively, including the use of the sliding rear doors that you would expect on a minivan. There is a third row of seating available with room for seven passengers, though you shouldn’t expect much room in that third row due to the car’s design. The styling cues for the C-MAX come straight from the Ford Fiesta line of cars with the tapered hoodline, two-tier grille large wheel arch bulges, trapezoidal headlamps and creased lower body lines.

When it comes to safety, cars designed for the European market tend to perform very well and as the C-MAX comes to the U.S. expectations should be no less, including ABS, stability and traction control, curtain side airbags for all three rows, front-side airbags and your standard dual-stage front airbags.

Interior Features

There are a few different seating configurations available for the C-MAX, which features a generally comfortable interior with plenty of room for the front seat, adequate room for the second row, and next to none for the third row. Standard upholstery will certainly be cloth, but there should be a trim level that offers leather as standard as well. High-tech options should be available as can be found on other Ford vehicles including Blluetooth, automatic climate control systems, rear-entertainment systems, iPod and cell phone connections and of course, Ford’s Sync voice control system.

Competition for the 2012 Ford C-MAX

Competitors for the 2012 C-MAX will likely include:

• Kia Rondo
• Mazda5

The Kia Rondo has great crash test scores and a warranty far superior to Ford’s. The price is comparable to what the C-MAX is expected to go for. The Mazda5 is far less expensive, provides a quick and nimble drive and the sliding second row seats provide for slightly more room in the third row seat but no much.