The Ford C-Max used to be a darling of the family car market, providing plenty of space in an easy-to-park footprint and economical engines.
But in recent years, what was a lake of MPVs has dried up to a puddle, with many carmakers focusing on trendier and more profitable SUVs instead. That’s not a bad thing necessarily – many SUVs are still practical enough for family clutter and usually give you a better view of the road ahead. These are the best alternatives to the Ford C-Max.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
There’s nothing wrong with the Blue Oval badge on your Ford C-Max’s steering wheel, but what if you fancy something with a bit more cachet? Enter the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, which boasts some posher materials than the Ford and probably a bit more performance without sacrificing running costs. The Active Tourer is the closest remaining rival to the C-Max in terms of its body style, with the tall hatchback design hiding a fantastically practical cabin and a boot that’s a similar size to the C-Max. Used examples are surprisingly affordable, too.
Shop used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer cars for sale or read our BMW 2 Series Active Tourer review
Dacia Jogger
It’s not often that you’ll find a BMW and a Dacia on the same list, but there are deeper similarities than the two cars’ athletic names. The Jogger’s rugged estate/MPV body style oozes no-nonsense charm and impressive space – there are three individual middle-row seats for adults to get comfy in, and a third row that provides a pair of extra seats when you need them. The interior is logical but doesn’t feel sparse – partly due to a surprisingly strong standard kit list, including bright LED headlights.
Shop used Dacia Jogger cars for sale
Hyundai Tucson
Not only is the Hyundai Tucson one of the most striking SUVs, it’s also one of the most practical. You get acres of space for growing teenagers’ legs, and a big boot if they decide to take up the cello (or start a removal business). In fact, the boot is almost 50% larger than the C-Max’s 432 litres. Up front, the Tucson boasts a premium interior with all the latest mod cons, while under the bonnet there’s a choice of normal petrol and several hybrid engines.
Shop used Hyundai Tucson cars for sale or read our Hyundai Tucson review
Citroen C5 Aircross
The Citroen C5 Aircross is another front-runner in the SUV space race, offering a huge 580 litres with the seats pushed back and a cavernous 720 litres if you can convince rear-seat passengers to give up a bit of legroom. That shouldn’t be too difficult – there’s plenty of room anyway, and the three individual rear seats mean that everyone gets an equal share of the pie. Comfort is top billing in the C5 Aircross – it has squidgy sofa-like seats and extra suspension damping to make sure that the UK’s almost Martian road surfaces don’t disturb the peace inside.
Shop used Citroen C5 Aircross cars for sale or read our Citroen C5 Aircross review
SEAT Ateca
You might have noticed that the Ford C-Max drives surprisingly well for a family workhorse. If you don’t want to miss that, you could stick with the Blue Oval and go for the Kuga, or try something else. We’d recommend the SEAT Ateca, which benefits from VW Group sophistication and a slick driving experience. Fun when you want it, unflappable when you just want to get home. The Ateca also boasts a spacious cabin and more boot space than the C-Max, plus that lovely SUV ride height boost.
Shop used SEAT Ateca cars for sale or read our SEAT Ateca review
