Does Ford’s compact MPV B-Max make sense with the 1.0 T Ecoboost petrol motor, wonders Al Suttie?
1 – With 125hp from its 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, the Ecoboost B-Max feels nippier than its 10.9 second 0-62mph dash suggests.
2 – It helps there’s 125lb ft of torque that works well with the five-speed manual gearbox to make it flexible on the move.
3 – As you’d expect, the transmission has a snicky, precise action that adds to the B-Max’s driving fun.
4 – Decent handling courtesy of its Fiesta-derived chassis puts the Renault Captur and Vauxhall Meriva in the shade.
5 – The claimed 57.7mpg is also enticing, but reality bites here with an average of 39.8mpg during our week with the car.
6 – Still, emissions of 114g/km won’t bust the budget if you need the versatility offered by this compact people carrier.
7 – There may be only five pews, but the Ford has sliding side doors to make loading up the kids a doddle.
8 – However, the seats are quite narrow, so three abreast is a tight fit even with youngsters filling up the rear bench.
9 – It’s a better deal for the driver, with a good seating position and all-round view.
10 – The dash main dash is clear to read, but the infotainment is now showing its age in layout and ease of use.
