This 1.5-litre diesel C-max is by far the biggest seller in the revised mini-MPV’s range, accounting for a predicted 71% of registrations, while more than half of cars will be the now entry-level Zetec specification.

The C-max ranked 18th in the list of fleet best sellers for 2014, so this mid-life refresh is of an important model to the brand and the market.

The 120hp 1.5 diesel is also new, and is 12% more efficient, Ford claims, than the 115hp 1.6 it replaces. That means 105g/km and 68.9mpg, taking the C-max down to the same level as the equivalent Renault Scenic, but 5g/km behind Citroen’s 120hp C4 Picasso diesel. 

The new engine is a good match for the mini-MPV C-max, offering enough power given the emissions figures.

It’s fair to say the C-max’s strengths aren’t particularly in its looks or interior quality, with both lagging behind the best rivals, and wind noise and engine refinement are also not top of the class.

Cabin plastics reinforce the fact that they have chosen the entry trim level; likewise the absence of equipment such as auto lights and wipers, rear electric windows or cruise control that you find on vehicles costing less than this. The £1500 step up to Titanium spec is well worth considering.

The driving experience is better, with Ford’s well-established ride and handling excellence again evident, while residual values beat what the likes of Citroen, Renault and Kia can offer, if still a little behind VW’s more expensive Touran.

But the combination of good efficiency, decent residual values and a competitive P11D price makes for a winning cost per mile case, coming in 1.4p per mile better than the Citroen C4 Picasso that leads the segment in volume terms.