Ford B-MAX MPV (2012-2017) - Engines, drive & performance
Avoid the sluggish entry-level Ford B-MAX engines and you’ll be driving the most enjoyable car in its class
The Ford B-MAX is based on the Ford Fiesta, which is renowned for being the most fun-to-drive car in its class. Despite being taller and leaning more than the supermini in corners, the B-MAX shares its sharp steering and responsive handling, making it the most enjoyable mini MPV you can buy. However, the suspension is quite firm – a Citroen C3 Picasso will be more comfortable on rough roads.
No version of the B-MAX is particularly quick – if this is a big concern, the Vauxhall Meriva is available with faster petrol and diesel versions, which can hit 62mph from a standing start in as little as 9.9 seconds.
Ford B-MAX petrol engines
Out of all the engines, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol feels the most sprightly, particularly if you go for the 123bhp version, which can accelerate from 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds. Poor performance means the 1.4-litre petrol is only really suited to town driving, producing too little power to enable confident driving on faster roads and motorways. If you want your B-MAX to take the family on weekend trips to the country, we’d recommend the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol or the 94bhp diesel, which can overtake slower traffic in a safer fashion.
Diesel engines
The B-MAX diesel engines are a little pricier than the petrols, while also being significantly slower on paper. The 0-62mph sprint takes a disappointing 15.1 seconds in the 1.5-litre 74bhp version. Like the entry-level petrol, this engine is best avoided if you plan to do long journeys regularly. The 94bhp 1.5-litre diesel is faster, although it’s no more expensive to run than the 74bhp version. This model takes 13 seconds to get from 0-62mph.
