Ford Grand C-MAX MPV (2011-2019)

The Ford Grand C-MAX can seat seven, but it’s actually a mid-sized MPV because of its relatively small footprint. So it faces rivals such as the Renault Grand Scenic, Citroen Grand C4 Picasso and Vauxhall Zafira Tourer.

Its rakish looks may not be to everyone’s liking, but the car provides plenty of clues about how it performs on the road: it’s hands-down the best to drive in its class. In fact, the C-MAX shares its platform with the Ford Focus, so perhaps the MPV’s excellent handling shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, given that car’s fun reputation.

And while the Grand C-MAX is fun to drive, it’s also practical, with sliding rear doors that provide easy access to the second and third rows of seats. That rear pair is really only suitable for kids, although the middle row can be slid forwards to boost rear legroom.

Many MPVs cover above-average miles and if you want maximum miles per gallon the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel is the one to go for, as it averages 57.7mpg with a manual gearbox. If petrol power’s your thing, there’s choice of two 1.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engines, with either 99 or 123bhp, or a 148bhp 1.5-litre Ecoboost unit.

The two 1.0-litre units both return an identical 47.9mpg, while the 1.5-litre is considerably less economical at 35.8mpg. It sounds ridiculous to put a 1.0-litre engine in a car that can carry seven people, but it’s a fantastic thing, having done sterling service in the Fiesta as well as the Focus. It offers plenty of pulling power, particularly in 123bhp guise, enabling the Grand C-MAX to keep up with motorway traffic.

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As with engine choice, there are just three trim levels on offer: Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X. Zetec gets you air-conditioning, DAB digital radio, 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity and a heated windscreen. The Titanium adds an eight-inch touchscreen, keyless entry, cruise control and rear parking sensors, while Titanium X models get a panoramic sunroof.