2012 Ford Grand C-Max

What's New for 2012

The 2012 Ford C-Max is new to the U.S. market and is based on the Focus platform.

Introduction

The minivan is back. Not those massive "minivan-in-name-only" models, but the real compact people carriers that took the marketplace by storm in the mid-1980s. The 2012 Ford C-Max joins the similarly sized Mazda 5 to offer buyers a more parking-lot-friendly and energy-efficient alternative.

The C-Max is based on the new 2012 Ford Focus and adopts many of the same styling cues. It features standard seating for five, and an optional third-row seat boosts that number to seven. The rear doors slide, and the rear liftgate can be optioned with truly hands-free operation. With the key fob in your pocket, you just swipe your leg under the rear bumper to activate the power liftgate. Other options include active park assist, a panoramic sunroof, a rearview camera, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, the Ford Sync and MyFord Touch interfaces, and navigation.

The C-Max's base engine will be a 2.5-liter inline-4 that is rated at 168 horsepower. Buyers can opt for a turbocharged 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-4 engine that makes 180 hp on premium fuel. A six-speed automatic will be the only available transmission. Ford is promising to bring out hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the C-Max, perhaps as soon as the 2013 model year.

Inside the cabin, the 2012 Ford C-Max features sliding and reclining second-row seats. The middle seat can be folded under the right-hand seat to create a narrow walk-through space to access the third row. Maximum cargo capacity behind the front seats is just over 70 cubic feet -- about half as much as what you get from a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, but still a very useful amount for most families. As with the Mazda 5, though, luggage space is pretty much eliminated if the third-row seats are in place.

We'll know more about the C-Max's strengths and weaknesses as we get closer to its fall 2011 on-sale date. Check back later for complete buying advice and driving impressions.