Ford C-Max vs Ford S-Max
Figures updated
The Ford C-Max and Ford S-Max are two of the UK's most popular people carriers. We compare the Mk2 (2010–2019) C-Max and the Mk2 (2015–2023) S-Max on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 199,003 real MOT tests.
The short answer
The Ford S-Max comes out ahead, with the bigger boot; the Ford C-Max is close on everything else.
- The Ford S-Max has the biggest boot: 965 litres, 533 more than the Ford C-Max.
- Euro NCAP safety: Ford C-Max 3 stars (2017), Ford S-Max 5 stars (2015). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- Their MOT records are close: once age and mileage are taken into account, they fail about as often as each other.
- Running costs are close: the petrol versions cost within £19 a year of each other to fuel at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the seat belts and airbags on a Ford S-Max: it fails on them 1.5 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Ford C-MaxMk2 (2010–2019), 5-door MPV | Ford S-MaxMk2 (2015–2023), 5-door MPV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door MPV | 5-door MPV |
| Seats | 5 | 7 (best) |
| BootSeats up / folded | 432 litres / 1,684 | 965 litres / 2,020 (best) |
| Length | 4,379mm | 4,796mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,828mm | 1,916mm |
| Height | 1,610mm | 1,655mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 100–150 PS | 150–190 PS (best) |
| 0–62mph | 9.5–12.6 sec | 9.5–10.8 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2017) | ★★★★★ (2015) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid | Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 34.0–62.8 mpg | 35.8–56.5 mpg |
| CO2 | 119–189 g/km | 129–180 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,346 (43.5 mpg) | £1,327 (44.1 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,364 (49.6 mpg) (best) | £1,534 (44.1 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,346 (petrol) | £1,327 (petrol) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £35 to £410 | £170 to £760 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 101Average | 100Average |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 33.1% (best) | 35.2% |
| Failed at 3 years old | – | 16.8% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 15.5% (best) | 23.7% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 29.3% (best) | 37.1% |
| Most common MOT fault | Brake pads (3.3% of tests) | Tread depth (4.0% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Seat belts and airbags (1.5×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 126,182 | 72,821 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | MPV / people carrier | MPV / people carrier |
| Owners' average miles a year | 7,300 | 9,400 |
| On sale | 2010–2019 | 2015–2023 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Ford C-Max or the Ford S-Max more reliable?
There's little in it. Once age and mileage are taken into account, both fail their MOT about as often as each other (reliability scores 101 and 100, where 100 is average).
›Which is bigger, the Ford C-Max or the Ford S-Max?
The Ford S-Max is 417mm longer (4,796mm against 4,379mm). The Ford S-Max has the bigger boot: 965 litres against 432.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Ford C-Max or the Ford S-Max?
Comparing petrol versions, fuel costs are within £19 a year of each other at 7,500 miles, using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Ford C-Max or the Ford S-Max?
Euro NCAP gave the Ford C-Max 3 stars (2017) and the Ford S-Max 5 stars (2015). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Ford C-Max or the Ford S-Max?
The Ford S-Max comes out ahead, with the bigger boot; the Ford C-Max is close on everything else. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.