Ford C-Max vs Volkswagen Touran
Figures updated
The Ford C-Max and Volkswagen Touran are two of the UK's most popular people carriers. We compare the Mk2 (2010–2019) C-Max and the Mk2 (2015–2024) Touran on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 199,323 real MOT tests.
The short answer
The Volkswagen Touran comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; the Ford C-Max is close on everything else.
- Euro NCAP safety: Ford C-Max 3 stars (2017), Volkswagen Touran 4 stars (2022). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- The Volkswagen Touran has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the Ford C-Max fails its MOT about 9% more often.
- Running costs are close: the petrol versions cost within £19 a year of each other to fuel at 7,500 miles a year.
| Figure | Ford C-MaxMk2 (2010–2019), 5-door MPV | Volkswagen TouranMk2 (2015–2024), 5-door MPV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door MPV | 5-door MPV |
| Seats | 5 | 7 (best) |
| BootSeats up / folded | 432 litres / 1,684 | – |
| Length | 4,379mm | 4,527mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,828mm | 1,829mm |
| Height | 1,610mm | 1,659mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 100–150 PS | 115–150 PS |
| 0–62mph | 9.5–12.6 sec | – |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2017) | ★★★★★ (2022) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid | Diesel, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 34.0–62.8 mpg | 42.2–65.7 mpg |
| CO2 | 119–189 g/km | 111–153 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) | £1,102 (61.4 mpg) (best) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,346 (petrol) | £1,102 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £35 to £410 | £35 to £445 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 101Average | 110Above average (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 33.1% | 32.4% |
| Failed at 3 years old | – | 12.1% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 15.5% (best) | 16.2% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 29.3% | 26.8% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Brake pads (3.3% of tests) | Condition (3.5% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 126,182 | 73,141 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | MPV / people carrier | MPV / people carrier |
| Owners' average miles a year | 7,300 | 9,300 |
| On sale | 2010–2019 | 2015–2024 |
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 Volkswagen Touran more reliable?
The Volkswagen Touran. Like for like on age and mileage, the Ford C-Max fails its MOT about 9% more often (reliability scores 110 and 101, where 100 is average). 32.4% of Volkswagen Tourans and 33.1% of Ford C-Maxes failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the Ford C-Max or the Volkswagen Touran?
The Volkswagen Touran is 148mm longer (4,527mm against 4,379mm).
›Which is cheaper to run, the Ford C-Max or the Volkswagen Touran?
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 Volkswagen Touran?
Euro NCAP gave the Ford C-Max 3 stars (2017) and the Volkswagen Touran 4 stars (2022). 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 Volkswagen Touran?
The Volkswagen Touran comes out ahead, with the better MOT record; 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.