Small and compact but it makes a big impact
It has been an interesting year watching the competition between the various manufacturers. And although one is often astounded by the quick responses resulting in a new product being presented, I often wonder when we will reach that moment where there is the realisation that we have reached the point where enough is now really enough.
Or has our obsession and desire with stuff killed our ability to be grateful for the practical – the wabi-sabi of travel?
I just drove Ford’s new B-Max and although it is considered a small car, there is something big about it.
It’s built on the Fiesta platform, kitted with Ford’s amazing award-winning 1-litre EcoBoost engine, offers sliding doors on both sides, a not too shabby luggage space and still looks like a hatch.
It is a Ford
The front end is of course the personification of the Ford brand. It features a large grill with narrow headlight clusters and strong design lines across the bonnet. And although the front overhang looks a little awkward – you cannot see the nose sitting in the driver’s seat – I do find it attractive. The saloon-car-like roof line comes to an abrupt end at the tailgate where it meets the high shoulder line.
The best part of the tailgate design, is the top half. From the light clusters down, it offers no uniqueness to set it apart from a mixed grill of other designs.
Interior
The interior seems larger than that of the Fiesta. Legroom in the rear is most certainly more accommodating. The traditional central pillar structure has been integrated into the front and rear sliding doors and this has allowed for better space utilisation, not to mention easier entrance and exit and, easier optimisation of the luggage space when one needs to fold down the second-row seats.
The latter is achieved with an easy one-hand-one-motion mechanism rendering completely flat surfaces. “There are seven possible configurations,” says Ford. I did not try all of them though, but I accept that it is possible.
Despite the lack of the traditional B-pillar, the safety integrity of the B-Max has not been compromised because the use of ultra-high strength steel in the key-loading bearing areas work together to absorb the energy in side-impact accidents.
The interior fit and finish is of high quality but as it’s typically Ford, the driver-focused cockpit is a tad busy with all the light-coloured inserts on the dash and the steering wheel. Be that as it may, once seated one is immediately aware of the solidity and confidence of the little car.
This is confirmed the moment you drive off – it feels planted, stable and bigger than what it is. The B-Max offers many mod cons: Ford Sync voice control, device integration, power-start button, rear-view camera, electric power steering, gear-shift indicator, Eco mode driver information and more.
In terms of safety you get, among others, seven airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, emergency-brake assist and hill-start assist.
Does it vroom-vroom?
The model range consists of three derivatives: Ambient, Trend and Titanium with the Ambient being kitted with the 1-litre EcoBoost engine delivering 74kW. In the Trend and Titanium models the same engine delivers 92kW and 170Nm and although not a performance car, the power delivery is exciting, immediate and precise.
The B-Max offers an enjoyable driving experience with solid road manners. It is confident and stable through corners – it’s quiet – the suspension performs well on bumpy roads and I liked the weight of the steering.
Conclusion
The B-Max is a small car with practical innovations that makes it bigger than what it is. For moms with small children, those sliding doors and many handy storage spaces will be a blessing. For small families and in particular empty nesters, the power and space will be more than adequate for holidays.
The modern SUV crowd may not appreciate its normal car-like ground clearance, but then – go and buy an Eco Sport or Kuga. “But we want the sliding doors,” some would say! You can’t win them all, can you?
Methinks that the B-Max may just surprise all.
