Innovation on the outside and under the skin marks out Ford‘s new B-max as something interesting.

Clever sliding doors and the removal of the central B-pillar mean unprecedented levels of easy access to the cabin area (especially handy for anyone strapping children into the rear seats), while under the bonnet, Ford’s latest Ecoboost technology brings a 1.0-litre engine offering 120hp yet only 114g/km of CO2.

The interior innovation isn’t limited to this excellent access to the rear seats, thanks to what are actually quite heavy doors, as the rear seats fold flat, with the cushions lowering slightly when you drop the seat backs. The front passenger seat also drops flat to create a long load area when required.

Despite its upright profile, the B-max is, as Fords tend to be, good to drive, with well-weighted steering, good body control to prevent too much roll, and a pleasant gear shift. Interior quality is also good, as is visibility.

The 1.0-litre turbocharged Ecoboost engine is, Ford claims, 15% more efficient than the next best petrol in its class, and it outpoints Vauxhall‘s Meriva by 25g/km. The little engine does, though, have a slightly unusual soundtrack to it that takes some getting used to, almost like a highly strung sewing machine. But performance is what you’d expect from a 120hp engine, rather than what you’d expect from a 1.0-litre engine, and illustrates the progress being made with petrol power.

The only word of warning about the Ecoboost comes from within the B-max’s own family. The 95hp 1.6 TDCi diesel is a few hundred pounds more expensive but thanks to a combination of better residuals and better efficiency – it’s 10g/km better than the B-max – the diesel actually comes out as slightly cheaper to run. But whichever choice, the new B-max is practical, clever and good to drive, and genuinely offers something new to the supermini-MPV segment.

Ford B-max 1.0 Ecoboost 120 Titanium
P11D price £18,140
Model price range £12,820-£18,840
Residual value 29.1%
Depreciation £12,865
Fuel £6471
Service, maintenance
and repair
£1571
Vehicle Excise Duty £60
National Insurance £1051
Cost per mile 44.6p
Fuel consumption 57.7mpg
CO2 (tax) 114g/km (13%)
BIK 20/40%
per month
£39/£79
Service interval 12,500 miles
Insurance (1-50) group 12
Warranty 3yrs/60,000 mls
Boot space min/max 318/1386 litres
Engine size/power 999cc/120hp
Top speed/0-62mph 117mph/11.2secs
On sale November 2012
Score 8/10
Verdict Clever car that
combines quality, practicality
and driver pleasure