Key facts:
Model tested: Ford Grand C-MAX 2.0 TDCi 140 Titanium
Price: £21,995
Date tested: November 2010
Road tester: Martyn Collins

This is the brand new Ford Grand C-MAX. Previously only available as a five-seater, the range is now available in standard C-MAX five-seater (not driven here) and seven-seater Grand C-MAX body styles.

Seen as the spiritual successor to the five-seater C-MAX, the Grand C-MAX is arguably Ford's response to a need for a compact seven-seat MPV and rivals include the Citroen C4 Picasso, Renault Scenic and Vauxhall Zafira. On sale now, prices start at £18,745 for the 1.6-litre 125bhp petrol in Zetec trim.

Aimed at young families, the Grand C-MAX has 130mm of extra wheelbase and a taller roofline to give seven-seater capacity. So function over form comes first, which would probably best explain the awkward, Galaxy-inspired rear styling. A key feature of the Grand C-MAX's design is the twin sliding rear doors, which makes entry and exit to the rear much easier.

Inside, everything as far as the driver and front passenger seat are concerned is identical to the five-seat C-MAX. Move to the second row and the increased head and legroom are much more obvious. One clever touch is the folding centre seat which disappears under the adjacent one. This means baby seats or booster cushions can be left in place and you can still get to the third row of rear seats.

Despite the extra space, the two rear seats in the third row are probably only suitable for kids, so customers regularly carrying adult passengers would be probably be better off with a bigger MPV such as a Galaxy.

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Just Zetec and Titanium versions of the Grand C-MAX will be offered in the UK. Engines available at launch include a 150bhp, 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol, plus 115bhp 1.6 and 140bhp 2-litre TDCi diesels. Both models are well-equipped, but the Titanium is more luxurious with standard keyless go and two-zone climate control.

We drove both diesel versions at the UK launch and in our view the 115bhp 1.6 felt slow off the mark and underpowered on the hilly test route. The 140bhp 2.0-litre was much better, feeling much more capable and torquey.

Ford is known for producing drivers' cars and the Grand C-MAX is no different from the rest of the range. All models are entertaining to drive, with keen steering and sharp handling. The well judged ride is more impressive considering how well the Grand C-MAX handles. It's soft enough to be comfortable, yet there's not a hint the sogginess that affects most other MPVs.

The Grand C-MAX is no beauty and the third row of rear seats is really only for kids. What it loses in terms of looks and practicality it more than makes up in driver appeal. In our view it's way ahead of the pack in terms of ride and handling.