Announced this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford says it will jump into the mini-minivan market with its European Focus Grand C-Max when it introduces the next generation of the van in late 2011. As the name implies, the Grand C-Max is based on the overseas Focus, though this taller people mover has sliding rear doors and seating for seven. A smaller five-passenger C-max is not planned for U.S. sale.
 
The Grand C-Max will join an underrated sub-class of mini-minivans here in the United States. There are only two such vehicles on the market today, and neither setting the sales charts on fire: the Mazda5 and the Kia Rondo. However, both are efficient, smart packages that have performed well in our tests and make appealing alternatives to more traditional car types.
 
The C-Max will have a new four-cylinder Ecoboost engine, with turbocharging and direct injection. Ford estimates the Grand C-Max will have about 180 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque. At least in Europe, the vehicle will offer start-stop technology that turns off the engine when the car is stopped and restarts it when needed, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Electronic aids such as blind-spot detection and Ford’s semi-automatic parking system will be available.
 
The C-Max will give Ford dealerships an alternative to a more traditional crossover vehicles and SUVs—an important proactive move in a tough economy and with tightening fuel economy regulations. Chevrolet will offer a similar concept when their small Cruze-based people mover, the Orlando, goes on sale in 2011, as well.
 
Check out our Kia Rondo and Mazda5 road tests, available to online subscribers. Read our minivan buying advice, highlighting the best-in-class minivans.  For more on the C-Max and other upcoming vehicles, see our New Car Preview section.
 
—Eric Evarts