Design
The 2012 Ford Focus C-MAX employs the company's "kinetic" design language, which Ford describes as using dynamic, bold, athletic lines and forms. Even though it's what Ford calls a "people carrier," the company believes the C-MAX demonstrates that compact, 7-seat vehicles can be stylish and desirable while still delivering outstanding space and functionality.

Based on the next-generation Ford Focus platform, the C-MAX is smaller than a conventional minivan. In concept and general execution, it closely resembles the current Mazda 5, a nimble, fuel-efficient, 6-passenger mini-minivan. Like the Mazda, the Ford Focus C-MAX gets sliding doors on each side, which the company says provide extra convenience for people with kids and make it easier to access the cabin in close-quartered parking. (Readers with kids, you know what we're talking about.) To help mask the presence of sliding doors, and presumably to make it easier for people to call it a multi-activity vehicle instead of a minivan, the tracks are concealed somewhat by the design of the C-MAX's rear flanks.

Inside, Ford says the Focus C-MAX features a tall, command driving position facing a dashboard that drops down between the front seats to a high-mounted shifter and dramatically swept center console. Ford emphasizes that designers made sure to include numerous storage nooks and crannies in this vehicle.

The Focus C-MAX features a 2/3/2 seating arrangement. Front seat riders have bucket seats, the second row has a 40/20/40 split-bench seat design, and the third row is a 50/50 split bench for two occupants. Each seat in the second and third rows can fold to create a flat load floor, and the center seat in the second row can quickly and easily fold down under one of the outboard seats to create a walk-through space to the third row. Ford says all the folding mechanisms are designed to be operated using one hand.

There is an optional Comfort system planned for the Focus C-MAX. This feature will allow the two second-row outboard seats to slide diagonally back and in toward the center of the vehicle, with the third-row seat folded down, creating a very comfortable 2+2 seating arrangement with lots of rear-seat leg room and plenty of cargo space in back. To access that cargo space, Ford is planning to offer an available power liftgate.