Ford B-MAX

The Ford B-MAX is a good-looking car I think, with an ingenious system for the doors. I think the inclusion of the B pillars in the doors is a great idea, and something I think more cars should have, for easier access
For those of you who may not know, the B-MAX has no B pillar,  and  it is instead incorporated into the drivers/passenger front doors and sliding rear doors.

"Easy-access" door system.

This is an idea that I'm surprised hasn't caught on, because (As I said before) it is a great idea, and it allows much easier access into the front and back, without the fear from drivers of their kids bashing the back doors when they're getting in and out. I was amazed at how easily the back doors slid, as they can be a bit awkward to open, and then how easy it was to close them again. No more awkward twisting around: Ford has had the insight to put handles on the integrated B-pillars. The front seatbelts have been subtly included into the backs of the front seats ( since there is no pillar to mount them on) with the elegance of a BMW cabrio. Another thing that surprised me was the sheer amount of space inside. My dad could put the front seat right back, and I would still have plenty room in the back. (I'm 6")

New car, Dated interior.

Although there were a lot of good things about the car, there was a couple of little niggles that I spotted. the first one was the positioning of the rear window switches. In a normal car, they're in the door armrests or by the inner door-releases. In the B-MAX they're situated on the door, but they're so far forward that a front seat passenger would have an  easier time reaching them. It also has large plastic wings (I can't really describe them better) by the rear seats , to stop people falling out, I think. They're in just the right place for when you want to sleep in the back seat, but they stick out fairly far,  which means that you have to get into the car and move backwards to sit in the seat. The final t=niggle is the radio. It looks so old fashioned, with buttons and a (non-touch) screen. I think this is something that Ford really needs to improve, as it makes their cars look dated, even the brand-new ones (I can't talk for some of the more upmarket cars, but I assume they're the same)

To summarise then, the B-MAX is a great car, and it has an ingenious door situation and tons of space inside, but is let down by a few small things, things that you'd probably get used to while using the car. Another shorter Post for you lot today, and I apologise for the lack of posts at the weekend, I was on the boat and on the beach.