FORD happily admits there is something missing in its new family friendly B-MAX ... the intrusive central door pillar has gone.

And that missing feature will prove to be a bonus for families struggling to load elderly, young or associated paraphernalia inside. 

A combination of conventionally opening front doors and rear sliders which rely on each other for side protection in the event of a crash, reveal a huge opening when they're opened. The gap actually made some first-time users stop and stare before they smiled and slipped effortlessly inside.

The happiness continued because the interior of the B-MAX is roomy for a family and folding down the back seats is likely to be a regular event if you carry a lot. It will take surprisingly long loads.

For Ford the B-MAX range is comparatively small at nine models priced between £13,000 and £19,000 coming in three trim levels and choice of 1.0, 1.4 or 1.6 petrol engines and 1.5 or 1.6 diesels, fitted with five-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The new three-cylinder EcoBoost engine is expected to be in strong demand because of its economy potential and it comes in two power outputs, 100 and 120ps, and we tested the more powerful on this occasion.

It is surprisingly good for a sub-one litre engine, starting easily, revving freely and pulling well as the power develops underfoot.

You may worry about the adequacy of the engine, but it does very well with the driver alone, almost as capably with a companion and even with children in the rear it really moves very well over rolling roads.

There is some noise from the engine at high speed and road rumbles are ever present, but other mechanical and wind noises are very low indeed.

The powertrain is a well thought out and developed bit of kit. The ratios seem ideal for the engine and it topped 50mpg without any trouble or indication it was struggling in any way. That was slightly better economy than attained on the less powerful derivative of the same engine, possibly proving it did not have to work so hard.

I liked the power steering and the reassuring brakes underfoot, its major and minor controls and instruments and it also rode well and seemed to take most bumps in its stride.

Handling is fairly agile but you are aware this is an MPV rather than a conventional hatchback when it leans around a corner. It does, however, stay planted on the road and has no real vices.

Boot and oddments space is useful and you can specify a big range of purpose-designed options to MAXimize its potential.

Visibility is reasonably good with a low waistline, big wipers and strong lights and you only have to be careful when reversing with its high tail potentially hiding a post unless you pay £200 for rear sensors.

The new generation of compact MPVs is growing all the time but few are really as practical as the Ford B-MAX, and fewer still as are driver friendly and economical.