Even the 136 hp 2.0L would be laughably slow by North American standards, but probably okay by Euro standards. I would think that it would be gutless no matter what engine you chose. The closest thing we have to the C-Max over here is the Mazda 5, it has a 153 HP 2.3L , which many people consider inadequate. I wouldn't be caught dead in anything with less than 250 HP.