Ford pioneered the fun-to-drive MPV with the first S-MAX a decade ago, and the latest model is an even more rounded product. The S-MAX drives like a seriously well-sorted family saloon, yet offers seven-seat practicality. It’s more comfortable than the previous model and packed with enough technology to shame even some luxury saloons. There’s a great range of engines, too, ranging from economy-focused low power diesels, to the flagship turbo petrol.
It’s not perfect, however. The focus on a sporty drive means some of the S-MAX’s rivals offer more space inside, with sliding doors and more room for adults in all seven seats. Ford’s larger Galaxy is a better choice if you want a similar car with more room.
The high kit levels mean the S-MAX can look rather expensive against some of its rivals, too, while the Mondeo-based dashboard won’t win many points for style or ease of use.
• Best MPVs and people carriers
Still, the S-MAX is an excellent MPV and should definitely be on your shortlist if you’re looking for a seven-seater, with driving manners to shame everything this side of a BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer.
Our Choice
S-MAX 2.0 TDCi 180 Titanium
The Ford S-MAX first went on sale in 2006, and it was instantly a hit among road testers – at last, a seven-seat MPV that was fun to drive! As one of the best handling MPVs on the market the S-MAX could even put some smaller family saloons to shame, and its practical, seven-seat body appealed to petrolheads as well as family buyers.
Now in its second generation, the Ford S-Max rubs shoulders with the likes of the Renault Grand Scenic, Peugeot 5008 and SEAT Alhambra, but its main competition is undoubtedly the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. The S-MAX’s main rival is slightly cheaper and a tad more spacious than Ford’s offering.
If you’re interested in an S-MAX it’s also worth remembering that it has a bigger brother – literally, with more ample dimensions – in the shape of the Ford Galaxy. The Galaxy is a more traditional MPV with with extra space inside and is worth bearing in mind for those who need lots of room as their top priority. It’s still pretty good to drive, too.
Ford S-MAX customers have a choice of four trim levels: Zetec, Titanium, Titanium Sport and the upmarket Vignale spec. The latter of these was introduced midway through 2016, and while it kits out the S-MAX with all the bells and whistles you could ask for, it’s an expensive option which doesn’t compare favourably to similarly priced luxury MPVs.
Ford’s latest SYNC 3 infotainment system is now standard across the S-MAX range, while 17-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, keyless start and a DAB radio are all to be found on the basic Zetec as well. Titanium-specced cars factor in USB connectivity and a satnav, while Titanium Sport models add bigger wheels, a sporty bodykit, sports suspension and heated front seats into the equation.
A £2000 investment in the Titanium X pack introduces LED headlights and further upgrades the seats with a leather finish and electronic functionality. Vignale cars get a reversing camera, 18-inch wheels and laminated side windows for a refined appearance, and a new grille and posh chrome details will help the most luxurious S-MAX stand out on the road.
This being a family vehicle, Ford has worked hard on the safety performance of the new S-MAX. Even the base model comes stuffed with airbags and as the 2015 edition registered the full five stars in its Euro NCAP crash test, there’s no reason to suspect this latest model won’t do just as well. Traction and stability control also feature, and Ford has brought in an adjustable speed limiter which automatically changes the car’s speed by reading road signs.
S-MAX customers get a decent choice of engines: four diesels and two petrols, with options for manual and automatic gearboxes and two or four-wheel drive. However, the AWD models cost more to buy and run, so careful consideration is needed here. Ford anticipates that their mid-range 148bhp 2.0-litre TDCi diesel will be the most popular, although for and extra £750 customers will be able to upgrade to the torquier 178bhp version. The top-spec 237bhp petrol is one to avoid as it doesn’t feel significantly quicker, and the 207bhp diesel costs more to run.
Engines, performance and drive
Sharp to drive, comfortable on the motorway, the S-MAX is best in class
From behind the wheel, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the S-MAX for something much smaller – such as a Ford Fiesta or Focus. The S-MAX feels nimble, belying its bulk in a way few MPVs can, with the lower centre of gravity meaning it doesn’t roll as much as some of its rivals through the corners. The AWD version adds extra grip, but it won’t make enough difference on UK roads for most buyers. It’s more fun to drive than many seven-seat SUVs too.
However, all this handling prowess doesn’t mean it’s uncomfortable on motorway journeys. The compliant suspension does a great job of keeping the car in check, yet soaks up the lumps and bumps on pitted country roads. It’s remarkably composed, and will transport big families long distances from A to B without breaking a sweat.
S-MAX Vignale models manage to retain the standard car’s fun-to-drive character, but turn refinement up a notch, with laminated side windows and better sound insulation. The ride is a little firm, however, thanks to the bigger wheels as standard.
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Engines
Ford offers buyers a choice of two petrol and four diesel engines, with the mid-range 148bhp 2.0-litre TDCi expected to be the big seller. It offers a decent blend of performance (0-62mph in 10.8 seconds) versus running costs, and feels suitably nippy on the move. There’s a smaller 118bhp version (0-62mph in 13.4 seconds), but if you regularly carry seven people, it’s likely to feel very lethargic.
The petrol models are quieter, but in exchange for some added refinement you’ll have to fork out at the pumps. We’ve not tried the 158bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged EcoBoost, but the range-topping 237bhp 2.0-litre doesn’t feel as fast as you’d expect. Ford says it’ll do 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds, but the inferior torque figures mean the diesel engines feel more eager. We’d avoid it and go for one of the faster diesels instead. That’s exactly what Ford expects customers to do as well, with the manufacturer predicting almost 98 per cent of buyers to opt for the diesel models.
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A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard but Ford does offer a Powershift automatic gearbox as an option. It’s smooth – although changes don’t feel as quick as those in the equivalent DSG gearbox you’ll find in the SEAT Alhambra. We’d stick with the six-speed manual unless you desperately need a self-shifter.
MPG, CO2 and running costs
Not as efficient as rivals, petrol engines should be avoided if fuel economy is priority
The Ford S-MAX has never been the most economical MPV, and that hasn’t changed with this latest iteration. While the diesels won’t break the bank – rivals like the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso cost significantly less to fuel and tax, so if running costs are of the utmost importance, you might want to look elsewhere.
The most frugal diesel is the 118bhp 2.0-litre TDCi. It’ll do 56.5mpg and emit 129g/km of CO2, putting it in tax band D. Incidentally, those are identical figures to the more expensive 148bhp and 178bhp versions, but less than the more powerful 207bhp unit (52.3mpg and 139g/km). Adding four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox does no favours for the fuel consumption either – with the 178bhp 4×4 auto getting 48.7mpg on the combined cycle.
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Those figures are acceptable but when you consider the most efficient version of the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso is capable of returning over 74mpg, the S-MAX starts to look a little bit weak. We’d stay clear of the petrol models, too. There’s no surprise the 237bhp 2.0-litre petrol model – which uses the same engine from the sporty Focus ST – returns a very poor 37mpg combined – although we found that was more like 25mpg in the real-world. Even the 158bhp 1.5-litre EcoBoost is only marginally better at 43.5mpg.
As for other running costs, the S-MAX is a large car and existing owners have reported heavy tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels. Service intervals are 12,500 miles for every model, while the 650-strong dealer network means there’ll be a Ford workshop near you to fix any problems. Ford also offers an annual fixed-price servicing deal for £125 or £195 depending on the level of cover required.
Insurance groups
As you’d expect there is also a 60,000-mile or three year warranty (which ever comes first) on the S-MAX. Insurance groups have also been kept reasonably low, starting from 16 and rising to 27 for the more powerful Vignale versions.
Interior, design and technology
By far the most handsome MPV in its class, with sleek lines and classy interior
It’s clear that Ford thinks it’s struck gold with its latest nose design, as the big grille and slender headlights of the new S-MAX are largely identical to the front end of the Mondeo, facelifted Focus and higher-spec versions of the Fiesta.
It certainly gives the S-MAX a smart, upmarket look, with thin chrome bars framed by even more chrome trim, while the headlights add a dash of style, too. The car in our pictures featured the £1,000 adaptive LED option, bringing smart daytime running lights that turn into strobing indicators when you signal.
In pictures, the new S-MAX appears similar to its predecessor, but in the flesh, it definitely has a sportier look. Overall, it’s longer and wider than before, yet it hides its bulk well. There are sharp creases down the flanks, and the curved roof line adds a sporty touch not seen on any other MPV. The old car’s big wheelarch blisters are ditched in favour of more subtle flared arches, while the rakish rear end has a smarter, sportier look than its predecessor.
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Quality is up, too, with a much plusher feel and swathes of upmarket materials and solid-feeling controls. Yes, the usual scratchy plastics are evident if you peer into the footwells, but it’s a big improvement over the old model.
Standard kit includes 17-inch alloys, while mid-spec Titanium cars add privacy glass, LED daytime running lights and more body coloured trim. As the name suggests, Titanium Sport models are the most athletic-looking, with 18-inch wheels, a full body kit and subtle rear spoiler.
Opt for one of the posher S-MAX Vignale models and you’ll benefit from heated leather seats, a new SYNC 3 infotainment system and laminated side glass for improved refinement. There’s lashings of chrome on the outside, too, but it’s not suddenly transformed into a luxury car – the standard model is just as good looking.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
All models launched with Ford’s SYNC 2 infotainment system, which is feature-packed but a bit clunky to operate, with fiddly buttons and an unresponsive screen. Ford upped its game from summer 2016 with the SYNC 3 system, which is much clearer, responds better to the touch and comes with even more of the latest features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Practicality, comfort and boot space
Versatile and spacious, the S-MAX is well equipped for the needs of growing families
The all-new S-MAX may not have the rear sliding doors of the SEAT Alhambra, or the rear seat practicality of its bigger brother, the Ford Galaxy, but it’s still an impressively well rounded family car – and a welcome alternative to the recent raft of seven-seat SUVs.
There’s just as much room inside as there was before, meaning three individual seats in the middle row, and a pair of smaller ones in the back. There are loads of cubbies and storage bins dotted around the cabin, and those in the rearmost seats even get a pair of cupholders to make longer journeys less painful for small kids. Bootspace is decent although not as spacious as the Citroen, though with all seven seats in place you’ll be restricted to a few squashy bags rather than a plethora of hard-backed suitcases.
Boot
Just like the previous model, the new Ford S-MAX is a very practical car. As before, you get 285 litres of bootspace with all seven seats in place, and while that might not sound like much – it’s more than your average supermini. It’s more generous than most of its rivals, too, and should be enough for a few small bags.
However, fold the rearmost seats flat and this expands to 965 litres, increasing to a van-like 2,020 litres with the middle row folded. That final figure means the sporty S-MAX is 169 litres bigger than the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, despite the slightly sloped roofline.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
The rearmost seats are only really suitable for children, but the Easy-Entry system fitted to the middle row allows for decent access with the bench tilting and sliding forwards in one sleek movement. All the seats fold flat individually, while buyers can spec buttons in the boot to lower them electronically – it’s a neat trick. Ford claims there are a whopping 32 seating and loading combinations in the S-MAX so a trip to Ikea with car full of people shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
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If you have smaller children you’ll be pleased to hear that the three seats in the middle row also come with individual ISOFIX points which can also be used at the same time. There perhaps isn’t as much space in the S-MAX as you get in the Citroen but you’re unlikely to get any complaints from passengers back there with decent head and legroom.
The interior is packed with useful cubbies, including places to stash odds and ends and all the associated family bits and bobs. The huge airline-style handbrake has been removed in favour of a simple electronic switch, freeing up space on the new minimalist dashboard. As you’d expect, the combination of a high seating position and slim A-pillars means you get a commanding view of the road, while the seats and steering wheel benefit from a wide range of adjustment, meaning it’s easy to get comfortable.
Towing
The Ford S-MAX range has two maximum braked towing capacities based on engine and transmission choice. The lower of the two is set at 1,800kg, which is for S-MAX models with the 1.5-litre EcoBoost SCTi and 2.0-litre SCTi engine units. However, if you are after the maximum that any new S-MAX can tow (2,000kg), you have a good range of Duratorq diesel engines to choose from.
Diesel models are the ones to go for, but stay clear of those with high miles although they will have an attractive price tag
As the S-MAX has only just gone on sale, if you’re looking to buy a used model you’ll have to settle for the previous generation model for the time being. In terms of styling, the old model doesn’t look radically different form its modern day alternative with sporty profile and curved bodywork.
Models on sale will include 2.0, 2.3 and 2.5-litre turbo petrol versions as well as 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2-litre diesel models. Following its arrival in 2006, a facelifted model was introduced in 2008 with an updated 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engine along with a new dual-clutch transmission called Powershift.
The main things to look out for on the earlier models is the electronics, so it’s may be worth stretching to one of the later models if your budget allows. The engine to go for is the 2.0-litre diesel which offers the best in terms performance and running costs at 49mpg.
The cheapest models come in at under £4,000 for the diesels but these examples will have incredibly high mileage. Models which have covered 50,000 miles can ask around £7,000, which the facelifted versions can be priced from £8,000. The S-MAX has also has seven recalls during its time, with issues surrounding braking faults as well as problems surrounding the fixing of the glass roof. The most recent recall was in 2013 for a fuel leak problem.
Cosmetically, you’ll have to put up with a few bumps and bruises on a used S-MAX. Given its intended audience interior scuffs from carrying a car full of children and all of their belongings. Thankfully most of the damage will be superficial so is unlikely to have any lasting issue. A lot of the higher mileage models may also have spent most of their life as a taxi, so its definitely worth checking out the vehicles history as these models would have had a particularly hard life and are to be avoided.