Review
/5
- Pros:
- Practical seat arrangement
- Neat cabin design
- Sporty looks, good to drive
- Cons:
- Rearmost seats are small
- Limited boot space with chairs in place
- High running costs
reviewed by Carbuyer
"The S-MAX is extremely practical, and as well equipped as an executive car – but the key to its appeal is its sporty drive and youthful image."
At a glance
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There are plenty of boxy, dull to drive people carriers that claim to rival Ford's seven-seat S-MAX for practicality... But none are as good to look at, or feel as special from the driver's seat. Despite the generous dimensions, the S-MAX feels compact and nimble from behind the wheel. And although the two rearmost seats are for children only, they fold flat easily and there's a big boot. With all of the rear chairs folded flat, there's a huge 2,000 litres of cargo space. All models get air-conditioning and are generally well equipped. They should be, as the S-MAX is pricier than most rivals.
Drive
The S-MAX is sporty to drive
The S-MAX is a brilliant people carrier, but as well as offering unrivalled practicality, it also delivers a sporty drive. It boasts a comfortable, pothole-smothering ride, yet you don’t feel like you’re driving a tall, boxy people carrier. At the same time, the high driving position and big, airy interior mean visibility is good, and the driver gets a great view of the road ahead. The 2.0 TDCi diesel engine in any of its 113bhp, 138bhp or 161bhp guises has plenty of pulling power and will return more than 40mpg day-to-day. The top-spec 200bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol is a fast and efficient replacement for the thirsty old 2.5-litre model. Ford has recently introduced its smooth and quick-shifting Powershift automatic gearbox, too.
Comfort
The cabin strikes a good balance between practicality, functionality and smart design
The cabin is neatly arranged, with the gearlever placed high on the dashboard. There's lots of steering wheel and seat adjustment, so getting comfortable is easy. Overall, the cabin strikes a good balance between practicality, functionality and smart design. Recently updated models get better cabin plastics and materials. Although it's the sportiest people carrier around, it remains comfortable and soft-riding on all kinds of surfaces. The S-MAX is a car that will satisfy driver and passengers alike.
Reliability
Owners report high running costs
Since its 2006 launch, the S-MAX has been recalled five times for issues including a heated windscreen problem and faulty brakes. While most owners who responded to the 2010 Driver Power survey liked its driveability and styling, many report high running costs, and a tendancy for the big, heavy car to get through tyres very quickly.
Practicality
Ford has worked as hard on the practicality as it has the styling
Despite having slightly sleeker styling than its Galaxy sister car, there's no lack of headroom front or back in the S-MAX. Ford has worked as hard on the practicality side of things as it has the styling, so there are impressive touches throughout the cabin. The sixth and seventh seats fold flat easily and sit flush in the floor to create a big boot. A simple pull on a tag folds them back out. The middle row seats move and fold, too, while cabin storage is plentiful.
Value for money
The S-MAX is expensive when compared to rivals
Ford has introduced a raft of price cuts across its model ranges, but the S-MAX is still expensive when compared to rivals from Citroen and Vauxhall. However, the diesel engines are cheap to run, although high servicing bills are a gripe among owners.
Running costs
The three 2.0 TDCi engines are best value
The 200bhp 2.0 EcoBoost petrol engine is quick but will use lots of fuel. The entry-level 143bhp petrol unit is thirsty, too. Therefore, the diesels are the most sensible choice. The three 2.0 TDCi engines have exactly the same economy and emissions figures regardless of power output - 49.5mpg and 152g/km. That means cheap Road Tax and better resale values.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
