Multi-purpose vehicles, or MPVs, are usually bought by family men, not usually by desire, but more by requirement. Buyers of MPVs actually need the space, to ferry their wife and kids and whatever else they bring with them.
As a result, MPVs are generally biased towards comfort, and not so much towards driving enjoyment. After all, when you have your kids in tow, the last thing you want to do is to throw your ride into corners vigorously. Unless that kid is a petrol-head like me, of course.
When Ford introduced the S-Max in 2006 however, it changed the rules for MPVs. The S-Max proved that owning a people carrier need not come at the expense of driving fun, and fathers who were closet racers rejoiced.
The S-Max was well-received, garnering numerous accolades in the press, as well as picking up the European Car of the Year Award in 2007. Quite an achievement for an MPV.
The S-Max is now at its mid-life cycle, and Ford has decided to give it an update. The biggest change is the addition of Ford's all-new 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine, which it claims to be more powerful AND more efficient. That promises to be a tantalising proposition for an already sporty-driving car like the S-Max…
As a result, MPVs are generally biased towards comfort, and not so much towards driving enjoyment. After all, when you have your kids in tow, the last thing you want to do is to throw your ride into corners vigorously. Unless that kid is a petrol-head like me, of course.
When Ford introduced the S-Max in 2006 however, it changed the rules for MPVs. The S-Max proved that owning a people carrier need not come at the expense of driving fun, and fathers who were closet racers rejoiced.
The S-Max was well-received, garnering numerous accolades in the press, as well as picking up the European Car of the Year Award in 2007. Quite an achievement for an MPV.
The S-Max is now at its mid-life cycle, and Ford has decided to give it an update. The biggest change is the addition of Ford's all-new 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine, which it claims to be more powerful AND more efficient. That promises to be a tantalising proposition for an already sporty-driving car like the S-Max…
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Exterior
Externally, nothing much has changed to the S-Max. The car still has the same, sharp design as before, with its wedge-like shape giving it an aerodynamic appearance that cuts through the air like a rocket.
There are some minor enhancements to this EcoBoost version though, but it takes a very trained eye to spot them. There are now chrome strips around the lower grille section and around the window frames, for example. The lights are also slightly different, with the S-Max EcoBoost now featuring Bi-Xenon headlamps as standard.
Aside from those, the S-Max still features the same chiselled Ford Kinetic Design philosophy that turned more than a few heads on the roads. After all, why change a good thing?
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Interior
While the S-Max does come with seven seats, in truth, it really functions best as a five-seater. The third row of seats is only suitable for small kids, as legroom is almost non-existent. Having the third row up also means that boot space is compromised as well, like all seven-seater MPVs.
Drop the third row though, and the S-Max's qualities start to show. The second row features three individual seats, which can fold, recline and slide to provide supreme versatility.
There are also under-floor compartments beneath each seat, as well as below the boot floor, for various storage needs. Kids can use them to keep their toys, for example, or they can simply be used to hide away valuable stuff from prying eyes.
The S-Max is well-designed up front too. Everything feels intuitive and the controls all fall to touch nicely. When I collected the car, it took less than 15 minutes for me to get comfortable and set off. It felt very car-like, and aside from the slightly raised seating position and the expansive view out the windscreen, you wouldn't know it was an MPV. The air-liner style handbrake was an interesting touch too.
While the S-Max does come with seven seats, in truth, it really functions best as a five-seater. The third row of seats is only suitable for small kids, as legroom is almost non-existent. Having the third row up also means that boot space is compromised as well, like all seven-seater MPVs.
Drop the third row though, and the S-Max's qualities start to show. The second row features three individual seats, which can fold, recline and slide to provide supreme versatility.
There are also under-floor compartments beneath each seat, as well as below the boot floor, for various storage needs. Kids can use them to keep their toys, for example, or they can simply be used to hide away valuable stuff from prying eyes.
The S-Max is well-designed up front too. Everything feels intuitive and the controls all fall to touch nicely. When I collected the car, it took less than 15 minutes for me to get comfortable and set off. It felt very car-like, and aside from the slightly raised seating position and the expansive view out the windscreen, you wouldn't know it was an MPV. The air-liner style handbrake was an interesting touch too.
The S-Max is also quite feature-packed, with standard equipment on the 2.0 EcoBoost Titanium model including automatic wipers, automatic headlamps, steering wheel controls for the 9-speaker audio and cruise control system, electric memory seats, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity (the latter with Voice Control), and dual-zone electronic automatic air con with vents for the rear passengers.
Despite its driver-oriented pretentions, the S-Max also places much emphasis on safety. Features such as an Enhanced Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Control, a Hill Launch Assist system for moving off on gradients, seven airbags, and ISOFIX attachments for child seats for the second row bench are all found in the S-Max. The car also has a 5-star crash test safety rating from Euro NCAP, so regardless of how enthusiastically you drive this car, it will still be able to intervene should things go wrong. Not that I'm advocating reckless driving though.
Ford has tried its best to up the quality quotient in its cars, and the S-Max features soft-touch plastics and an interesting silver trim running across the dashboard. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be very consistent with quality control. The plastics around the overhead sunglasses holder appeared to be falling apart and not very well constructed. A small issue, but quite a shame for a car of this standard.
Despite its driver-oriented pretentions, the S-Max also places much emphasis on safety. Features such as an Enhanced Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Control, a Hill Launch Assist system for moving off on gradients, seven airbags, and ISOFIX attachments for child seats for the second row bench are all found in the S-Max. The car also has a 5-star crash test safety rating from Euro NCAP, so regardless of how enthusiastically you drive this car, it will still be able to intervene should things go wrong. Not that I'm advocating reckless driving though.
Ford has tried its best to up the quality quotient in its cars, and the S-Max features soft-touch plastics and an interesting silver trim running across the dashboard. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be very consistent with quality control. The plastics around the overhead sunglasses holder appeared to be falling apart and not very well constructed. A small issue, but quite a shame for a car of this standard.
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The Drive
Now we come to the S-Max's trump card, its drivability.
Immediately, you get the sense that this is no ordinary MPV. The S-Max feels nimble to drive, with a very sharp and precise steering giving it tactile handling that makes it a joy to pilot around bends. It corners very well, with little signs of body roll, which is remarkable for a people carrier.
Despite that, the S-Max also offers a reasonably smooth and quiet ride, evening out all but the toughest of bumps. Proof once again that Ford has managed to get the balance between driver appeal and passenger comfort just right.
And with its new 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine, the S-Max offers performance like no other MPV as well. With 203bhp and 300Nm of torque, the S-Max surges forward at a tap of your right foot, dispatching slower traffic with ease on the expressway.
This is helped by the new Poweshift 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is available only for the EcoBoost model. The best gearboxes are the ones you don't notice, and the S-Max's shifter does the job effortlessly and makes the best use of the engine's power. There is a Sport mode with manual override function, but the car feels its best when left in Drive.
The fact that the only criticism of the S-Max's driving character is that the brakes feel a bit soft and spongy, which I put it down to lack of use on our test car with less than 500km on the odometer, speaks volumes about the car's all round abilities. Even then, the brakes started to warm up as the day went along, so in truth, there really is very little to criticise the S-Max for when it comes to on-the-road capabilities.
Now we come to the S-Max's trump card, its drivability.
Immediately, you get the sense that this is no ordinary MPV. The S-Max feels nimble to drive, with a very sharp and precise steering giving it tactile handling that makes it a joy to pilot around bends. It corners very well, with little signs of body roll, which is remarkable for a people carrier.
Despite that, the S-Max also offers a reasonably smooth and quiet ride, evening out all but the toughest of bumps. Proof once again that Ford has managed to get the balance between driver appeal and passenger comfort just right.
And with its new 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine, the S-Max offers performance like no other MPV as well. With 203bhp and 300Nm of torque, the S-Max surges forward at a tap of your right foot, dispatching slower traffic with ease on the expressway.
This is helped by the new Poweshift 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is available only for the EcoBoost model. The best gearboxes are the ones you don't notice, and the S-Max's shifter does the job effortlessly and makes the best use of the engine's power. There is a Sport mode with manual override function, but the car feels its best when left in Drive.
The fact that the only criticism of the S-Max's driving character is that the brakes feel a bit soft and spongy, which I put it down to lack of use on our test car with less than 500km on the odometer, speaks volumes about the car's all round abilities. Even then, the brakes started to warm up as the day went along, so in truth, there really is very little to criticise the S-Max for when it comes to on-the-road capabilities.
Conclusion
The last MPV I drove was the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, which broke the mould for people carrier design, with its chic and stylish looks. It seems ironic, then, that the next MPV that fell into my hands is a game-changer in terms of driving dynamics.
There are plenty of cars that do everything decently nowadays, with few faults; such is the extent of vehicle engineering these days. However, it takes something really special to bring a smile to our faces.
The Ford S-Max is one of those cars. From a driver's perspective, it is a thoroughly involving drive, almost to the point of being addictive. Its new EcoBoost engine gives it enough poke to pilot the sharp-ended shuttle through traffic and on the highway, and for the most part, it is comfortable and refined enough to satisfy the family and kids.
There's no such thing as the perfect car, but the Ford S-Max EcoBoost comes mighty damn close.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
The last MPV I drove was the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, which broke the mould for people carrier design, with its chic and stylish looks. It seems ironic, then, that the next MPV that fell into my hands is a game-changer in terms of driving dynamics.
There are plenty of cars that do everything decently nowadays, with few faults; such is the extent of vehicle engineering these days. However, it takes something really special to bring a smile to our faces.
The Ford S-Max is one of those cars. From a driver's perspective, it is a thoroughly involving drive, almost to the point of being addictive. Its new EcoBoost engine gives it enough poke to pilot the sharp-ended shuttle through traffic and on the highway, and for the most part, it is comfortable and refined enough to satisfy the family and kids.
There's no such thing as the perfect car, but the Ford S-Max EcoBoost comes mighty damn close.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
