Ford S-MAX 2.0 TDCi Titanium review
by David Finlay (10 September 2006)
I've found the concept of the S-MAX questionable since the day I first heard of it. Although Ford is marketing the car to a very distinct group of lifestyle-oriented buyers - the ones who might say, "Hey, guys, let's go surfing!" rather than, "We're short of vegetables so we'd better get down to the supermarket" - the S-MAX is effectively a coupé version of the Galaxy, with slightly better looks but significantly less room. Unless you're really concerned about appearances, why not just buy a Galaxy instead?
Mind you, the S-MAX really is quite a stylish machine considering how large it is. And my reservations about it faded noticeably during this test. I covered 1700 miles over the course of five days, which is usually enough to make me glad to see the back of any car. But in the case of the S-MAX I would have done the same again during the next five days without a whisper of complaint.
That's thanks in no small part to the two-litre TDCi turbo diesel engine. Maximum power is quoted at 138bhp, and you might consider that a feeble figure to a vehicle as large as this. In fact, the S-MAX TDCi is quite a mover, and its engine is flexible enough to allow useful acceleration from as little as 1500rpm in sixth gear.
It's economical, too. The range predictor in the trip computer is inclined to become optimistic, and may sometimes go so far as to predict that a single tankful is enough to carry you 800 miles. I think not - but it's certainly possible to manage 600 miles between fill-ups.
On top of all that, the engine noise is wonderfully suppressed. On a long motorway cruise (and I did several of those) you might easily forget exactly what kind of motor lies under the bonnet.
You might also, just occasionally, forget how much MPV DNA there is in the S-MAX design. You're reminded of it when there are crests and dips to be negotiated, since in these situations it isn't possible to disguise the car's bulk. Otherwise, the ride quality comes as a very pleasant surprise, as does the way the S-MAX can be threaded through a series of tough bends with unexpected precision.
As mentioned before, there's less space than the Galaxy provides, and although the S-MAX has seven seats you might struggle to fit two healthy adults in the back row. Ford is aware of this and markets the Galaxy as the true seven-seater, describing the S-MAX as having plenty of space for five passengers (which it certainly does - no argument about that) with the facility for carrying two more if required.
With all the seats in place there is inevitably very little luggage room, but if you fold down the two at the back you're left with 850 litres of space and a flat floor which extends to a metre in width. Access is very easy thanks to the huge (but light to operate) tailgate which extends down to shin level and means you don't have to haul any loads very far from the ground.
The tailgate also has an electric release, but only in the Titanium trim level of the test car. Titanium also includes a lot of other standard equipment, the most significant being the front and rear parking sensors (very useful in a car as long as this one) and the Quickclear facility for demisting the windscreen (which isn't actually as effective as a quick blast of air-con).
Was I right all along, and should you ignore the S-MAX in favour of the Galaxy? Probably not. In terms of practicality the larger car is undoubtedly the better bet, but the S-MAX is still a useful load-carrier with surprising handling, performance and comfort levels. Against my expectations it has turned out to be one of my favourite MPVs.
Add new comment