Public Servant Lifestyle

Lifestyle gets behind the wheel and discovers a new breed of Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) in the new Ford S-MAX Titanium five-door.

"Having taken delivery of the new S-MAX Titanium I immediately put it to the test that very same evening. Having previously arranged to have a meal out with friends I opted to be the allocated driver for the evening. With seven adults to transport this was the ideal situation to thoroughly find out what the S-MAX was capable of!

"From the front the S-MAX looks like your traditional MPV. However, glance at it from the side and the rear and there’s something much more alluring about the car’s styling and profile. It’s lower roofed than the Galaxy and more compact than the generous interior space would suggest. The interior - largely shared with the new Galaxy - is nicely designed. The S-MAX sees the introduction of the ‘aircraft thrust’ handbrake, activated by being pulled upwards."

Aircraft Thrust

"The steering wheel is a sporty number – and comes fully loaded with very neat fingertip controls. Ford may have over done the plastic button casings though. The seats are nicely bolstered, too, with a very wide range of adjustment, although I still had trouble getting comfortable. Rear legroom is very generous, which is more than can be said for the third-row ‘jump seats’ which - as billed - are only useful for children on the school run.

"With the five rear seats folded flat into the floor, the load bay is an impressive two metres long. The lack of external badges meant I had to lift the bonnet to discover that this test car was actually the range-topping 2.5 Titanium, which uses a 217bhp five-cylinder turbocharged engine driving a six-speed manual gearbox.

"The steering is nicely weighted and accurate, and the six-speed gearbox has a satisfyingly precise action. Ford has managed to really get the controls of the S-Max into harmony: the weighting of the pedals, steering, and gearshift are very well matched.

"In general the only thing that kept reminding I was in an MPV was the much higher driving position than a saloon. Otherwise it came very close to feeling more like a powerful estate car. Could I really use the S-Max on a day-to-day basis, instead of a more conventional model? I think so - and it comes as no surprise to discover that with UK sales have already topped 4,000 since its launch. This MPV is versatile, roomy and handles well. Recommended."

Features on the S MAX include:

220PS Duratec 2.5-litre turbo unit

Ford's unique FoldFlatSystem - designed to keep all seats on board as well as providing extra luggage space

Twenty six interior stowage compartments

Ford's Intelligent Protection System - designed to provide the very latest in driver assistance and occupant protection technologies, including a new driver's knee airbag

Optional sliding load floor available for five-seat version

The Ford S-MAX was voted 'Best Big Car' by Top Gear magazine and was named 'Car of the Year 2007' and 'Best MPV' at the Scottish Car of the Year awards.

Striking Style

Whilst impressed by the striking styling, the Top Gear judges also emphasised the performance of the engines and sporty drive of the S-MAX as deciding factors in the award, "The S-MAX appearance isn't just a case of smoke and mirrors, there's substance below that sleekly slanted bonnet," they commented, continuing: "Witness the arrival of the S-MAX, an MPV via the stealth route: a futuristic wedge of sports-flavoured family car that, in short provides a welcome refuge for all those who risk feeling emasculated by MPV ownership. The S-MAX is the fresher, edgier, more complex proposition; a winner, sitting in a class all of its own."

For the Ford S-MAX prices start at £21,995 for the sporty 2.5-litre petrol Titanium reviewed here - although a petrol 2.0-litre LX model is also available which starts at £16,995. For more information visit the Ford website.

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