Ford S-MAX Titanium 2.2 TDCi

Nov 20 2008 Malcolm Robertshaw

SITTING above the five-seat C-Max and just a little below the full-blown seven seat MPV Galaxy, Frod has the S-Max offering a much sportier, driver focused mode of transport.

The S-Max comes with five engine options, the 2.0-litre Duratec, 2.3 Duratec and 2.5 Duratec petrol, while diesel power comes in the 1.8-litre TDCI, a pair of 2.0-litre oil burners pulling 128bhp and 138bhp respectively and the range-topping 2.2-litre 173bhp driven here.

Generous trim levels are three-fold, LX, Zetec and Titanium, which includes most of the quality bells and whistles enjoyed by button pushers everywhere.

Extremely well appointed, the cabin comes featuring plenty of quality soft touch materials to doors and dash, plus, there is a decided air of quality to the impressive fit and finish.

The overall effect is also heightened by the presence of chrome-effect trim on dash and door handles while airiness is further emphasised by the large area of glass.

Despite being a couple of inches shorter than the Galaxy, the S-Max offers plenty of space in a cabin well capable of providing room for manoeuvre and reasonable levels of comfort to seven occupants and featuring the same Fold Flat System as found in the Ford Galaxy.

The Fold Flat System (FFS) does enable owners to create a very user-friendly load area without having to resort to removing and carting heavy seats off to the garage. Seats include a tilt, fold and slide facility and the S-Max's ample head and leg room enables five to sit in relative comfort and, in five-seater mode, a huge, well shaped, user-friendly boot is also the big plus.

Thanks to more than ample head and legroom, access to the third row of seats, which would suit a couple of children, is good and, while the rearmost seats fold onto rather than into the luggage bay floor, boot space with seven-up is surprisingly generous, room for a couple of cases being available.

Sitting around three inches lower on the tarmac than its Galaxy stablemate, S-Max provides a comfortable, car-like driving position from which, overall vision is good. The car is a refined performer and, for its size, is capable of delivering a quite surprising 43mpg over a combined driving route.

Definitely an MPV for those that enjoy driving, the Titanium-trimmed range topper driven here ploughs a pretty powerful furrow courtesy of the 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine paired with a slick-shifting manual gear change.

Enjoying the chassis's superb balance between ride comfort and body control, the power steering responds to its task with a huge amount of feeling and, with stacks of grip also to hand, S-Max proves a dynamic performer whether going through the corners or cruising the long haul.

Overall, Ford's S-Max cuts a handsome figure on the tarmac for an MPV. It provides some fine family accommodation and is definitely one to be seen out in.

FAST FACTS

Ford S-MAX Titanium 2.2 TDCi 5dr

Price : £24,445

Mechanical : 173bhp, 2,179cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 132mph

0-62mph : 9 secs

Combined mpg : 42.8

Insurance group : 12

CO2 emissions : 176g/km

BiK rating : 25%

Warranty : 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust