“THAT’S the rubbish taken to the dump and the kids dropped at the youth club,” I shouted up the stairs to my wife.
She appeared on the landing with a look of surprise and replied: “What, you’ve done both runs already? That was quick. Did all the youngsters fit in the car OK?”
“Yes, no bother at all. And the seats go up and down in that Ford S-MAX really easily,” I replied. “It took no time at all to fold them for the rubbish and set them back up – even the pair in the back seats said they were fine for room.”
So it was that, in two short journeys – one with a mound of junk and the other with a gang of teenagers, I had seen for myself how versatile the seven-seat people carrier was.
The blue oval badge model I had on test was in sporty ST-Line spec with a 190PS 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
This car, costing from £37,510, proved well up to any job asked of it – even displaying a decent bit of urgency when I put the transmission into sport mode.
Despite its size, this S-MAX will sprint to 62mph in 10.5 seconds and go on to a healthy top speed of 128mph, which means it has plenty of power on tap for everyday use. And yet the official average fuel economy is a respectable 43.5mpg, with CO2 levels rated at 134g/km.
The powertrain mostly makes for relaxed and easy driving, while the sports suspension does a great job of ironing out the bumps and braking is smooth and undramatic. There’s also a commanding view of the world around you as the people carrier’s height is akin to most family SUVs.
Mind you, most people on board will probably be too busy enjoying the delights of the well-equipped, sporty cabin to pay much attention to what’s going on outside.
The key ingredients are the FordPass Connect modem and the SYNC 3 infotainment system. The former provides wi-fi for up to 10 devices and real-time traffic updates for the sat nav system. A phone app allows you to lock the car remotely or locate it if you’ve forgotten where you’ve parked.
The SYNC 3 set-up is accessed through an eight-inch three-way split touchscreen in the centre console that’s very clear and easy to use.
As well as sat nav, there is DAB radio, voice control, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Applink, an Emergency Assistance function and access to various car settings.
Other goodies include keyless entry and start, cruise control, auto lights (including high beam) and wipers, dual-zone climate control, heated and powered front seats, heated steering wheel, powered folding mirrors and front and rear parking sensors.
Safety features include traffic sign recognition and a lane keeping aid. A good option is the £1500 Driver Assistance Pack that upgrades the sound system and adds a parking assistance system, adaptive cruise control, front and rear cameras and blind spot alert.
Sporty features inside include the leather and suede seats, red stitching around the cabin, aluminium sports pedals, ST-Line scuff plates and the black headliner.
The exterior is far from bland, either. Visual highlights include a black honeycomb grille and black surrounds for the lights and side windows, 18in alloy wheels housing red brake callipers, privacy glass, full ST-Line body styling kit and a racy rear spoiler.
The Ford S-MAX proves that a practical car can be good looking and entertaining, too.
Factfile:
- Model: Ford S-MAX ST-Line 2.0 EcoBlue Auto
- Engine: 2.0-litre diesel
- Power: 190PS
- Top speed: 128mph
- 0-62mph: 10.5 seconds
- Average mpg: 43.5
- CO2 emissions: 134g/km
- Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles
- Price: £37,510
