Ford S-MAX long-term review ~ station of gear

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5 Apr, 2016 12:00pm Dean Gibson

First report: Will our new S-MAX show that one car is a better option than two for a growing family?

Family life can be pretty demanding at the best of times, so I'm hopeful that our new Ford S-MAX will be a useful addition to the Gibson clan. However, it did get me wondering: are two cars better than one for a busy family? To help answer the question, I gave my mate Adam a bell to gather together our respective families and motors for an impromtu group test.

You see, Adam runs a Ford Mondeo, while his wife Debs drives a B-MAX, and they use both their cars to ferry their daughters Grace and Faith around on journeys short and long. Me? Well, I've got my wife Lynn and son Rhys, and while we have a similarly busy schedule, with just the S-MAX to hand, there are a few compromises to be made.

• Ford S-MAX vs rivals

Thankfully, one that you don't need to make is on load-lugging. With a maximum capacity of 2,020 litres, the S-MAX's big, boxy body has far more space than you get in a Mondeo, and while the folding back seats are similar to the B-MAX's, you get two extra cairs in the boot. These rearmost seats mean that all seven of us could head out in one car, while the three sets of Isofix mounts in the middle row ensure the kids are secure in their child seats, too.

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Access to the cabin is trickier than in the B-MAX, because the latter's sliding doors mean it's easy to get in and out of the back. In fact, it's a bit of a surprise that neither of Ford's big MPVs, the S-MAX or Galaxy, has sliding doors, seeing as the B-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX come with them.

What the S-MAX isn't lacking is standard kit. The cabin takes inspiration from the Mondeo, and as both Adam and I are running Titanium X models, it's only the S-MAX's elevated driving position and more upright dashboard that differentiates the pair.

That means you get loads of standard kit, including Ford's latest touchscreen nav, although that does show up fingerprints rather easily. Our car's X pack is a pricey add-on at £2,225, but it includes heated leather seats with electric adjustment and memory function for the driver's seat, and adaptive LED headlights. I've been very impressed with the headlight system, because you can leave it on main beam at night and it automatically picks out other traffic and dips only a section of the beam, leaving the surrounding area illuminated.

Our S-MAX uses the more powerful 178bhp version of Ford's 2.0 TDCi diesel, and is paired with a six-speed Powershift auto. It packs plenty of punch, while a few lengthy runs have seen economy come in at 37.2mpg.

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Still, the engine is quiet and refined, and combined with soft suspension, the S-MAX is a pretty comfortable cruiser. We've added adaptive cruise control to our car, which comes with active city stop, for £900. It takes the strain out of long-distance travel, and the S-MAX is proving quiet and refined.

The only real quibble with our new arrival is its sheer size. There's no doubt a B-MAX is far easier to park, but at least the S-MAX gets front and rear parking sensors as standard. We've added front and rear cameras for £400 and park assist for £150 for extra peace of mind, but the S-MAX is undoubtedly a bit of a beast to park. Still, it's easier than finding space for two cars.

In some ways, the S-MAX delivers the best of the B-MAX and Mondeo in one package. While the versatility of a two car garage is out of reach, the sheer size of its cabin, the practical seat layout, high-tech kit and everyday driving comfort mean that's a compromise I'm happy to make.

Model: Ford S-MAX 2.0 TDCi 180 Titanium X Powershift
On fleet since: January 2016
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 178bhp
CO2/tax: 139g/km/£130

Options: Metallic paint (£545) Sony DAB nav (£450) front and rear cameras (£400) rear sunblinds (£125) adaptive cruise and city stop (£900) park assist (£150) blind sport monitor (£500) hands-free tailgate (£400) Winter Pack (£300)
Insurance: Group: 24 Quote £360
Mileage/mpg: 2,325/37.2mpg
Any problems?: None so far

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