Ford S-MAX Vignale 2016 review ~ station of gear

22 Jun, 2016 10:00pm Richard Ingram

Flagship Ford S-MAX Vignale adds quality and comfort to the range, but is it worth the extra cost?

The Vignale badge is “the highest expression of luxury for the Ford brand”, according to large car product manager Paul Baines. The nameplate first appeared on the new Mondeo last year – but before Ford fettles its Edge and Kuga SUVs, it’s giving the big-selling S-MAX people carrier a makeover.

The idea is simple: Take a top-spec S-MAX, throw in some extra chrome, cover the interior in leather, and go to town on the options. There’s no denying this flash S-MAX doesn’t come stacked with kit – as each car gets 18-inch alloy wheels, heated leather seats and a rear-view camera. That’s in addition to the laminated windows, DAB radio and rear-view camera, too.

From the outside – if you can ignore the slightly brash Vignale badges – this S-MAX looks fairly unassuming. Our car got a set of larger wheels, but save the extra chrome on the grille, windows and tailgate, it’s business as usual.

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It’s inside where Ford hopes to make the biggest impression, and let’s face it, that’s where buyers will spend most their time. The layout is very familiar, with large clear dials and a big eight-inch touchscreen display to control the car’s nav, radio and menu settings. All Vignale models incorporate Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment system, which by using voice control can direct you to the nearest petrol station or recommend areas to stop for coffee. That’s not to mention the ‘Ford Store’ tailored concierge service that comes as standard when you buy or lease a Vignale product.

The seats are a delight, and cocoon you supportively in place the moment you get behind the wheel. As a long-distance cruiser, there are few places you’d rather spend time – with even the headrest offering a seemingly additional layer of cushion over the standard car. The light-coloured ‘Cashmere’ leather in our Vignale looked great, though we’re sure that subjecting it to the rigours of family life would leave it looking tired rather quickly. Buyers can choose a dark Ebony colour instead – and if you plan to use the S-MAX as intended, that’s likely a wise choice.

Atop the dash you’ll find plenty of soft-touch materials, with some neat contrasting stitching throughout. Ford has even laid leather on the central storage bin, while beneath your feet you’ll find 28oz front and rear carpets. Lower down quality takes a bit of a dip, though, with some disappointingly scratchy plastics and surprisingly standard-looking switches. It’s little things like the cheap-feeling glovebox and tacky doorbins that make you wonder where your money’s been spent.

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And there’s quite a price to pay – our S-MAX Vignale (an early UK car on German plates) costs around £2,700 more than the previous range-topping Titanium Sport model. We’d look at saving even more cash by opting for the standard Titanium model, which works out at more than £4,000 less spec-for-spec.

Luckily, however, practicality is unaffected. So you get the same versatile seven-seat interior, with three individual seats across the middle row. Head and legroom are good, especially with the seats rolled back. The rearmost seats are still on the small side, but they lower electronically via a button in the boot – revealing an impressive 2,020-litre load bay. Keep them up and you’ll find a usable 285 litres, which is enough for a few squashy bags or a small buggy.

Our car came with the frankly absurd 237bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It’s only available with the automatic gearbox, but despite its sizeable power output feels breathless under hard acceleration. It’s impressively quiet on the move, and thanks to those laminated side windows and active sound cancellation tech, will sit quietly on the motorway all day long. The S-MAX remains one of the better MPVs to drive, too, belying its size admirably with very little roll in the corners. The steering isn’t super-precise, but it’s accurate enough given the car’s purpose.

That said – as with lesser S-MAX models – the diesel models are more responsive and considerably better to drive. The superior torque on the entry-level 178bhp 2.0-litre TDCi will suit most buyers better, while those after more grunt can opt for the 207bhp version of the same engine. Our car will return 35.8mpg, but even the most powerful 4x4 diesel autos will nudge nearly 50mpg.

Ford insists buyers want more from the Mondeo, Kuga, Edge and S-MAX, but we can’t help wonder if Vignale is a step too far. This high-powered petrol will appeal only to a few select buyers, but engine aside, this flagship spec offers little over the already competent Titanium models. The S-MAX Vignale does take comfort and quality up a notch, but dig deeper and you’ll find some questionable plastics throughout the cabin. Save some cash and go for a lower-powered diesel in well-specced Titanium trim – and spend the difference on a holiday with the kids.

Model: Ford S-MAX Vignale 2.0 SCTi 240PS Auto
Price: £34,750
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power/torque: 237bhp/345Nm
Transmission: Six-speed auto, front-wheel drive

0-62mph: 8.4 seconds
Top speed: 140mph
Economy/CO2: 35.8mpg/180g/km
On sale: Now

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