Sporty SUV takes comfort to the Max

Ford’s latest incarnation of the Galaxy’s little brother has plenty of fight left to see off the opposition, writes Julie Marshall

When the Ford S-Max was launched in 2006, a sportier version of its big brother the Galaxy, it was well received, winning a number of awards including the 2007 European Car of the Year.

In 2014 the ‘All-New Ford SMax’ was launched as ‘a stylish and innovative reinvention of the trend-setting seven-seat sports activity vehicle’ and it is this that we are considering some five years down the line, although still calling it‘ All-New’ is a bit of a misnomer.

In the intervening years SMax has held its own against the trendy newcomers to the sporty SUV class and is still up there at the top of the popularity stakes.

At the back end of 2018 both of Ford’s SUVs gained new engines, transmissions and additional safety features. Ford’s two-litre E co blue diesel engine is available in four versions: a turbocharged 118bhp, 148bhp and 187bhp or a range-topping twin-turbocharged version packing 237bhp. The new diesel engine joins the 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol and its more potent 238bhp 2.0-litre stablemate.

It is claimed that the diesels are quieter and more fuel efficient than the outgoing Du rat orq diesel sand the eight-speed autobox is smoother than the six-speed box it replaces, which is, to be honest, as it should be.

Leaving engines and transmission aside, S-M axis a stylish and practical vehicle and driving it feels more akin to the experience you get in a large family saloon rather than a seven-seater people carrier – exactly what Ford hoped for all those years ago.

The Ford S-Max shares its platform with the Mondeo and Galaxy and was the first to use Ford’s adaptive front steering system. It is available as either front-wheel or all-wheel drive when 100 percent of torque can be shifted to the rear wheels should the need arise.

Already packed with plenty of high technology this latest upgrade includes a more sophisticated blind spot information system that can detect approaching vehicles from further back and the windscreen washer jets have been moved to the wiper arms for better cleaning and improved visibility.

Other improvements include the re-deployment of the electronic parking brake on the driver’s side of the central console and the four-inch LCD colour information screen now comes as standard – a ten-inch digital screen is also available as an extra cost option.

These join Ford’s clever adaptive lighting system which adjusts the headlight angle to match driving conditions and a parking system that allows for hands-free perpendicular parking.

A voice control system allows the driver to interact with the audio, navigation and climate control systems as well as any smartphones that are connected.

All passengers get a decent amount of headroom – even the third row will accommodate adults as well as children – and visibility is good wherever you’re seated. It’s also got a decent-sized boot and the five passenger seats will flip up easily – the middle row moving backwards and forwards as well.

The S-Max is good to drive, the accelerator responds quickly and smoothly and the steering is light with a decent turning circle.