It is generally accepted that the Ford S-MAX and Galaxy are just about the best seven-seat models at affordable prices on the market.
The Ford S-MAX gets top marks for safety and is one of the most versatile and practical seven-seat models on the market with the huge bonus of being brilliant to drive
Every Ford S-MAX in the range comes with climate control, remote central locking, four electric windows, CD sound system with MP3 connectivity and height adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel. S-MAX Titanium versions get cruise control , rain sensing wipers and parking sensors whilst the extra-cost options are metallic paint, Bluetooth, satellite navigation and leather upholstery, plus parking sensors and cruise control for non-Titanium S-MAX models.
The Ford S-MAX and Galaxy are among the safest people-carriers that money can buy, with a five-star EuroNCAP score for adult occupant protection and four stars for child protection. They both get two stars out of a possible four for pedestrian protection. They both have anti-lock brakes with the option of ESP Electronic Stability Programme and traction control and they come with front, side and curtain air bags plus three-point seat belts all round and ISOFIX child seat mountings. CO2 emissions range from 164g/km in the case of the 1.8 TDCi model to 169g/km for the 2.0 TDCi and 194g/km for the 2.0-litre petrol models to 232g/km for the 2.3i automatic.
Although the Ford S-MAX is primarily a people-carrier it is also a fine driver’s car and this is reflected in the combination of petrol and diesel engines that offer good economy, prodigious pulling power and sporty performance. The 2.0-litre petrol S-MAX model has a power output of 143bhp, which endows the vehicle with a 122mph top speed, acceleration to 60mph in 10.4 seconds and economy of 34.8mpg. The 2.3i S-MAX model generates more power at 153mph whilst the automatic transmission reduces the top speed fractionally to 120mph with acceleration to 60mph in 10.7 seconds and economy of 29.1mpg. Then there is the flying machine. The 2.5-litre S-MAX version generates 217bhp of power and 236lb/ft of torque, which translates into a top speed of 142mph, acceleration to 60mph in 7.4 seconds and economy of 30mpg. Economy increases to 45.5mpg in the case of the 1.8 TDCi S-MAX, which has a top speed of 118mph, and a 0-60mph time of 10.9 seconds. The 2.0 TDCi S-MAX boosts the top speed to 121mph with sprightly acceleration to 60mph in 9.7 seconds and economy of 43.5mpg.
The range starts with the Ford S-MAX 2.0 Edge costing £18195 with the Ford S-MAX 1.8 TDci Edge available for £18995. The Ford S-MAX 2.0 Zetec costs £19,645 and comes with a Titanium option for a further £1,550, as is the case with every model in the range. The 2.3i Zetec Auto and 2.3i Titanium Auto cost £21,195 and £22,695 whilst the 2.5 Zetec is £21,695 plus £1,500 for the Titanium.
The 1.8 TDCi Zetec five-speed is £20,495 and the six-speed version is £20,695, again with Titanium options. The prices of the 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec and Titanium models are £21,545 and £23,045. Although all models are very comprehensively equipped there is still a fair range of optional extras available at additional cost.