The clichéd summary for any ‘People Mover’ is that it feels like a car. Of course, none of them feel like cars. But this has become the de facto way of saying, ‘it’s not a van – OK?’
While people movers or multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) are now established and popular sellers, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that the one which drives least like a mini-bus is going to be the biggest seller.
Well the S-Max is a long way from a mini-bus, indeed it may be the first MPV to define how an MPV should drive in its own right. But it does remind me of the A-Team van. There were many ludicrous things about this 1980s TV show, not least the idea that four men could look serene and comfortable in leather chairs while Mr. T hurled a massive great van round corners like a rally car.
But automotive engineering has come a long way it seems. Four adults can definitely sit serenely in spacious leather seats while I spin wheels and hurl the S-Max about, like a rally car. The S-Max shares the gearbox and engine of the class-leading Mondeo. Press the sport button and it delivers seriously sporty acceleration and handling. But, a word to the wise, take it out of sport mode before going over sleeping policeman. Otherwise its like crash landing a Jumbo.
Back in comfort or normal settings (I never really worked out the difference) it feels more like an MPV again. In high-end leather specification with the FordConvers+ screen directly in front of you, you are in a stress free environment. Navigation and music, car information and air conditioning controls and displays are all very easy to master. Having the small screen in front of the steering wheel, as well as the main screen in the centre console makes a surprising difference. It means you never need to take your eye off the road for too long.
Cars like the Qash Qai make the idea of parenting seem a little easier. 4x4s like the XC90 make it seem important. The S-Max makes it kind of cool.
The styling is as modern as it is head-turning. Where as MPVs tend to look like sculpted vans, this looks unique. Its styling gives its personality away. Practical but fun; sporty but serious. One of the key design elements is glass where the A-Pillar would usually be. It looks fantastic from outside but is less fantastic to look through.
When turning right across the opposite carriageway, this glass helps give you a chance of seeing where you are going. It’s a lot better than a thick A-pillar, but effectively having two A-pillars is not ideal either.
The space and practicality defies logic. I looked at the two extra seats that pop-up in the boot area and thought, ‘how ridiculous.’ But I sat in one quite easily – and I am 6’ 3”. OK, I looked silly and it wouldn’t work for a long trip. But that’s not the point. If you want to accommodate five adults for a long journey you buy the Galaxy. This is for taking your kids and their friends to the Cinema. Or whatever else cool Dads do.
I couldn’t count how many seat configuration options it has, but its lots. As well as being light and easy to move, the seats are also very comfortable.
The S-Max also has the directional headlights. This is one of the gadgets appearing on more and more cars. I tend to see it as delivering insufficient benefit to justify the potential risk of future technical failure (read bills).
But, like so many technical advances, it provides some hilarity. Turning right, late at night, there was a pedestrian about to cross the road. Unable to hear my car coming down the quite access road over the noise of the nearby main road, said pedestrian ventured one foot onto the tarmac. I had seen her from some way back and was simply going to give her a wide birth and continue round the corner. Unless she broke out into a run there was no chance of a collision. However, the headlights, sensing the start of my right turn shone a light out to the right. The angle of the hill meant the light shone straight in her face. I have never seen such a shocked pedestrian. She leapt back defying all inertia. So, perhaps these lights will save lives after all. Either that or they will give someone a heart attack.
The S-Max is so good at what it sets out to do that it is hard to find things to say about it. The only thing I can criticise, and I’m only really mentioning it because I need another 100 words, is the boot design. It is very tall, so when open it, you have to leap back or it bashes you in the ribs. And it takes some mighty effort to close. I frequently went to pull away only to find an alarm telling me it wasn’t closed properly. It is annoying having to jump out, open and slam it again. But hardly a deal-breaker is it?
Summary
MPVs started out feeling like customised vans. This is the MPV that finally defines the class. It delivers a highly impressive balance of qualities. Anyone with a growing family that enjoys driving will like the S-Max. Very few cars completely live up to expectations, especially when the car is set so high. But the S-Max manages it.
Real car in the classifieds
2008 08 Reg Ford S-Max 2000 cc Tdci Titanium
7 miles
£20,000
(0870) 9095274
Road test car details
Ford Titanium 2.0 TDCi 5dr
OTR: £22,500
0-60: 11.1
MPG: 45.6
Co2 g/KM: 164