Ford S-MAX

Our verdict

Is it a chopped Galaxy or a swollen Mondeo? We’re not sure, but we do know we like the Ford S-Max. It’s sharp looking, sharp handling and utterly practical. The idea that you can actually desire a seven-seat MPV is still waking us up in a cold sweat.

Comfort

There's been no significant compromise in ride quality in order to make the S-Max more lively to drive, and it still feels remarkably comfortable and refined, even in the back, even while the driver's caning it.

Performance

The 2.5-litre turbo unit from the Focus ST does remarkably well in the S-Max, shoving it eagerly along despite all that body weight, and with no discernible lag. But the more obvious choice of a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel makes a decent fist of it too.

Cool

Is there a bit too much denial in the S-Max to make it cool? Perhaps you'd be better off accepting your fate and plumping for the larger and less disingenuous Galaxy.

Quality

Part of the new direction at Ford alongside the Mondeo, Galaxy and Focus, the S-Max seems very well put together, and with far higher quality materials than we used to expect.

Handling

Weirdly the S-Max does handle quite well. Ford has re-engineered the Galaxy format to offer a modicum of driving entertainment, but what this really makes for is a family car you can feel totally confident about at speed.

Practicality

The S-Max has a sloping roofline that significantly reduces headroom in the third row. For that reason alone you'd have to argue that it's fundamentally impractical, since there's the vastly bigger Galaxy for a little bit more money.

Running costs

A bargain compared to things like the Renault Grand Scenic and Volkswagen Touran, and likely to hold its value quite well because it's more desirable and still a bit of a curio.