Car group tests

Sub £16k - Ford S-Max

The world is your oyster at this price level, and we rate cars in three different classes

by: Auto Express team

24 Jul 2009

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If your family is growing, it’s time to consider an MPV – and the Ford S-MAX is one of the best. But as bosses have introduced three price rises across the blue oval range this year, you wouldn’t expect it to score on value. So the Scrappage Scheme makes it look more attractive than ever.

Thanks to an extra £2,500 off, you can pick up an S-MAX for less than £16,000 – tempting for a stylish car with seven full-sized seats and an interior flexible enough to meet the demands of a modern family.

That amount buys the Edge model with a 145bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine which promises combined economy of just under 35mpg. Standard kit includes stability control, as well as a multitude of airbags – even one for the driver’s knees – plus an alarm, immobiliser and Ford’s clever Quickclear windscreen. In terms of style, the S-MAX is leagues ahead of the competition. It looks genuinely desirable, blending tight lines with neat detailing. Plus, it delivers on this promise with strong driving dynamics.

Direct steering and tight handling complement the responsive range of engines to make the S-MAX great fun from behind the wheel.

Further back, though, it’s as practical as any people carrier, with sliding seatbases. The boot is just as user-friendly. Thanks to Ford’s clever Fold Flat system, you can get a level load area without having to remove the third row of seats. And even when they’re in place, you’re able to access nearly 300 litres of load space.

It’s a superb all-round package for £16,000 – but canny buyers could have got one for even less. When we arranged this test, you could get a 1.8-litre model for under £15,000 with Scrappage and an additional Ford discount.