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Ford S-MAX

Years built: 2005 to datePrices: £4,500-£32,000Our pick: 2.0 TDCi Zetec

The older the Ford S-MAX gets, the more attainable it becomes. This is the second year in a row that the blue oval’s people carrier has taken our Best Used MPV title, and lower prices have made it even more 

attractive this time around.

It eclipses virtually every other seven-seat MPV from behind the wheel with its nimble handling, but it’s also comfortable. What’s more, it feels like a premium product, there’s plenty of space and the interior is one of the most flexible there is.

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As we’ve come to expect from Ford, there are plenty of engines on offer. The smooth, powerful and quiet 2.0, 2.3 and turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engines are typically attractively priced, but expensive to run. Diesels are much more sensible, and you can choose between 1.8, 2.0 and powerful 2.2-litre units.

The 2.0-litre TDCi is the best all-rounder, with a fine blend of economy and performance. If you’re on a budget, then it’s worth checking out the 1.8-litre diesel, which is the cheapest to buy and run, with 45.6mpg and 164g/km.

Entry-level LX or later Edge models are reasonably well equipped, but Zetec versions offer the best mix of kit and value.

The S-MAX finished 18th overall in our Driver Power 2011 survey, which is the highest of any MPV. A raft of revisions last year means nearly-new buyers should also focus on the brilliant Ford.

Driver Power 2011

What you said: “A very practical car with seven seats but handling to match something much smaller like a Focus. Incredibly versatile with plenty of luggage space, great fuel economy and build quality.”

Value choice

SEAT Alhambra

1996-2011

The original Alhambra is a rebadged version of the Volkswagen Sharan, which is great news for anyone looking for a reliable and comfortable second-hand MPV on a budget. There’s loads of space inside and the mechanicals are well proven. It has only just been replaced – and after such a long production run, supply is plentiful.

Read our latest run down of the best MPVs

The Categories

Best City Car: Hyundai i10

Best Supermini: Ford Fiesta

Best Compact Family Car: Ford Focus

Best Estate: Skoda Octavia Estate

Best Supermini-MPV: Honda Jazz

Best Family Car: Ford Mondeo

Best Compact SUV: Land Rover Freelander 2

Best Crossover: Nissan Qashqai

Best Large SUV: Land Rover Discovery 3

Best Compact Executive: BMW 3 Series

Best Executive Car: Jaguar XF

Best Coupe: Audi TT MkII

Best MPV: Ford S-MAX

Best Cabriolet: Audi A4 Cabriolet

Best Hot Hatch: Volkswagen Golf GTI MkV

Best Luxury Car: Mercedes S-Class

Used Car Scheme of the Year: Kia

Used Car of the Year: Ford Fiesta

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