Design

People carriers don’t always have the best reputation for the way they look, which isn’t something that can be said of the S-MAX. Its sleek design disguises a spacious interior, simple access to which is provided by a four-door body. The car’s front two rows feature five full-size seats that are ideal for adult passengers, while a third row is perfect for a pair of younger travellers. 

The second row slides and reclines, too, allowing for a great deal of flexibility. With five seats in place, the S-MAX’s boot holds a 700-litre capacity; with all but the front two seats dropped, this volume expands to van-like 2,020-litres.

​Performance

Two diesel engines are available for the new S-MAX, one manual and one automatic. In both cases, maximum power of 150PS and torque of 350Nm are available, as well as 0-100kmph acceleration of 10.8 seconds. Thanks to added technology such as Auto Start-Stop, the model is also capable of delivering clean performance, with CO2 emissions in the manual edition as low as 160g/km. ​

Technology and safety

Zetec grades are fitted with an eight-speaker sound system, featuring a DAB radio, an AM/FM tuner and a CD player. Also included is an eight-inch touchscreen display – and Ford SYNC 3, which provides fully integrated communication functionality and voice-activated control. Upgrade to top-tier Vignale trims for even more features, such as a Sony navigation system.

The S-MAX comes with Euro NCAP’s highest crash-test rating and a host of passive safety features. In addition to seven airbags and ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, a range of driver aids includes Electronic Stability Control, which significantly reduces the risk of skidding on dry, wet and icy surfaces.

S-MAX Hybrid

Ford are excited to announce that as well as offering S-MAX drivers their perfectly sized, feature-rich people carrier, there is now an even bigger reason to choose this iconic vehicle. The Ford S-MAX now combines seven-seat practicality with the refinement, efficiency and convenience of a full electric/petrol hybrid powertrain.

Offering a seamless transition for all drivers who wish to go electric Intuitive features help drivers monitor and improve their fuel and energy efficiency using interfaces for the available 10-inch digital instrument display. Brake Coach encourages gradual braking to help return more energy to the battery, and EV Coach helps drivers understand when they are using electric or hybrid power.

Under The Bonnet

The new S‑MAX Hybrid reduces CO2 emissions by more than 10 per cent (WLTP) when compared with the equivalent EcoBlue diesel powertrain. A combination of a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine, 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, electric motor and the latest generation of Ford’s power-split transmission enables an effortless driving and ownership experience that can help active families to reduce their CO2 emissions while enjoying more relaxing journeys.

Electric power is intelligently deployed to support petrol engine fuel efficiency or deliver silent, pure-electric driving for short periods depending on the scenario.

Battery charge is automatically replenished by the petrol engine and by using regenerative charging technology when coasting or braking. With no need for owners to plug into an external power source, S-MAX Hybrid is designed to seamlessly fit into family life – always ready to deliver electric power regardless of unpredictable schedules.