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Ford S-Max variants
Total price
Monthly payment

Finance representative example (PCP)

Total cash price £22,399. Borrowing £20,159 with a £2,240 deposit at a representative APR of 11.9%.

48 monthly payments
£339.57
Fixed interest rate
11.9%
Total amount payable
£29,766.27
Cost of credit
£7,367.27
Optional final payment
£11,227.00
Purchase fee
£10.00
Annual mileage limit
6000 miles

There are plenty of different ways you can spec your S-Max, so keep reading to learn about the engine and trims available.

Ford S-Max buying guide

What Ford S-Max trim levels are there?

The lineup starts with Zetec trim. This comes with alloy wheels, air conditioning, parking sensors, a heated windscreen, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and DAB radio.

Zetec was briefly offered as the entry-level trim for post-facelift S-Max cars but has since been dropped with Titanium now the entry point in the range. Titanium includes LED daytime running lights, silver roof rails, tinted rear windows and seat-back table trays.

ST-Line is Ford's sporty trim level, similar to BMW’s M Sport and Audi’s S Line. This gains meaner-looking exterior styling details and larger alloy wheels to help it stand out. It also adds part-leather upholstery, heated front seats and sports suspension.

Vignale is the highest trim available, it’s equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels and slick metallic paint, which make it stand out from other trims. It also comes prepared with a rear-view camera and premium leather upholstery, along with silver roof railings and unique exterior chrome detailing.

Ford S-Max interior and technology

The S-Max doesn’t feel like a budget car and its cabin will be more than a match for the rigours of life with a large family. The interior design is attractive and the layout is easy to get familiar with, but the excess of dark-coloured trim gives it a slightly serious ambience. However, in Titanium models you can solve this problem by selecting coloured ambient lighting of your choice from the infotainment menu.

Ford’s infotainment system is among the better setups you can buy, with a responsive screen and easy-to-navigate menus. In addition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard across the range allowing you to mirror your smartphone’s apps on the car’s display.

The S-Max is a large MPV so space is its main objective. Thankfully, it delivers with vast amounts of passenger space in the front two rows, and the option to squeeze two smaller passengers into the third row. Boot space is fantastic – more than enough room for the weekly shop with all seven seats in place, and nearly enough to rival some smaller vans with the rear seats folded.

Ford S-Max engine range explained

The S-Max has several engine options, mostly focused on efficiency. Ford has recently stopped selling the smooth EcoBoost petrol engines, leaving just diesel and hybrid-petrol power for the most recent S-Max model years.

Ford S-Max 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol

The 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol is the entry-level petrol option. With 160hp, it’s powerful enough to feel relaxed on the motorway but won’t impress any keen drivers.

Ford S-Max 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel 150

This is the entry-level diesel engine and a popular choice for S-Max buyers. It makes 150hp and can easily achieve more than 40 mpg if driven gently.

Ford S-Max 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel 190

This is the upgraded diesel engine available for the S-Max. This was offered with a manual option before 2020, but all models made since are automatic only. You trade a couple of mpg to the lesser diesel but get much more overtaking power in return.

Ford S-Max 2.5-litre Hybrid 190

This is a recent addition to the S-Max engine lineup and pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. It’s automatic only and, with 190 hp on tap, offers decent acceleration considering its focus on efficiency. An mpg figure in the mid-40s is possible if you drive with a light foot.

Ford S-Max FAQs

There’s just one version of the Ford S-Max and it’s a large five-door MPV with a hatchback boot lid. If you’re after something a little more compact, check out the Ford Kuga SUV or Ford Focus hatchback.

If you’re looking at nearly new S-Max cars, you’re most likely to see post-facelift models, which began arriving in 2020 and have slightly updated interior and exterior styling. The easiest way to tell the two apart is to look at the front grille – this is smaller on pre-2020 cars, while 2020-onwards cars have a restyled grille that overlaps the number plate.

The S-Max is slightly less than 4.8 metres long. That makes it one of the biggest cars in its class with the Volkswagen Touran and Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer coming in a few millimetres shorter. The S-Max’s sister model, the Ford Galaxy, comes in just a touch longer.

Room in the S-Max isn’t a problem, with lots of space in the first and second rows and 285 litres of boot space, even with all seven seats in place. Legroom is hard to come by for taller people in the third row, so these spots are best suited to children.

Most S-Max cars on the nearly new market are powered by the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine. This is a great all-round choice with comfortable long-range driving ability and enough torque to move the S-Max without feeling underpowered. The hybrid is a great choice if you cover a mix of urban and longer-range driving.

No, the Ford S-Max is available with petrol, diesel and hybrid engine options. Most models sold at Motorpoint come with diesel engines as these are the most popular with UK buyers.

With handsome styling, a long kit list and a frugal selection of engines, the Ford S-Max has found a lot of fans since it went on sale back in 2006. It’s a large car so it can be a hassle to park in the city, but it's excellent for family life and travelling.

Yes, the Ford S-Max has scored decently in terms of reliability throughout the years. Most of the parts and engines are shared with other Ford models, making replacements easy to find.

You can add an extended warranty to your S-Max for greater peace of mind. This will protect you in the event of an unexpected mechanical or electrical failure.

If being soaked in UV rays is your thing, the Ford S-Max can be equipped with an optional panoramic sunroof.