Used Ford S-Max 2006-2014 review

The model was voted European Car of the Year in 2007, and there’s plenty more to celebrate. Those potent petrol engines were offered alongside a range of diesels. Among the latter, our favourite is the 161bhp 2.0 TDCi, especially combined with the Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Thanks to the engine’s wide spread of torque, you should see around 50mpg with moderate driving. From 2010, petrol and diesel engines were either replaced or updated, but don’t expect to drive one of the diesels into a ULEZ area scot-free. At best they are Euro 5-compliant – Euro 6 is required – so they will attract a charge.

Also as part of the 2010 update, Ford improved the S-Max’s ride and handling – not that the engineers had to burn too much midnight oil, because beneath that capacious body is the chassis of our favourite repmobile, the Ford Mondeo.

We describe the S-Max as a seven-seater, although Ford called it a 5+2 – an acknowledgement that the rearmost seats are big enough only for children. There’s not much head room, either, owing to the S-Max’s raked roofline – but it’s one reason why people bought it over the more upright Galaxy. Those seats and the middle row fold into the floor to give a 2m-long load bay.

Trim levels rise through Zetec and Titanium to Titanium X Sport. This last adds a sports bodykit, twin chrome-tipped exhausts and – don’t laugh – a rear diffuser. In this spec, and with either the 163bhp 2.0 TDCi under the bonnet or the punchy but reasonably efficient 200bhp 2.0T, a post-2010-reg S-Max looks a proper eyeful.

Diesels outnumber petrols and Titanium trim is the most plentiful; sports suspension was an option. It firms up the ride, which, fortunately, remains comfortable. 

When Autocar tested the S-Max, our testers saved their biggest accolade for the verdict, stating simply: “The car is comfortable and secure yet can also put a smile on your face.” We’ll take that.

Ford S-Max (2006-2014) common problems

Engine and gearbox: Given how many have been sold, you can expect all sorts of horror stories. The best you can do is insist on a full service history, ideally from a Ford dealer, with invoices detailing every job. Fresh oil, both engine and transmission, plugs, coolant and brake fluid at the right intervals are essential. On low-mileage cars or cars that have spent a long time in the city doing stop-start driving, be aware of issues with the dual-mass flywheel.