The Ford S-Max (stylized as Ford S-MAX) is a mid-size MPV that was produced by Ford Europe for the European market. A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), Ford also describes the S-Max as an SAV (sports activity vehicle). Introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the S-Max went on sale alongside the new generation Ford Galaxy in May 2006.

The S-Max was intended to be as sporty as a saloon car, and spacious as an MPV. It drew inspiration from the seven-seater large MPV Galaxy and the compact MPV Ford C-Max. The S-Max received many positive reviews and awards, and was voted European Car of the Year 2007 on 13 November 2006. Ford had plans to sell the S-Max in Japan under the then subsidiary brand Mazda, but that was no longer viable upon the latter's split.

The S-Max was discontinued in April 2023 alongside the Ford Galaxy without any direct successor.

Features The S-Max was the first vehicle in Ford's lineup to feature their Kinetic Design styling. The Kinetic Design scheme includes angular headlights, twin trapezoidal grilles, and large wheel arches.

It comes with heated front and back windscreens, parking sensors, auxiliary input and dual climate control as standard. One major selling point of the S-Max is its "Fold Flat System". This design allows the second- and third-row seats to fold seamlessly into the floor, leaving extra storage space. Also, the S-Max's second row has three individual seats, all with ISOFIX attachment points.

First generation (CD340; 2006)

For the English speaking markets there are three derivatives of the S-Max: Edge, Zetec, and the high-end Titanium. Ford has stated that around sixty percent of all S-Max buyers choose Titanium specification. Continental trim levels are Trend, Titanium and the top-of-the-line Titanium S.

In March 2008, a 2.2L 175 PS TDCi common rail diesel was added to Titanium series and delivers acceleration from 0-62 mph in 9.0 seconds. In September 2008, the popular 2.0 140 PS TDCi manual engine was offered with a CO2 of 159 g/km. The S-Max Trend debuted in China in 2010. The Trend is basically a normal S-Max, but without the back row of seats. The idea is to make it more affordable, and to give more storage space to people who might want it.

Facelift

Powertrain All S-Maxes use versions of the Duratorq or Duratec engines. The S-Max uses a five-speed or six-speed manual transmission, and a six-speed automatic option.

Engine Power Transmission1.8 TDCi101 PS (101 hp)5 Speed Manual 1.8 TDCi 125 PS (123 hp) 5 Speed Manual 1.8 TDCi 125 PS (123 hp) 6 Speed Manual 2.0 TDCi 115 PS (113 hp) 6 Speed Manual 2.0 TDCi 140 PS (143 hp) 6 Speed Manual 2.0 145 PS (138 hp) 6 Speed Manual 2.0 145 Flex Fuel 130 PS (128 hp) 5 Speed Manual 2.2 TDCi 175 PS (173 hp) 6 Speed Manual 2.3 160 PS (158 hp) 6 Speed Automatic 2.5 (shared with the Ford Focus ST) 220 PS (217 hp) 6 Speed Manual This vehicle has also been converted to use an aftermarket conversion hybrid powertrain: Langford Performance Engineering 'Whisper' powertrain New petrol engines for the 2010–2011 models: 1.6 STCi EcoBoost, 6-speed manual, 160 PS 2.0 STCi EcoBoost, Powershift, 203 PS

Powertrains available for the 2012 models: 1.6T 160 PS EcoBoost (Start/Stop), 6-speed manual 2.0 203 PS EcoBoost, PowerShift auto 2.0 240 PS EcoBoost, PowerShift auto 1.6 TDCi 115 PS (Start/Stop), 6-speed manual 2.0 TDCi 140 PS, 6-speed manual 2.0 TDCi 140 PS, PowerShift auto 2.0 TDCi 163 PS, 6-speed manual 2.0 TDCi 163 PS, PowerShift auto 2.2 TDCi 200 PS, 6-speed manual 2.2 TDCi 200 PS, Automatic

Safety

The Ford S-Max incorporates no breakthrough safety features, but it has received a 5-star/36-point (Best in Class) rating from the Euro NCAP.

The safety features include the Intelligent Protection System (IPS), which combines a body structure optimised for strength and crashworthiness with restraint equipment and driver aids that help avoid an accident and lessen the likelihood of injuries in an impact. It has many modern airbags, including a knee airbag and a thorax airbag.

The S-Max also has an advanced neck protection system, three-point seat belts, optimised pre-tensioners, load limiters, anti-submarining seat subframes, a collapsible steering system, and safety pedals. For handling, it has an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) along with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and a standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system.

Media The high performance version Ford S-Max was reviewed on Top Gear (Series 8, Episode 7) against the similar spec Vauxhall Zafira and the Mercedes B200. The S-Max was the most affordable, yet was described as having the best interior and exterior, and being the most comfortable. The presenters, James May and Richard Hammond, also considered it to be the most practical. Overall, they praised the car and declared it to be the best value for money out of the three.

Second generation (CD539; 2015)

The second generation was first presented at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.

After its sibling, Ford Galaxy, was being presented at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the S-Max went on production in late 2015. It comes with the same engines as the Galaxy, Mondeo and Edge, which consist of one diesel (in four states of tune) and two petrols. The 1.5 SCTi Ecoboost has 160 hp, and the 2.0 SCTi has 240 hp; the latter can only be had with the Ford 6F automatic transmission. All the diesels average over 50mpg – the best is the 2.0 TDCi Duratorq 120, which produces 57mpg.

Both the 2.0 TDCi 150 and 180 versions come with either a six-speed manual or the Powershift; the latter can also be specced with AWD. The final model, the Bi-Turbo 2.0 TDCi 210 comes with the Powershift Gearbox only, and hits 0 to 62 in under nine seconds. The trim levels are similar to any Ford, and mirror those found in the Galaxy, Mondeo and Edge, including Zetec, Titanium and Titanium Sport; also an executive spec Vignale is available.

2019 Facelift In 2019 the facelifted S-Max was revealed. No petrol-engined model was offered, the only engines being various tunings of the 2.0L EcoBlue diesel.

In 2021, all ICE options were dropped and replaced with a 2.5L petrol hybrid system outputting .

Production of the S-Max ended in April 2023 due to sharply declining sales in the MPV segment and Ford's shift towards crossovers, SUVs and electrified vehicles.

Engine specifications +Petrol enginesModelYear(s)DisplacementFuel typePowerTorqueCO2 Emissions1.5 EcoBoost 160HP2015–2018Petrol 9.9 s 149 g/km2.0 EcoBoost 240HP Auto2015–2018Petrol 8.4 s 174 g/km2.5 Duratec Hybrid (HEV)2021–2023Hybrid 9.8 s 146-150 g/km +Diesel enginesModelYear(s)DisplacementFuel typePowerTorqueCO2 Emissions2.0 TDCi 120HP2015–2023Diesel 13.4 s 129 g/km2.0 TDCi 150HP2015–2023Diesel 10.8 s 129 g/km2.0 EcoBlue TDCi 150HP PowerShift2015–2019–2020Diesel 10.8 s 139 g/km2.0 EcoBlue TDCi 150HP AWD2015–2019–2020Diesel 12.1 s 139 g/km2.0 EcoBlue TDCi 180HP2015–20192019–2020Diesel 9.7 s 129 g/km2.0 EcoBlue TDCi 180HP PowerShift2015–20192019–2020Diesel 9.5 s 139 g/km2.0 EcoBlue TDCi 180HP AWD PowerShift2015–20192019–2020Diesel 10.5 s 149 g/km2.0 EcoBlue TDCi Bi-turbo 210HP PowerShift2019–2020Diesel 8.8 s 144 g/km

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