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Ford S-MAX (2006 - )

What's Good

Originally shown as 'SAV' Concept. That was a 5 seater show car based on floorpan of forthcoming Mondeo III. Had seats in 2+2+1 configuration. In January 2006 became s 7-seater, was named S-MAX, positioned below the full-size 7-seater Ford Galaxy MPV and built alongside at Ford's factory in Genk, Belgium.

Ford FoldFlatSystem (FFS); flexibility without the removal of any seats. Interior provides 26 designed stowage compartments. Latest driver assistance and occupant protection technology, including driver's knee airbag, 220PS 2.5-litre turbo performance unit (as Volvo V50 T5 and Focus ST) tops range of engines.

Engines:

2.5-litre Duratec five-cylinder turbo engine offers 220PS and peak
torque of 320Nm from 1,500 to 4,800rpm. New Ford Durashift six-speed manual transmission.

2.0-litre Duratec HE petrol engine 16-valve, four-cylinder engine offering 145PS and peak torque of 190Nm. Matched with Ford's proven MTX-75 Durashift five-speed manual transmission.

Duratorq TDCi 1.8-litre diesel engine offers 125PS and a steady state peak torque of 320Nm (340Nm under transient overboost). Durashift six-speed manual.

Duratorq TDCi 2.0-litre diesel engine with 140PS and a peak torque of 320Nm (340Nm under transient overboost). Comes with Ford's Durashift six-speed manual transmission as standard.

Standard features include:
- 6.5J x 16-inch steel wheels with 215/60 tyres
- four disc brakes, front ventilated, with ABS and EBD
- driver's knee airbag
- curtain airbags for front and rear seats
- Ford FoldFlatSeat (FFS) seating system for rear two rows
- stereo radio/CD system with eight speakers, steering wheel controls
- heated, electrically adjustable door mirrors
- Quickclear heated windscreen
- heated washers
- perimeter and volume-sensing anti-theft device
- electric tailgate release
- front foglights
- driver's seat height adjustment
- air-conditioning
- electric front windows
- trip computer

Zetec versions add:
- 6.5J x 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 215/60 tyres
- dual electronic automatic temperature control (DEATC)
- illuminated driver and passenger's vanity mirrors
- front and rear electric windows with one-touch and anti-trap feature
- driver's seat power height adjustment and manual lumbar adjustment
- sports front seats
- seat back trays
- leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob
- reading lights

Titanium versions add:
- stereo radio/CD system with dash-mounted six-disc CD autochanger
- 7J x 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 225/50 tyres
- dusk sensor
- rain sensor
- auto-dimming rear view mirror
- driver and front passenger under-seat storage
- front and rear carpet mats
- cruise control
- front and rear parking distance sensors
- dark tinted privacy glass for rear and side windows

Prices:

S-MAX - 2.0 LX £16,767

S-MAX - 1.8 TDCi 125PS LX 5-SPEED £17,572

S-MAX - 1.8 TDCi 125PS LX 6-SPEED £17,772

S-MAX - 2.0 TDCi 140PS LX £18,272

S-MAX - 1.8TDCi 125PS ZETEC 5-SPEED £19,072

S-MAX - 1.8TDCi 125PS ZETEC 6-SPEED £19,272

S-MAX - 2.0 ZETEC £18,267

S-MAX - 2.0 TDCi 140PS ZETEC £19,772

S-MAX - 2.5 ZETEC £20,267

S-MAX - 1.8 TDCi 125PS TITANIUM 5-SPEED £20,572

S-MAX - 1.8 TDCi 125PS TITANIUM 6-SPEED £20,772

S-MAX - 2.0 TITANIUM £19,767

S-MAX - 2.0 TDCi 140PS TITANIUM £21,272

S-MAX - 2.5 TITANIUM £21,767

GOOD QUALITY. EXCELLENT HANDLING. A 7-SEATER SPORTSCAR, EVEN WITH THE 2.0 DIESEL ENGINE. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

HAS DESERVEDLY BEEN A HUGE SALES SUCCESS FOR FORD.

5 STAR NCAP CRASH SAFETY RATING

EUROPEAN CAR OF THE YEAR 2007 And well justified, beating the new Citroen C4 Picasso, Skoda Roomster, Volvi C30, Peugeot 207, Honda Civic, Vauxhall/Opel Corsa and FIAT Grande Punto in the final shoot out.

AUTOMATICS available from May 2007. To be a 130PS version of the diesel engine with an all new Aisin Warner 6-speed auto max design i/p torque 450Nm, max engine torque 340Nm at 2,000 rpm (type AWF21 by AISIN AW) restricts the engine to 400Nm in 1st, 2nd, & reverse gear. It appears the box has its own oil cooler (as against one embedded in the radiator). Also a temperature sensing system that drops down the ratios if necessary. On-the-road prices for the automatic start from £19,995. May 2007 specification improvements include: ESP fitted as standard across the range; Upgraded Human Machine Interface system, which now consists of three different levels of cluster displays. The new full colour Ford Convers+ HMI system which features a full colour six-inch screen will be fitted as standard to the S-MAX Titanium model. Also New Sport Pack for S-MAX Zetec and Titanium models includes 18in wheels (17in for the Zetec), sports suspension and partial leather trimmed seats. A body styling kit is also available for Titanium priced at £2,000

2.2 diesel 6-speed manual April 2008. Power 175PS. Torque 400Nm with 420Nm overboost. But only a single variable vane turnocjharger.

Good security.

The rear bumper of the Ford S-Max rated as ‘Good’ in ABI Thatcham damageability crash test results published December 2007.

S-MAX from £17,495 and GALAXY from £19,495

2007 European Car of the Year, now has advanced Bluetooth® technology fitted as standard across all specifications. Titanium trim now adds Solar Reflect Windscreen, ambient lighting and chrome door handles plus lower grille. The Titanium X pack now includes bi-xenon lights.

S-MAX sees the LX badge deleted in favour of Edge trim and receives a similar array of upgrades to the Mondeo. A new colour palate is joined by the availability of a FFV derivative, 2.2-litre TDCi powertrain in conjunction with Titanium trim and a 10PS power enhancement for diesel automatics.

Announcement 19-5-08: S-MAX and Galaxy offer the new 175PS TDCi engine. Provides a sustained 400Nm of torque at 1,750rpm for effortless overtaking
ability combined with exceptional economy.

Also a 10PS power boost, from 130PS to 140PS, for 2.0-litre diesel S-MAX and Galaxy with automatic gearbox.

Another new 2.0-litre Ford MPV variant is the S-MAX and Galaxy flexifuel (FFV) - capable of running on any mix of bioethanol and petrol in the same fuel tank.

Wireless Bluetooth® mobile phone connectivity standard across range.

S-MAX Titanium adds Solar Reflect Windscreen, ambient lighting and chrome door handles as standard, while the Titanium X pack now includes bi-xenon lights.

Entry-level S-MAX and Galaxy now called Edge instead of LX.

S-MAX and Galaxy colour range now includes Chill, Morello (aubergine), Blazer Blue and Hypnotic Silver joining existing shades.

S-MAX Titanium 5dr £23,495.00

18 June, 2008: Ford S-MAX named winner in the large MPV category at the British Insurance Car Security Awards for the second year running.

17 June, 2009: Ford S-MAX once again won the large MPV class in the British Insurance Car Security Awards, for the third year in a row, with Galaxy again named as runner-up. Supported by security experts Thatcham, the Department for Transport, the Home Office and UK insurers, the awards are the highest official recognition of vehicle security in the UK.

18 June 2009: Ford S-MAX won the 1725-1899kg category in the third annual Towcar Awards, as judged by experts from What Car?, Practical Caravan and The Camping and Caravanning Club.

Head judge of the awards, David Motton, said: “Everything we liked so much about S-MAX two years ago is still true today, but now it’s even better. Stability is excellent, even at high speeds, with a supple, well-controlled ride. The new 2.2 TDCi engine makes a huge difference [for towing]: good response from low revs and a hushed engine, which makes long journeys relaxing. It’s a great family MPV and now a top towcar too.”

Road test at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=219

Club and useful forum at www.smaxownersclub.co.uk

More at www.ford.co.uk

Last updated 11-10-2009

What's Bad

No spare tyre and nowhere to store one. Only a ridiculous tyre sealant and re-inflation kit that cannot seal and re-inflate a shredded tyre. The flaps to fill in the gaps in the floor when the seats are folded are a bit fiddly and weak looking. Some councils will not certificate S Max as mini cabs because they have no spare wheel and cannot be fitted with one.

2.2 turbodiesel apparently only fitted with one turbo instead of two sequential turbos, and sometimes suffers hesitation and loss of power under 2,000rpm. No 2.2 diesel auto. ECU mapping fault on 2.2 diesel apparently to be cured by the end of June 2008.

Poor economy and sluggish performance from the 1.8TDCI can be cured by an ECU download. There is now a a new one. The previous one ended in "LG". There is now a new one ending "LH". That's the one you need.

One reader's criticisms of his 1.8TDCI:

- Occasionally engages reverse gear when selecting first gear. DANGEROUS!

- Faulty battery - after 1 year wouldn't hold charge, car wouldn't start.

- Frequent stalling when pulling away on hills. Engine firmware updates can improve it, but the S-Max is a very heavy car and the 1.8 engine is a little underpowered at low revs before the turbo kicks in. (Always a problem with 2007/2008 Ford 1.8TDCIs.)

- Vibration through the vehicle at motorway speeds. Cause unknown.

- Fuel economy nowhere near the manufacturers spec. Instrument panel over exaggerates the mpg by around 20%. Does 30 - 35 actual mpg at best.

- Windscreen wiper is for LHD car. It wipes the passenger side first.

- Reflections of dash in windscreen can obscure view into shady roads on a sunny day.

- Heater wires in heated windscreen are too visible.

- A-post seriously restricts visibility forward to the right, increases risk of accident

- Munches through front tyres rather quickly.

- No boot lip to stop stuff falling out onto the street opening rear door. Beware.

- Nowhere to store tonneau cover when using all 7 seats.

- Glovebox has no lip to stop stuff tipping out into the passenger foot-well.

What to Watch Out For

More Feedback welcome. Teething troubles developing include "humming noise, that sounded like a fan running when none were, a very annoying whistle that develops at 55mph+, a faulty rear de-mister, the 'usual' rattle here and there", and ABS failure (on a 2.0 TDCI). "Humming noise" later identified as a symptom of the ABS pump failing.

Reports of leaking panoramic roofs.

Numerous complaints of problems with alarm system, gives message "Alarm Service Required" and in August 2007 dealers did not know how to fix it.

Complaint of split a/c pipe flooding footwell and rear door handle disintegrating.

Spare body parts a problem due to all parts going into production to feed very strong first year demand.

Report of 2.0 petrol engine cutting out and stuttering in idle and a knocking noise whenever the brakes were used. Brake master cylinder replaced but stuttering and cutting out at idle still continued and within 5 weeks knocking noise when brakes were used returned.

Minor complaints of poor trim finish: problems with centre armrest, bonnet release and rear ashtray.

Report of gear lever selector mechanism problem engaging 1st instead of reverse and vice versa.

Front parking sensors (where fitted) seem to be unduly prone to interference.

Blocked ventilation well drains can lead to flooding and severe damage to the wiring loom costing £2,000 - £3,000 to rectify. Make sure no water is slopping about in the vent well under the windscreen and if it is, clear the drains.

Quite a lot of reports of premature dual mass flywheel / clutch failures on diesels.

Police experiencing clutch problems with hard driven 2.5Ts after around 35,000 miles. The clutch goes "soft". Could be a dual mass flywheel problem.

Recalls

'Emergency' 2006 TSB 58/2007 to cure an earthing fault that leads to rapid battery draindowns.

1 17/07/2006 R/2006/118 FORD S-MAX AND GALAXY possibility of engine cut out 01/02/2006 11/06/2006

2 10/01/2007 R/2007/003 FORD SMAX & GALAXY heated windscreen earth point may not be tightened - risk of burn damage to trim 01/12/2005 28/06/2006

3 05/12/2007 R/2007/133 FORD FOCUS, C-MAX, S-MAX AND GALAXY in low ambient temperature hard brake pedal may occur 02/11/2005 30/12/2006

4 12/03/2008 R/2008/038 FORD Galaxy & SMax glass roof panel may detach 27/09/2006 05/10/2006