Ah, the S-Max. Ford's idea of a sexy MPV...
Well, they might have a point. MPVs are obviously for people who have procreated at least a couple of times before - hence all the kids inside. But with most people-carriers, the dull and boxy styling seems to indicate they've now entirely given up on the idea.
The slinkier S-Max seems to indicate there's still some, um, life left in the driver.
So why are we talking about it now?
Because this is an all-new one.
Why does it look so much like the all-old one?
The outline is similar because the S_Max's purpose is similar. It's often a sign of a good car that its maker doesn't need to do a total re-think every time.
But look closer and the styling is more three-dimensional than before, the nose is re-shaped, with a more definite bonnet line rather than a shovel front, and there's more love in all the details. And the platform is all-new, same as the new Mondeo.
How does it drive?
The S-Max is a good car. As with the Mondeo itself, this has nudged slightly in the direction of refinement and excellent smooth-riding comfort rather than driver engagement.
But it's still a good steer, better than almost all of the crossovers that have become the default big family car. You can even get it with a 240bhp version of the Focus ST engine. But that sounds duller here than in a hot hatch, and is paired to a slushy six-speed auto, has a job overcoming the weight, and has dypso tendencies.
Instead you want the 180bhp or 210bhp versions of the 2.0 diesel. We tried the 180, and it's got the torque to tackle the S-Max's not inconsiderable mass. You can have it with a slick manual, or a good twin-clutch auto. To that you can add all-wheel-drive for what would be a brilliant ski-trip wagon.
Away from snow, the front-driver's cornering manners are fine. It reacts very progressively and roll is well damped, though you'd hardly call the steering sharp. Still, Ford will be offering a clever active steering setup that makes the S-Max more direct at most speeds, but usefully slows the reactions at motorway mph for better stability.
Fancy. Any more novel tech?
Ford is also using the S-Max to premier another new gadget, the intelligent speed limiter. You set a top speed, and it then reads road signs and navigation data, and whenever the car passes into a lower limit it'll slow down to that speed.
When the limit rises, more throttle gives you more speed again. If you need to go faster for a moment, just floor the throttle completely. 'No more speeding fines?' says Ford. It felt a bit odd at first, but once we trusted it, the system seemed to do the job and is handy when the limit keeps changing. There's always the cancel button if it makes a mistake.
It's an MPV. Plenty of space inside?
When did you last see an MPV full of seven adults? The sloping roofline means the S-Max is really a 5+2. But that's fine: five people each get their own individual adjustable seat, and there's a huge boot.
On rare journeys with more people, one or two extra seats appear from the boot floor. They all fold one-by-one on spring assistance at the touch of five little trigger buttons in the boot. Overall it's a tremendously versatile space.
It it a nice place to be?
For the most part, the S-Max's interior is very nicely crafted and equipped. For instance, all versions have a big colour telly in the middle of the dash, so it's only £450 to add nav. It al feels solid and well-trimmed. Funnily enough the only bit that's conspicuously brittle plastic is the control plate of the 'premium' Sony hi-fi. But it sounds terrific.
This, or a Discovery Sport?
You've hit the nail on the head. The S-Max is faster and more economical and versatile, but it's a left-field choice in a world that's going SUV-crazy.
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