Skip advert
Advertisement
Long-term tests

Ford S-MAX

A starring role in a Ford technical video was the latest assignment for our MPV

Find your Ford S-MAX
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

It's amazing how popular you become when you are running an MPV. There’s constant badgering for the keys from colleagues moving house or ferrying families. 

But one request from our head of motoring video Mat Watson was different from the norm. He wanted the S-MAX to star in a video promoting Ford’s in-car tech for our sister website expertreviews.co.uk. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Eyeing a shot at small screen stardom, I immediately agreed – only to be told by shy and retiring Mat that as I had a face for the radio, he’d be doing the shoot. Typical! As you can see, though, our S-MAX made light work of it all, which has been a feature of its tenure with us.

From motorway blasts up to Scotland to cross country sprints and the daily nursery run, the Ford has handled everything with aplomb, fully living up to its billing as a family car that you can have a little fun with.

The 2.0-litre engine provides more than adequate torque for easy overtaking, while the facility to fold flat both rows of seats has been invaluable on the occasions I’ve required the S-MAX’s huge 2,000-litre carrying capacity.

Our Ford comes with plenty of equipment – some of it very clever. But it’s probably the leather seats which have been the biggest boon. As my 18-month-old daughter regularly sits in the back, there’s generally plenty of mess, and they really are extremely easy to wipe down.

As an all-rounder, then, it’s hard to beat. Little wonder Mat wanted it in his video. Few cars are more deserving of a starring role.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,640Avg. savings £2,474 off RRP*Used from £7,995
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £24,040Avg. savings £1,539 off RRP*Used from £18,990
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £3,637 off RRP*Used from £8,695
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,805Avg. savings £4,597 off RRP*Used from £8,192
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Ford Fiesta ST: ‘non-negotiable’ return of an iconic hot hatch
Ford Fiesta ST render (watermarked) - front

New Ford Fiesta ST: ‘non-negotiable’ return of an iconic hot hatch

Fast Fords are ‘non-negotiable’, the first could be a return of the hot Fiesta ST supermini
News
21 Aug 2026
New Dacia Spring 2026 review: with more power comes greater ability
Dacia Spring Extreme - front tracking

New Dacia Spring 2026 review: with more power comes greater ability

A larger and more powerful motor has transformed the Spring into a surprisingly accomplished motorway cruiser, although previous pitfalls remain.
Road tests
20 Aug 2026
Zip-merging is fairer, faster and recommended by all the experts. So why do UK drivers refuse to do it?
Steve Walker zip-merging

Zip-merging is fairer, faster and recommended by all the experts. So why do UK drivers refuse to do it?

Steve Walker is completely flummoxed as to why UK drivers can’t get their heads around this simple principle.
Opinion
21 Aug 2026