Ford S-Max

Ford S-Max at a glance

The S-Max sits in our Ford catalogue next to the Galaxy, which shared its platform, plants and most of its engines but had a taller body and a more upright roof.

Generations and model history

First generation (CD340, 2006-2014)

Ford showed the S-Max at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006 and put it on sale in May 2006, alongside a new Galaxy. It was the first Ford styled in the Kinetic Design language, with angular headlamps, a large trapezoid grille and pronounced wheel arches. The jury of European Car of the Year voted it the winner for 2007 on 13 November 2006.

The cabin was built around Ford's Fold Flat System: the second and third rows fold into the floor, and the middle row has three individual seats, each with ISOFIX points. Heated front and rear screens, parking sensors and dual-zone climate control were standard. In English-speaking markets the trims were Edge, Zetec and Titanium; continental Europe had Trend, Titanium and Titanium S. About 60% of buyers chose a Titanium.

The engine range grew steadily. The 2.2 TDCi with 129 kW (175 PS) arrived in March 2008, a 103 kW (140 PS) 2.0 TDCi with 159 g/km of CO2 followed in September 2008, and the 2010 facelift brought turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engines: a 1.6 with 118 kW (160 PS) and a six-speed manual, and a 2.0 with 149 kW (203 PS) and the PowerShift dual-clutch gearbox. For 2012 Ford added a 1.6 TDCi with 85 kW (115 PS), a 147 kW (200 PS) version of the 2.2 TDCi and a 176 kW (240 PS) 2.0 EcoBoost.

Second generation (CD539, 2015-2023)

The second S-Max was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2014 and production started in 2015, this time in Spain. It kept the 2,850 mm wheelbase but grew to about 4.80 m. Trims were Zetec, Titanium, Titanium Sport, ST-Line and the upmarket Vignale; in Germany the range ran Trend, Titanium, ST-Line and Vignale. Intelligent all-wheel drive was offered with the 110 kW (150 PS) and 132 kW (180 PS) diesels.

The facelift that arrived in October 2019 replaced the old diesels with 2.0 EcoBlue units of 110 kW (150 PS), 140 kW (190 PS) and, as a Bi-Turbo, 177 kW (240 PS); a 1.5 EcoBoost with 121 kW (165 PS) stayed on German price lists until October 2020. The 2.5 Hybrid arrived in February 2021, and after the diesels left the German price list in November 2021 it was the only S-Max on sale. Ford stopped building the S-Max and the Galaxy in April 2023, citing falling MPV demand and its move towards SUVs and electrified models.

Engines, transmissions and performance

The first S-Max used five- and six-speed manuals and a six-speed automatic, with PowerShift for the 2.0 EcoBoost. The second generation offered a six-speed manual, six- and eight-speed automatics, the six-speed PowerShift and, for the hybrid, a continuously variable transmission. The Mk1 2.5, a turbocharged engine shared with the Focus ST, reached 230 km/h.

The 2.5 Hybrid pairs an Atkinson-cycle 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 110 kW (150 PS) and an electric motor; the lithium-ion battery holds 1.1 kWh gross, so the car cannot be plugged in. ADAC lists a top speed of 182 km/h. Use our power converter if you need hp, PS and kW side by side.

Dimensions, space and boot

Key figures for the last S-Max, the 2.5 Hybrid seven-seater (ADAC data):

The first generation was 4,768 mm long, 1,884 mm wide and 1,658 mm tall on the same 2,850 mm wheelbase. ADAC measured 285 litres of luggage space in normal configuration and up to 2,000 litres to the roof, and the 2.5 weighed 1,681 kg. Five-seat versions of the hybrid were also listed from March 2022.

Fuel economy and running costs

The hybrid's official WLTP figure is 6.4 l/100 km (about 36.8 mpg US) with 146 g/km of CO2. The older diesels were thriftier on paper: the 2.0 TDCi 120 was rated at 129 g/km and about 57 mpg on the UK scale. At the other end, the Mk1 2.5 turbo was rated at 9.4 l/100 km and 224 g/km on the old NEDC cycle. Our fuel cost calculator turns these figures into a yearly bill.

Prices give an idea of the market position. In Germany the Mk1 2.5 Titanium cost EUR 33,900 in 2006. The facelifted Mk2 started at EUR 33,630 for the 1.5 EcoBoost Trend (2019), and the hybrid at EUR 43,400 (2021). ADAC lists a two-year vehicle warranty for the final cars.

Trims and equipment

The first generation already came with dual-zone climate control, heated front and rear screens and parking sensors as standard. The second generation added a more upmarket Vignale version with its own interior trim and a sporty ST-Line. Titanium and Vignale were the volume trims in many markets; the hybrid was offered in Trend, Titanium, ST-Line and Vignale specification in Germany.

Safety

Euro NCAP gave the first S-Max five stars in 2006. The second generation was tested with the Galaxy in 2015 and also received five stars: 87% for adult occupants, 87% for child occupants, 79% for pedestrians and 71% for safety assist. Other MPVs and their ratings are collected on our safety page.

Reliability and known issues

Hard data is limited. Carbuyer, citing the 2021 Driver Power owner survey, reports that the S-Max did not appear among the top 75 cars, that Ford finished 25th of 29 manufacturers, and that more than 21% of owners reported a fault in the first year. Carbuyer gives the car 3.5 out of 5 for reliability. We found no model-specific defect pattern in the sources used, so check the service history and any open recalls on the car you are looking at.

Rivals

The Volkswagen Sharan and SEAT Alhambra were built together in Portugal and had sliding rear doors, which the S-Max never offered. All four have gone out of production.

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