Another year, another victory for the S-max – Ford’s cross between the desirable and the practical – which notches up a ninth BusinessCar Award. That total includes our 2007 Car of the Year prize, as well as what now numbers eight class victories.
The S-max’s charm, and something that makes it unique in the large MPV segment, is that it doesn’t look like a large MPV. The lower, curvier stance marks it out against rivals including its Galaxy sibling, as well as the likes of VW’s Sharan and the Seat Alhambra.
Should it win again next year, the task of collecting that 10th award will be handed to a new S-max. The second-generation car arrives this summer, with Ford claiming big improvements in interior sophistication and practicality, as well as more efficient engines, including three variants of the 2.0-litre diesel.
Certainly the new engines will cure the S-max’s only current Achilles heel: the emissions don’t drop below 139g/km, and although Ford hasn’t yet confirmed figures for the new model, they can be expected to be reduced significantly. After all, the current model, despite or maybe because of its success, hasn’t had a refresh since late 2009
