Ford is widely known for its history in producing some of the best family MPVs. It is no wonder that the new 2016 Ford S-Max is eagerly anticipated by many enthusiasts.
In keeping with its excellent tradition and honoring this reputation, the new model is not going to disappoint. Courtesy of its chiseled looks, the Ford S-Max will give other models in this segment a run for their money despite them being priced slightly cheaper and having more cabin space. Also, its clever interior packaging, solid build and easy handling is sure to win over many buyers.
The designers of the S-Max have blended in family practicability and excellent handling resulting in one of the most pleasant family haulers in the market.
2016 Ford S-Max Exterior
The 2016 Ford S-Max exterior profile will be extensively redesigned. To start with, the model is based on a new platform. It will ride on the Ford’s new CD4 platform which the likes of Mondeo, Edge and Fusion ride on. Its looks fall in line with the automaker’s Kinetic design language which first debuted in 2011 on the Evos concept.
At the front, the model follows other Ford models in getting rid of the large upper and lower air vents replacing them with lower mounted vents. The new front looks nosy with chromed grille; the Ford logo is mounted at the top. The vehicle is flanked by narrow LED headlights which result in an aggressive look.
At the rear, the vehicle features a redesigned tailgate flanked by redesigned taillights which feature new patterns. The new models feature subtle flared wheel arches as opposed to blisters on the outgoing models. 17-inch alloy wheels are offered as standard. Titanium trim adds LED DRLs while the Titanium Sport trim adds 18-ich wheels and a fine rear spoiler which makes it more athletic.
2016 Ford S-Max Interior
The 2016 Ford S-Max will be offered in three trims which are the base Zetec, Titanium and the top Titanium Sport.
The cabin will be roomier providing ample passenger and cargo space. Its dash board looks clean and uncluttered courtesy of the new SYNC2 infotainment system which will be standard on all trims. There is also a new one-touch hand brake in place of the previous airline-style joystick. While the front and second row seats offer plenty of legroom, the rear row is a bit constrained and is only suitable for kids.
The cabin is highly practical and Ford claims there are 32 combinations of cargo and passengers. With all seats up, the vehicle has 285 liters of cargo space. The space expands to 965 liters with third row seats folded and 2,020 liters with both the second and third row seats folded. The cabin will accommodate 7 passengers, i.e. 2 in front including the driver, 3 on the second row and 2 on the third row. The vehicle also comes with keyless entry and ignition as well as DAB radio.
Titanium trim adds satellite navigation and USB connectivity while the top trim features heated front seats. Customers can opt for the Titanium X package which adds electrically adjustable leather seats and LED headlights for an extra 2,000 pounds.
The automaker has given safety matters careful consideration; the model has even received five star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. The vehicle comes with features such as stability and traction control, enhanced airbags and adjustable speed limiter to name just but a few.
Engine Specs and Performance
The Ford S- Max comes with an array of engines. The first engine is a 1.5 L, 4-cylinder unit good for 159 hp and 117 lb-ft of torque. The engine delivers a fuel economy of 36.2 mpg on combined drives.
The second engine is a 2.0 L, 4-cylider Duratorq unit rated at 118 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. It returns 47 mpg on combined drives. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. This engine is also tuned to produce 148 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It has a combined fuel economy of 47 mpg. This engine has an option for a 6-speed automatic DSG transmission system. The automatic models return 43.5 mpg on combined drives.
The vehicle will also feature a 2.0 L, 4-cylinder Duratorq TDCi unit capable of 178 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine has a combined fuel economy of 47 mpg and 43.5 mpg for manual and automatic models respectively. The Titanium Sport trim will be equipped with either a gasoline or diesel engine.
The gasoline engine is a 2.0 L twin-turbocharged, 4-cylinder unit good for 238 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque. It returns 29.7 mpg on combined drives. The diesel unit is a 2.0 L, 4-cylinder twin-turbocharged duratorq unit capable of producing 207 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. It has a combined fuel economy of 42.7 mpg. The engines will be mated with either the 6-speed manual or automatic transmission system.
All engines are offered in front wheel drive mode.
Price and release date
The new Ford S-Max will be availed soon during this first quarter of 2016. Though Ford has not yet announced official prices for the model, we understand that in the UK, the base model will have a starting price of around $ 36,000 which will go up to $ 52,000 for top trim models. American versions will be around $ 5,000 cheaper.
Competition
The second generation Ford S-Max will face major rivalry from the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. The vehicle will also go head to head with the likes of Toyota Sienna and Renault Grand Scenic.
