Ford S-MAX MPV vs Renault Grand Scenic MPV vs Vauxhall Zafira MPV Review & Comparisons

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Review Of The Ford S-MAX MPV 

The new Ford S-MAX MPV is a seven-seater that’s stylish, easy to drive, and comfortable. It’s easily one of the best options on the market if you need family-friendly practicality, but don’t want to sacrifice driving dynamics.

However, if you’re operating on a bit of a budget, you might need to stretch it a little. Compared to rivals, the S-MAX’s starting prices are a tad higher. Still, you get exactly what you pay for, which here includes reliability, safety and lots of standard kits.

OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our Ford S-MAX MPV review.

On The Road

For a pretty big MPV, the S-MAX is excellent to drive. It feels more like a hatchback. This is great news for anyone who hates how these big cars are often so cumbersome.

Its handling is neat, the car is composed at speed, and the ride quality is good. It’s just at home in tight city streets as it is on stretches of motorway. It’s also entertaining in the countryside. In short, it’s a supremely talented car that’s a pleasure behind the wheel.

Body lean is also well managed, although there is more than last time around. The suspension has been tweaked so that the car is more comfortable, and four-wheel-drive models are available.[vc_single_image image=”55798″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of its engines, an entry-level 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol might be the one to overlook. It just doesn’t have the power to cope with a Ford S-MAX on a full load. However, if you’ll be spending most of your time in the city, it should serve you well.

The 2.0-litre 237bhp petrol engine requires a lot of work to get the best out of it. And when you really put your foot down, it will feel short of breath. Moreover, it demands a princely initial sum, and it’s not cheap to run. It comes with the brands sound-cancellation tech, though, which means it’s super quiet.

The diesel engines are better suited to this car, with the 2.0-litre 148bhp being OSV’s favourite. It’s got enough power to cope with such a big car, and is good at overtaking on the motorway. For more punch, there is a 178bhp variant available, as well as a 207bhp variant.

The Ford S-MAX MPV Interior, Design & Build 

[vc_single_image image=”55799″ img_size=”article-image”]Ford seem dead set on taking on the German exec saloons this time around. To this end, they’ve massively improved the Ford Mondeo’s exterior and interior. On the outside, a swanky corporate grille is so ostentatious that it’s been compared to Aston Martin. And whereas the old Mondeo looked dowdy and mimicked a beaten-down office worker, the new one has been galvanised. It looks poised, elegant and even commanding.

Inside, the Ford’s cabin has much more luxury and quality than before. A soft-touch instrument panel is a highlight, as are the laser-cut leather quilted seats. There are also lots of handcrafted touches that elevate this car above its nearest rivals.The new car looks sporty on the outside, and carries this sporty theme indoors. A raised driving position is evidence of this, and it also boosts visibility. The dashboard is sporty, too, and has been revamped for 2017. The controls are easy to find and easy to use.

Overall, the materials used throughout the cabin are of a high quality. Soft-touch plastics abound, and fit and finish is better than the outgoing model. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and each trim is well-appointed. Indeed, most buyers will probably be happy with the entry-level model.

The new SYNC 3 infotainment system brings the S-MAX up to date. It’s a lot easier to use than the old SYNC 2, and is compatible with Apple CarPlay.

In terms of practicality, the S-MAX is useful. Five adult occupants can sit in comfort in the first two rows, and a third row is great for kids. The second and third rows can easily be slid forward and backwards for more boot space, too. However, this third row isn’t is accommodating or as big as some rivals.

ISOFIX mount points come as standard on the third row of seats, but airbags don’t. It’s easy to fold the seats, and you can fold them right down for a flat floor. Storage spaces are everywhere, and include huge door pockets and various cup holders.

The boot, meanwhile, measures 2,000-litres when all the rear seats have been folded. With all the seats up, the boot measures 285-litres. Fold the second row of seats, and it has a load capacity of 700-litres.

Equipment & Safety Of The Ford S-MAX MPV

Standard kit is good across the range, with the Zetec model kicking things off. It gets a DAB radio, rear and front parking sensors, twin-zone climate control, and Bluetooth. Basically, it gets what most families need and want, including the SYNC 3 infotainment system.

The Titanium bolsters things up with bigger alloys and automatic wipers and headlights. It also gets sat-nav, as well as cruise control. The range-topping Vignale trim, meanwhile, adds quilted leather, and swankier carpeting. It also gets electrically adjustable front seats, and is a very plush model.

This is a safe car. It was awarded 5/5 from Euro NCAP for its crash test, and customer satisfaction is high. Its standard safety kit includes electronic stability control and traction control, as well as airbags. Adaptive cruise control and blind spot warning are optional extras.

Costs Of The Ford S-MAX MPV

Prices for the new car start out from £26,500 and rise to £38,400. For more information on our leasing deals, check out our page here.

In terms of its running costs, the big S-MAX is competitive. The 2.0-litre TDCi diesels all return the exact same fuel economy of 56.5mpg. As such, they’re not quite as frugal as some rivals. Yearly tax, meanwhile, is also the same for all power guises – £140.

The petrol engines benefit from advanced tech, and they’re cleaner than ever. If you add four-wheel-drive or the automatic gearbox you will spend a bit more to stay on the road. But the economy is overall good, and you should be able to average returns around the 40mpg mark.

Pros and Cons Of The Ford S-MAX MPV

Pros:

Versatile Seating Arrangement

It’s got seven seats, and the last two roles can be folded and slid around for more space with ease.

Fun To Drive

The S-MAX is easily the most engaging and fun-to-drive car in this class. It handles more like a hatchback than a big MPV.

Stylish

It looks slick, and is further evidence of how sophisticated MPV design language has become over the years.

Cons:

Expensive

Compared to rivals, the S-MAX MPV isn’t cheap.

Expensive Options

Add the right amount of options, and the price could tip £40,000. Moreover, you could then find yourself paying almost £500 in tax over five years.

Ford S-MAX MPV vs Renault Grand Scenic MPV vs Vauxhall Zafira MPV

Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2017 Ford S-MAX MPV review.

Ford S-MAX MPV vs Renault Grand Scenic MPV

The new Renault Grand Scenic MPV is a spacious, practical and affordable family car. It’s also got as much style as the Ford, and represents a strong alternative.

The S-MAX is ultimately better to drive than the Grand Scenic – but it only just shades it. The Renault is competent behind the wheel, and its overall driving dynamics really surprised OSV. It’s got a confidence about it that’s both breathtaking and reassuring.[vc_single_image image=”55800″ img_size=”article-image”]It will lean in bends like all MPVs do if you approach corners at pace. Moreover, some of the diesels are a bit gruff and destroy the ambience a little. Moreover, the large 20” alloys are not so adept at coping with rougher surfaces. It’s niggles like this which make the Ford better to drive.

In terms of the engines. we like the 1.5-litre dCi 130 diesel engine. Pair it up with a manual transmission, and it can do 0-62 in 11.4 seconds. It’s more relaxing than the other diesels, and you don’t need to work it too hard.

For more pace, the 158bhp diesel is a better option. It can get you from rest to 62mph in 10.7 seconds, and is paired up with an automatic gearbox.

The turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine isn’t expected to sell too well, and the 113bhp version is slow. In fact, it’s the slowest in the range, and takes 13.0 seconds to do the 0-62 sprint. The 128bhp is faster, but the diesels have more oomph.

There is also what Renault call a “mild hybrid” engine available, which is the cheapest to run. It doesn’t come with an electric motor, but relies on your brakes excess energy to recharge its battery. It can return fuel economy of 80mpg, and is free to tax.

The diesels are also relatively cheap to run, although the bigger 158bhp is only good for 60mpg. That’s not too bad, and emissions stand at 122g/km of CO2, which is competitive.

Inside, the cabin is smart and comfortable. It’s well insulated from exterior noises, and there’s lots of space. A huge glass area means the interior feels light and airy, and it also boosts visibility.

The dash has essentially been lifted from the Megane. The entry level models miss out on a classy R-Link 2 touchscreen, which is feature-heavy. However, standard kit is good, and includes 20” alloys – something Renault are making a lot of noise about.

Practicality is 5/5. Like the Ford, it comes with seven seats, with the third row folding totally flat into your boot floor. Five adults can sit comfortably, but the extra two seats are for kids only.

Things are a bit tight in the rear, and a one-touch seat-folding system isn’t available with entry-level models. Moreover, the door opening is a bit of an awkward shape, and access is a bit tricky. The boot, meanwhile, measures 595-litre with five seats up.

Price:

Ford – £26,500 – £38,400
Renault – £23,500 – £32,600

Ford S-MAX MPV vs Vauxhall Zafira MPV

[vc_single_image image=”55801″ img_size=”article-image”]The new Vauxhall Zafira MPV is a fairly easy-to-drive seven-seater that looks good and is cheap to run.

Like the Renault, this Vauxhall isn’t as much fun as the S-MAX. It still handles well, though, and has a good range of engines. It’s safe and secure enough on the road, and always feels predictable. There isn’t as much body lean as you might expect when rushing into bends, and there’s plenty of grip.

On twister roads, things get a bit bouncy, but in the main, it’s composed.A turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine could be the surprise package. While diesels will be more popular, this unit can do 0-62 in 9.9 seconds, and makes overtaking a cinch. It replaces the old, inefficient 1.8-litre petrol engine, and is worth a look if you’re a low-mileage driver.

High-mileage drivers will probably want to stick to the diesels. A 1.6-litre engine is strong and smooth, and can do 0-62 in 10.4 seconds. Once it gets going, it really comes into its own and feels relaxed.

The 2.0-litre 168bhp is a smarter choice, though, if you’ll be using all seven seats often. It’s got more power, and can get you from rest to 62mph in 9.1 seconds.

Running costs will be pretty low across the board. The 1.6-litre diesel engine is good for 62.8mpg fuel economy, and costs £30 a year to tax. The bigger 2.0-litre diesel returns 57.7mpg. The petrol engine, meanwhile, should be just fine for low-mileage drivers, and returns 42.2mpg.

Inside, the Zafira’s cabin is comfortable and spacious. Button clutter was a problem last time around, but the dashboard has now been cleaned up. As such, the user experience is now much better.

The steering wheel and driver’s seat adjust in lots of ways, while each model gets a new 7” infotainment touchscreen. Despite this, Vauxhall have decided to keep physical buttons of the ventilation and heating. We like this – it just makes life easier.

Because the car is so big, interior space is good. And because rear and front parking sensors are standard across the range, it’s also not too tricky to park. Two extra seats are available, but they’re really just for children.

All seats offer a good amount of legroom, with the exception of the middle seat in the second row. It’s just too narrow. All seats in the second row can be slid backwards and forwards for more boot space, which measures 710-litres when five seats are up.

Price:

Vauxhall – £19,500 – £30,500

Verdict Of Our 2017 Ford S-MAX MPV Review

If you want an MPV that’s fun to drive, you don’t need to look beyond this Ford. It’s been entertaining families on the road for a decade now, and is as engaging as ever. It’s got seven seats, but drives like a sleek saloon. It’s also comfortable, benefits from advanced tech, and looks great.

It is more expensive than rivals, and not the cheapest to run. But if you’ve got the budget for it, the reliable new Ford S-MAX MPV is a choice to put a smile on your face.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[vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1464089844166{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1494257310211{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]

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