If you have almost RM200k to spare, and the family need a safe people mover, the Exora is not your style and standard, with Japanese Mazda 5 felt dated, and the beautiful Citroen C4 Picasso has not make its way here yet, then the Ford S-Max is your only choice. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre Ecoboost engine with 237hp/350Nm on tap, this is one energetic MPV. The 6-speed dual clutch powershift is standard and it has a total of 9-airbag, NCAP 5-star rating, to keep everyone in the safe cell in case of any unforeseen emergency should happen.
Seating arrangement is an important factor when choosing an MPV, and the S-MAX comes with 8-way adjustable power seats for the driver and passenger. The third row seats could be folded flat and second row slides back and forth to improve the comfort when the family size is small.
The meter cluster is nice, with a Ford Convers+ colour display in the middle, in addition to displaying the car status, it is connected to the Sony audio system. It will be good if Ford made the speedometer pointing south, similar to the rpm meter. The existing display is just not in sync. Moving the fuel and temperature gauges to the digital display will make room for this. Red needle is always better than blue which is used in the Kuga and Fiesta.
Middle console is elegantly designed where the aircraft-styled parking brake make it stand out from the crowd. Dual zone climate control is standard. Did I mention the Sony audio system is connected to 9 speakers? One could have a party in the S-MAX. Rain sensor with auto wiper is a feature to appreciate if it worked well. The bi-xenon headlights, LED rear lights and daytime running lights further make this car looks incredibly sexy for a family man. The puddle light mounted on the wing mirrors provide further illumination before entry and exit of the car, ensuring safety from the surrounding of the car. The fabric seat is thoughtful in the S-MAX as it is more comfortable for daily usage and make it easier to maintain comparing to leather. So, if you do not want anything big as Estima, the S-MAX make a good choice in the mid-MPV segment. Ford provides 5-year warranty for peace of mind ownership!
