User Reviews Ford S-Max

= 86%* = 97 km/u = 17%

On paper and using data from the Ford brochure this 1.8 TDCI model is right on the UK legal limit for my van. However overall my 1.8 TDCI S-Max performs really well whilst towing, & we have just returned from a two week tour of the Lake district & Scottish highlands towing our Bailey Pageant Bretagne, which is a reasonably large 6 berth single axle van. Motorway cruising is fine with 6th gear achieveable easily on the flat and most gentle hills. The fuel consumption towing was 27 MPG, when not towing I can get the consumption as low as 52 MPG. The car has a 70 litre fuel tank so this gives it a great range on a tankfull, although I find that my gauge is not linear, meaning that the first 1/4 tank seems to go very quickly while the remaining 3/4 lasts a lot longer. My S-Max has the electric park brake which also includes the 'hill start' function which is great. My only critisism with this car is that the engine management system has a 'flat spot' when initially pulling away before power comes in too harshly. Even when not towing the car has really low power when pulling away in 1st gear and especially when pulling out of a junction or a roundabout, therefore when towing the issue is exacibated to the point that you have to use high engine rpm and slip the clutch to get the outfit moving. Incidently the 2.0 TDCI version does not have the same issue. (8 valve engine on 1.8 versus 16 valve on 2.0 means more air flow into the engine at low rpm) I also find that when manouvering with the car the clutch does overheat quickly causing nasty clutch smells. The reverse gear does not have a good ratio for easy use, again it is necessary to slip the clutch to achieve a smooth reverse manouvre. The S-Max standard mirrors are OK for use when towing, it's a wide car, so the mirrors are a lot further out already as opposed to a normal estate car. My car also has the Ford accessory removable tow bar & 13 pin connector which only took me a morning to fit to the car while lying on my back in the driveway, although you will need help from a Ford garage to configure the cars 'can-bus' electrics to make the trailer lights work. It's well worthwhile though as it looks and is a professional bit of kit unlike some of the aftermarket ones I have seen recently. The car has plenty of space in the rear, my two kids (big 11 & 8 Y/O's) had all the room they needed, the two rearmost seats fold down to give a large boot area, where we chucked the porch & main awnings, two kids bikes, wellies, coats, large tool box etc. Overall I would say that if you want an S-Max & have a big van try to afford the 2.0 TDCI for power, but the 1.8 TDCI is a good compromise, and gives better MPG and better value for money. Hope you find this helpful !

= 80%* = 95 km/u = 16%

I also experienced a 'flat spot' and took the car into my local dealer who said it was on a re-call and the problem was rectified. Since then there hasn't been any problem and the car and caravan perform very well together. Hope that this is of help.

= 78%* = 97 km/u = 16%

I have just returned from a two week holiday to cornwall from doncaster i after say the smax was a dream to drive and tow even with 3 adults and 3 kids and with the caravan on the back doing 60 mph we still got 39 mpg which i thought was really good , hills were no problem at all never at to drop down a gear once i would rate this car 9 out of 10 i say that becuase the clutch could be better when pulling away its fine when you get use to it but you after give it more revs than usual but its miles better than the scenic i had before its the best mpv tow car i have had also i get 52 mpg solo so just buy one it looks great to , hope this helps

= 81%* = 97 km/u = 16%

Just back in Shropshire after first long trip out(to Lowestoft) averaged about 28 mpg but talk about pulling power Don't bother with the 2 litre version unless you are pulling anthing a lot bigger and heavier this is the best tow car I have had

= 86%* = 99 km/u = 19%

I have a Knaus Sudwinf 550 KU 1255kg the car is great.
Infact you have to remember the van is on the back, thinking of getting a Ford Kuga any help?

= 86%* = 99 km/u = 19%

I have a Knaus Sudwind 550 KU 1255kg (MAx 1500kg)the car is great.
Infact you have to remember the van is on the back, thinking of getting a Ford Kuga any help?

= 86%* = 104 km/u = 18%

Tows the avondale without any problems, except keeping the speed down! averages 38MPG towing 46 MPG solo.

= 94%* = 101 km/u = 18%

Although towing is at around 93% fully laden the S MAX tows this van like a dream. very stable on country roads and motorways. I would recomend this car for towing or solo.

= 90%* = 101 km/u = 18%

This rig is the ticket for towing.What can i say.Its the dogs.

= 87%* = 100 km/u = 18%

Changed to the S-Max from Audi A4 Avant and tows our S6 Pageant loads better. Clutch on Audi was suspect and stability poor, S-max tows like a dream, very stable, enough power, plus loads of room for stuff. Only thing is slight tendency to spin front wheels easily, any chance of a 4 wheel drive version Ford, this would be perfect!

= 94%* = 101 km/u = 18%

i cant believe how stable this outfit is especially on motor ways. seems to get some strange looks from other caravaners but i put that down to them being power crazy in their 4x4 s and as long as you dont go to far off the beaten track the car performs excellent.

= 81%* = 102 km/u = 19%

I have towed with the 'S Max' for almost 3 years ,very good towcar, no problem to stay in 6th gear on motorway,very stable, has been reliable. BUT I would not recommend one as it does not have a spare wheel,ONLY a repair rubber solution and small compressor to pump up a flat tyre, but due to the weight of the vehicle a tyre wall is destroyed after 20 mtrs, hence you have to call a recovery vehicle. I have now purchased a spare but it is so big it takes up a lot of boot space and it can't be anchored down safely .
Have a puncture and you could end up sitting by the roadside for 2 hours waiting recovery!??

= 87%* = 101 km/u = 19%

I have towed with the smax now for three years i find the car tows very well and the van is always stable ,fuel is around 33mpg when towing and 45mpg solo.

= 92%* = 100 km/u = 18%

I have just returned from towing my Elddis over a 700mile round trip with absolute joy. The car performs 1st class and even achieved an average of 29MPG. No problems on motorways or country lanes , it coped with everything I asked of it.

= 72%* = 105 km/u = 20%

im new to the caravaning game my first car the fiat bravo 150t did not feel safe on the front of my avondale dart 545 i thought it was just my inexperience the feel of the caravan wondering around on the back sometimes felt like i wasnt incontrol so i changeed my car to a ford smax after alot of research and what a machine that is fully stable and incontrol of the van makes me want to go more now no problem on any roads now the car bosses the van and not the other way around well recomended.

= 91%* = 102 km/u = 18%

What a great towcar, we bought the Lunar for its weight versus the other marques. The S-Max tows like a dream, we have towed from Fife in Scotland to Devon, not an issue. Although i'm constantly asked whether it's safe! What is it about the 4x4 drivers, they seem to think we are under-powered! I think they can't believe what this car can do!

= 82%* = 103 km/u = 19%

Having done our reserch ref S-Max and van, we hooked up for the 1st time in early may 2010 on a 600 mile round trip and the caravan did not move an inch behind car, it tows like a dream ! !

= 65%* = 104 km/u = 40%

The Ford S-max is so good that I sometimes don't even realise I am towing a caravan at all. I have experienced no problems whatsoever with this match of car and caravan. However, we went for a Witter towbar fitted by the local dealer instead of the factory fitted one and this can be a slight problem because of the rear parking sensors. Also, the towbar itself is very close to the bumper so care has to be taken when unhitching the caravan.

= 73%* = 103 km/u = 38%

The Ford S Max really is terrific. Very stable, very smooth, loads of power and pull, even in 5th and 6th gears (mine is a manual) but generally stop at 5th gear. and it manages 30mpg. Like somebody else said you can forget the caravan is there.

= 78%* = 114 km/u = 25%

sMax is a lovely drive and very smooth (especially with the 2.2. tdci). Very relaxed ride with Caravan. Quite a wide turning circle. However I have been having problems with the twoing electrics (ford kit fitted) which I am in process of getting resolved. CAN BUss config problem - keeps loosing it and stoping working! Other than this a VERY comfortable relaxed tow!

= 83%* = 112 km/u = 24%

Very, very impressed with the towing experiences with this combination. Had not towed a caravan for over 15 years and had some trepidation when we purchased the Swift last September. However, we need not have worried as in the fifteen trips we have so far made, the S-Max has towed perfectly, cruising at 60mph and returning >30mpg.
As for the car itself, we would recommend not fitting a fixed towbar in combo with reversing sensors (its constant beeping will drive you crazy!) We have had a problem with sticking disk brake (fixed by Ford with no quibble) and the dash control centre sometimes loses connection with the stereo, but all things considered, I would recommend the S-Max and Swift Charisma 540 outfit.

= 78%* = 114 km/u = 25%

Towing electrics sorted and not recurred. Many trips now wit the caravan and very stable, relaxed, plenty of low down power. Accelerates quickly and cruises effortlessly at 70. Most motorway inclines managed in 6th every at 60mph. Hugely comfortable, versatile and comfortable car with plenty of room for passengerrs and luggage. Agree about having removable towbar ... thankfully I did, but sensors pick up towbar when not hitched.

= 89%* = 120 km/u = 16%

Having taken the unit out for the first time this Easter I can only say good things, the motorway run as well as the hill climbs to our CL were effortless. Allthough a long unit we were able to negotiate all obsticles before us.

= 84%* = 122 km/u = 17%

We have an 08 s-max 2.5T petrol.
It has been superchipped using blufin and mpg has improved by average 2.2mpg (over 4000 miles with the wife driving not towing)
On motorways sit in 6th gear all day up and down hill and have to hold myself back as would easily push past sensible speeds.
On A roads again cannot be acussed of holding up traffic and always feels surefooted and safe all in all one of the best towcars i have driven and nearly as good as my old bmw 530d touring.

* Calculated weight ratio according to the British Towing Code (loaded weight caravan / kerb weight car)