28 Feb 07
Because there's no doubt that the S-Max has redefined the MPV. Almost everyone I've shown it to does a double-take, the reaction going something like this: 'Oh, yeah, an MPV... Hang on, that actually looks really cool.'
As someone who's spent a number of years in 'lifestyle' journalism, I have a few friends who are designers or have design backgrounds - and they all really like the S-Max's lines, the way the curve of the roof slopes down at the rear, the robust solidity of its wide track and lowish centre of gravity. OK, it's no Aston, but I still catch myself looking at its lines admiringly, before realising that it's an MPV and shaking my head in amazement.
So can the S-Max work in the US? There are rumours that Ford is considering selling it across the pond, but will American carbuyers, who seem for the most part not to care what their vehicles look like, be able to see why it's the reigning European Car of the Year? I'll be monitoring the subject with interest.
Meanwhile, I've also been driving other UK-market MPVs armed with a new perspective. I'm forced to say that not one of them can live us to the S-Max's combination of style, practicality and sheer driving enjoyment.
For example, I was able to get behind the wheel of the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso recently and, while it is certainly stylish-looking, it's nowhere near as good a driving machine as the S-Max. And, although it's rather an unfair comparison as the cars aren't exactly like-for-like, test driving Seat's Altea XL (which isn't a bad car at all) brought home to me once more how good the S-Max is on the road.
