Ford S-MAX MPV pictures

The Ford S-MAX manages to combine the space and practicality you'd expect of a family car with driver enjoyment.

You can free up more than 2,000 litres of boot space when all of the rear seats are removed or folded flat.

Fuel economy for the 2.0-litre diesel models of the S-MAX is good but some rivals manage better.

The interior of the S-MAX was updated relatively recently but it remains airy and the dashboard has a sporty feel.

Even the entry-level S-MAX, called the Zetec, comes with most of the standard equipment buyers will want.

The front five people seated in an S-MAX will be comfortable, but the sixth and seventh seats are best reserved for children.

If you'll regularly use the rear two seats, it's definitely worth considering the C4 Grand Picasso as it offers more room.

Folding all the seats flat leaves you with plenty of room for lots of luggage or large, bulky items.

Four-wheel drive will reduce the car's economy and efficiency but it will give you peace of mind when the weather gets bad.

It's still possible to fit shopping bags and a folded up buggy in the boot of the car with all the seats in place.

Buttons in the boot of the car allow you fold down the seats remotely.

With all seats in place and filled to the roof, the boot can hold 285 litres. 

Folding the rear two seats frees up an impressive 700 litres of space in the boot.

Four-wheel drive systems can sometimes impinge on boot space but that's not the case with the S-MAX.

The Ford S-MAX is more entertaining than most rivals on twisty B-roads.