Ford S-MAX

S-MAX is the people carrier with a sporty edge. It's designed to stand out from the crowd with sharp styling, tight handling and powerful engines. It's also very practical and flexible thanks to seven seats and a fold-flat load area. However, if you're not taken by the sports-inspired looks and the surprisingly good drive isn't a priority, there are more conventional people carriers such as Ford's own Galaxy.

LX, TDCI

There are three trim levels: LX, Zetec and Titanium. LX has 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, heated electrically-adjustable door mirrors, trip computer, air conditioning, seven fold-flat seats, electric front windows, remote central locking, trip computer, ABS, 'Quicklclear' heated front windscreen and alarm. Zetec adds different 16-inch alloys, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, dual-zone climate control, electric rear windows and body-coloured door handles and grille. Range-topping Titanium adds 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake grip, electrically-adjustable driver's seat, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, cruise control, metal-finish dash, six-CD autochanger and front and rear parking sensors. A further Titanium X pack can be specified which adds full leather trim, adaptive front lighting (which moves with the steering) and a full-length glass roof. Key optional extras include heated and cooled front seats, adaptive cruise control (which uses a radar to sense traffic ahead and maintain a specified distance) and bright orange exterior detailing.

2.5