What alternatives are there to the Ford S-Max?

What alternatives are there to the Ford S-Max? We want to trade ours in. We want a five-seater with the option of easily converting to a seven-seater when needed.

R Maguire (Cork)

Jul 2014 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi Reg,

Well, there are a couple of good options around although few of them offer quite as much space as the S-Max. The Citroen C4 Picasso, Volkswagen Touran and Toyota Verso are all smaller than the Ford, but offer plenty of space for five, with room for seven at a pinch. Or you could try the always-excellent SEAT Alhambra (sliding doors are handy in tight car parks) or even the (not very common) Mazda5.

If none of those tickle your fancy, and if you’re looking more for a proper five-seater with jump seats for another two, allow me to pull out of the hat my always-ready answer to seven-seater conundrums - a Mercedes E-Class Estate with those clever folding seats in the boot.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe