Ford S-Max versus Toyota Verso Corolla

TingTong

Hi,

I ordered a 2.0lt Ford S-Max back in May but was not guaranteed delivery due to a strike in the factory. So on the strength of that we went ahead and ordered a 2.0lt Toyota Verso Corolla with guaranteed delivery for the first week in September.

It now turns out that the Ford will definitely be delivered in the first week of October. My dilemma is which one to now go for. There is only 2k in the difference between the two, the Ford being the more expensive. In anyone's opinion, which is the better car? and why?

Regards

bazz26

S-Max is probably a bit roomier than the Verso and more of a driver's car but the S-Max is not 7 years old and looks a bit dated especially on the inside. It's being replaced by an all new model at the end of the year.

Really depends on what you value more.

happywithlife

Interested in replies here too as am buying (2nd hand) and it's a toss between these two

I find the smax has a bigger boot and the centre seats look roomier (have only visually seen the cars yet -am going back for test drive at weekend). However it's higher tax and the back row seats are practically on the floor - you'd be bending your knees to your nose to sit on them. Might be ok for younger child on a temporary basis but defintely couldn't put my teenage nephew in it

Verso has a slightly smaller boot but other than that seems good. Didn't notice the back seats being as lie as the smax but will have a more detailed look the next day

stimpson

I've had a Verso from new for the past 3 years and 55000km and it's never missed a beat. Not hugely exciting, but you don't buy an MPV for excitement.

The glass roof gives it a sense of space, especially if you have 3 kids in the back. The Toyota will have better residuals too. When I bought mine it was the safest car in it's class, with all safety kit coming as standard. We looked at changing a few months back, but couldn't find anything that ticked the boxes as well as the Verso so have put it off until next year when our youngest won't need a buggy.

The third row in either cars is really only suitable for kids (although I have sat in mine for a 100km drive and survived).

If you go for the Verso get the plastic boot protector - best €50 I've spent in ages.

happywithlife

TingTong did you decide?
I test drove both today. Smax is far bigger than the verso - way bigger boot and far far roomier inside but I thought the verso was smoother to drive although it did Konk out a few times at the start on me
What's the smax like in terms of reliability and is it expensive re servicing etc? Anyone have any feedback?

Frankie Lee

The 1.8tdci S-Max can be troublesome and large repair bills are common in my experience. They are a nice car to drive for a car of its size.

Casati

S-max is well worth 2k more than the Verso as its much larger, I guess it must be base model S-Max and Top Spec Verso?

ml100

Got a new zetec s-max in May, happy with it so far, bigger than a verso, 3 isofix seats in the 2nd row, 3rd row only for kids, same as the 3rd row in the verso.
Reversing camera on the verso is handy, smax only comes with sensors, sat nav is only ok, fitted as standard on the 2014 zetec, I wouldn't have paid 2k for it.

kwazar

I'm looking for a second hand s-max at the moment. I don't have huge budget >18000 but I want to get Titanium spec 2l 1140 PS engine. There is not much choice of 2009-2010 cars available. All seem to have over 100.000m on the clock. The question is should they be avoided or is the engine capable of running with no issues major for another 100k? See this for example:
carzone /search/Ford/S-Max/2.0-TDCI/62414059470125230/advert?channel=CARS