126 By the Dart • Motoring
a distinctive persona. Add crouched ready-for action body styling and the appeal of the Giulietta becomes quite compelling. There are petrol and diesel engines with outputs spanning 120hp - 240 hp and one of the most popular is the 1.6 litre diesel fitted to my recent test model, the Giulietta Business edition, priced at £19,080. offering 120 hp, a 0-60 mph time of 10 seconds and a top speed of 121 mph, this model delivers decent performance with low running costs. The fuel figure is 74.3 mpg combined and emissions are a tax-free 99g/km, making it attractive to business users, especially as standard kit also includes Bluetooth with voice recognition, uconnect touchscreen infortainmemt centre with sat-nav, audio streaming, usB and sD reader. You also get cruise control, dual-zone climate
control, front and rear parking sensors, 16-inch alloys and electric lumbar support on the driver’s seat.
WINS YOU OVER WITH
ITS SHEER VISUAL KUDOS AND ITS IMPRESSIVE CREDENTIALS AS A
SPORTY DRIVER’S CAR.
Another feature is the Alfa DnA switch. You can alter driving modes to Dynamic (more sporty), natural (economy) and All-weather (more grippy). even in natural, the Giulietta feels quick and responsive and you immediately notice it has better composure on the corners than its rivals and, while the suspension setting is firmer, it still delivers acceptable ride comfort. The interior styling is smart, the dashboard dominated by big twin dials. oddment stowage around the cabin is sparse and the door bins are ultra slim
but the glove box is much larger than most. seating is more supportive in this latest model and while the swooping roofline slightly reduces rear headroom, it is still adequate. The 350 litre boot is a tad larger than that of a Focus and the split-fold rear seats boost the space though the seats don’t drop fully flat. Though it has a few cabin shortfalls, the Giulietta
wins you over with its sheer visual kudos and its impressive credentials as a sporty driver’s car.
FORD S-MAX Titanium
My Titanium test model had a wealth of extra kit including sat-nav and, in 2.0 litre diesel form, costs £28,095. The 148 hp engine is good for 0-60 mph in 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 123 mph. Fuel economy is 56.4 mpg combined, very good but well short of that of the rival Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. But it is not all about economy. The driving
There are plenty of mid-sized family MPVs available and most have individual plus points but the big question is which one presents itself as the best all-rounder. one model which has outstanding credentials is the
Ford s-Max, which in its latest guise is arguably the smartest looking. It also comes in three trim levels, all well equipped, offers a choice of four diesel and two petrol engines, manual or auto gearboxes and its revised cabin has a more upmarket feel than main rivals. only significant downside to the
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE IS WHERE THE S-MAX SCORES
s-Max CV is that it is not the cheapest to buy, nor the most fuel-efficient in the sector, though it does atone with superior driving dynamics. s-Max prices start at £21,145 and even entry level cars get Ford’s new sYnC 2 infotainment system,17- inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, keyless entry and push-button start and a DAB radio.
experience is where the s-Max scores , for despite its bulk it does have a light, agile feel and its suspension set-up and lower centre of gravity means it rides and handles better than most 7-seater MPVs. It also wins points for its interior with smart styling, higher quality trim materials and clever use of space. There are three individual seats in the middle row, and a pair of child-size ones in the back. even with the rear seats in use, there is still 285 litres of load space. There are also lots of oddment stowage places spread around the car. Fold the rear seats and you get 965 litres of space and drop the middle seats and you get a van-like 2,020 litres.
This latest s-Max, longer and wider then the
previous model, has a more handsome, more classy appearance mainly due to a heavily revised front end styling and its premium-look cabin. Add pleasing driving dynamics to the package and its challenge to be the family MPV pack leader is compelling.
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