Ford has had a heck of a year, all things considered. With a financial whirlwind blowing across the country, Ford simply got on with the job of producing sensible, well-designed and competitive cars.

Ka, Fiesta and Focus thrived, and the company sold more cars through the Government’s scrappage scheme than any other manufacturer – 44,444, strangely enough, at the last count.

Now the company has turned its attention to its people-carriers, giving C-MAX, S-MAX and Galaxy a timely refresh. Here we look at the S-MAX, a rather unusual model which has proved a surprise hit.

While Galaxy (the full-blown people-carrier) and C-MAX (the compact people-carrier) were predictably successful, the S-MAX raised a few eyebrows when it appeared.

It was – and remains – a car without rivals. Ford’s Otley-born marketing director marketing director Mark Simpson calls it (with tongue in cheek) a seven-seater coupe.

You can see what he means, though; it is arguably the most sporty people-carrier on the market, riding and handling more like a sports car than a van.

Mark was back in God’s own county last week to show off the relaunched S-MAX at a media driving day in Leeds.

S-MAX, which was European Car of the Year in 2007, sold more than 9,300 models last year, and most were the premium-equipped Titanium version.

It has a new cabin, improved petrol engine and new styling touches designed to give this classy car a lift. It also has a new fold-flat seating system and a panorama sunroof. So far, so good.

Ford calls it a whitespace vehicle, which is marketing speak for saying that it doesn’t have a direct rival. There is nothing else quite like it on the road, which is rare for a mass-market manufacturer like Ford.

The most impressive feature of the S-MAX is its driveability. Ford’s emphasis in recent years has been on creating engaging cars which are good to drive, a move which sets it apart from some of its price-conscious rivals.

The list of exterior changes is a short one, starting with a more sculptured bonnet, new Focus-style grille and front bumper, and finishing with a restyled tailgate and LED tail lights.

On the inside, the changes are a little more obvious, with Ford’s fold-flat seating system now a standard feature. High-spec models gain a new overhead console complete with sunglasses holder and a neat little mirror for watching the children in the rear seats.

Those same models also get a one-piece panoramic roof with a powered blind, while a new range of different colour trims and cabin materials plus a premium sound system can be selected from the options list.

Ford has also said that the car’s ride has been tweaked slightly, and that’s evident on a wide variety of roads sampled in the firm’s new Ecoboost variant.

Eco-what? Despite being a car sold almost exclusively with diesel engines, Ford is developing a range of more economical and ‘greener’ petrol engines. These aren’t just for Europe, as in the USA – the land of the petrol engine – they’ve been positioned as a big step forward in terms of economy and performance.

And so it is with the S-MAX. In 2.0-litre Ecoboost trim, the engine delivers 203 horsepower yet outputs only 189g/km CO2 – 19 per cent less than the 2.3 petrol unit it replaces – and a welcome 34.8mpg on the combined cycle.

On the road, this performance translates into a smooth, refined, willing and surprisingly quiet experience. This engine demonstrates great smoothness and does much to highlight the S-MAX’s potential when driven briskly.

And for the all-important chauffeur market, such high levels of refinement often warrant a petrol model over the diesel. You can expect to see smaller capacity Ecoboost motors in the near future as Ford makes the technology available to the likes of its all-new C-MAX in the months ahead.

Don’t worry, diesel fans, as the main fuel of choice is catered for with 115, 140 and 163 horsepower units. And with a DSG-style gearbox available for the 140 and 163 diesels, plus standard fit on the 2.0 Ecoboost engine, Ford continues to push the technology envelope on its mainstream cars – and very good it is, too.

Keen drivers with a family have had a rough deal in recent years. The people-carrier has been a marvellous invention, but these ‘big box’ motors have rarely offered an engaging experience for the pilot.

Ford’s S-MAX does a great job of combining practical family-centric elements with a level of performance to rival that of a mid-size hatchback, and these latest changes do much to improve on an already impressive proposition.

Ford S-MAX 2.0 SCTi Ecoboost:-

PRICE: £26,945 on the road. Range starts at £22,945.

ENGINE: A 2.0-litre petrol unit producing 203bhp via six-speed DSG gearbox, delivering power to the front wheels.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 137mph, 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds.

COSTS: Average 34.8mpg.

EMISSIONS: 189g/km.

WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles.

Steve’s Ratings:

Performance: 5/5 Ride/Handling: 4/5 Space/Practicality: 4/5 Equipment: 4/5 Security/Safety: 4/5 OVERALL: 4/5