2007 Car of the Year: Ford S-Max grabs the title

Ford’s S-Max managed to grab the first place in the COTY awards this year with a margin of only two points from the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. Ford should feel proud for another reason too as the S-Max is only the second MPV (after the Renault Scenic in 1996) in the contest’s 44-year history to win the award.

Having seen and driven all (with the exception of Citroen’s C4 Picasso) I agree 100% with the S-Max’s first place as it’s a truly driver orientated MPV packed with style and practicality. But, I totally disagree with the Opel Corsa’s second place. I can’t understand what they found in it to give it 233 points (!). Stylish yes, but that’s about the only attribute I can find in it in comparison with the other cars in the B-Segment category. What so new in the Corsa? In what way is it better than the Renault Clio for example?

I also disagree with the 5th placing of the Civic (5door Euro version) that managed to gather a mere 148 points. Its spacious interior is dressed in an outer-space design (in and out) and it has powerful but economical engines. In other words it brings a breeze of fresh air in a conventional, not to say boring category without loosing any of the assets that come with a C-Segment hatch.