The Ford S-Max MPV has been voted Europe's top car.

Awarded 'European Car of the Year 2007', the seven seat S-Max fended off the new Vauxhall Corsa and Citroen C4 Picasso to take the gong.

Judges rated more than 40 cars on a host of areas, including looks, comfort, practicality and ease of driving.

British judge, Steve Cropley said: "the Ford S-Max succeeds spectacularly in its mission to establish a niche for the genuinely spacious, genuinely sporty 'driver's' MPV."

The S-Max - which has received a full five star rating in the EuroNCAP crash tests - is the sleeker, sportier version of the Ford Galaxy.

John Fleming, president and CEO, Ford of Europe said: "Since we launched S-MAX earlier this year, we have been amazed at the reaction to the car, both from the opinion forming media as well as our customers."

This accolade is Ford's fifth European Car of the Year award, with previous trophies for its Focus, Mondeo, Granada Scorpio and the third-generation Escort.

The final placings were:
Ford S-Max
Vauxhall Corsa
Citroën C4 Picasso
Skoda Roomster
Honda Civic
Peugeot 207
Volvo C30
Fiat Grande Punto

Check back tomorrow for our European Car of the Year slide show.

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Does the S-Max deserve the title - if not, what does?

Related links
caroftheyear.org

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