Scottish Car Clan asserts that after 2016, Mk 2.5 Kuga diesel with 180 BHP engine has an "upgraded" Powershift which is a much better box.
Does anyone know the detail on this or even if it is correct?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K89opSZ7pO4

Even more importantly, does this apply to 2017 SMAX?

It was improved, as you say, after about then (when Petrol DCT250 was fazed out)

But, does it fit? Is the important question

That I can't help you with other than trying

What's going on with your current box?

11 hours ago, Shearers said:

Even more importantly, does this apply to 2017 SMAX?

Seems unlikely. Kuga is separate from Galaxy/S-Max/Mondeo which were all similar. The 163 engine is an older version, I doubt they'd fit the newer gearbox to that one.

Thanks both above...
We are trying to decide if we should buy another, later S-MAX and which one, of course.
If Kuga had improved Powershift, which seems to be confirmed by your comments, that may become an option after MBH has her say.
There is such a range of engines/transmissions etc that salespeople are unlikely to know and just want you to buy.
For info, our current (as you know) 123k Powershift is still perfect due to being sedate(ish), even when towing, following the oil and filter change to the letter (and probably a healthy dose of luck!)
Any further comments welcome, Thanks, as ever!

I'd take the opportunity to buy a car with a completely better transmission than a Ford automatic

2 hours ago, DaveT70 said:

I'd take the opportunity to buy a car with a completely better transmission than a Ford automatic

Maybe but some auto (which one - exact identifiers?) with the space, seating position, 3 full seats in the second row with option for 7 seats and isn't too tall to fit in our garage please as we are in a confused state - nightmare! (will compromise on some)

There's a challenge, all suggestions welcome!
Edit: and at least know which have wet belt(s) so that can be factored in.

Have you got a ballpark budget in mind?

Would you consider hybrid or EV?

All 2.0 EcoBlue Ford engines are wetbelt but I can't think of another large capacity engine with a wetbelt, so this type of vehicle should avoid them from other manufacturers.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Have you got a ballpark budget in mind?

Would you consider hybrid or EV?

All 2.0 EcoBlue Ford engines are wetbelt but I can't think of another large capacity engine with a wetbelt, so this type of vehicle should avoid them from other manufacturers.

Full hybrid could be on the list providing it wasn't wet belt and met most of our criteria above (mainly seating position, ideally) and a bit of space

Just looking for ideas and alternatives.

11 hours ago, Shearers said:

Full hybrid could be on the list providing it wasn't wet belt and met most of our criteria above (mainly seating position, ideally) and a bit of space

Just looking for ideas and alternatives.

I appreciate you're only looking for ideas currently but having a rough budget or maximum age makes it easier to thin down the choices. There's no point suggesting something worth £50k if you could never afford it, or the same age as the car you've already got.

If you want the newest possible car, with reliability and many years warranty, then I'd say the Dacia Jogger can't be beaten for price or looks. It does look like a normal car, but still has 7 seats and a high seating position. Doesn't look overly tall so should fit in your garage. It's a petrol hybrid, which should be cheaper to run than straight diesel, but I don't know what the towing capability would be. Main downside is the lack of 'toys', but it depends whether you would favour reliability or not.

If you do want toys then you could go for the Seat Alhambra, but they stopped making those 6 years ago, and they will still cost more than a nearly new Dacia. They won't have manufacturers warranty and are likely to be less reliable. They do come with a 2.0 diesel and the stronger DSG gearbox, however...they also come with a wet belt just for the oil pump. I would say these are a pretty close rival to an S-Max of the same age, but the S-Max will come with 2x wetbelts and a Powershift gearbox. The S-Max does look better.

There aren't many other options as vehicles of this type tend to be van shaped presumably in order to cater for the WAV market, who are likely to be the first owners of cars like this on the Motability scheme. (People with 5 kids are unlikely to be able to afford brand new cars!)

@TomsFocus Thanks for the usual comprehensive answer!
The very interesting looking Jogger would likely be a candidate if it wasn't for the woeful safety performance (1*, almost frightening) A great pity they can't improve on that but it is almost a given meaning the worst performers really stand out?
The budget is flexible, we (actually I) don't want to spend more than about £25k at the outside as we may not need to tow for much longer so a lot of the size and space issues may disappear (still want the ability to easily load stuff in the boot - practicality)
Relatives have a Sharan so that may need to be discussed and even Tourneo, Touran, Berlingo may suit and bite the bullet on wet belts whilst cursing the design decisions. Plus my days of DIY are almost over.
At the moment, still hoping that S-MAX will outlast our touring and give warning of ultimate failure so that we have time to make a decision and we'll still look around for options.
Thanks again for those useful thoughts!

8 minutes ago, Shearers said:

The very interesting looking Jogger would likely be a candidate if it wasn't for the woeful safety performance (1*, almost frightening) A great pity they can't improve on that but it is almost a given meaning the worst performers really stand out?

This is more to do with the regular changes in standards than anything else. I suspect it would be safer in a crash than a 2011 S-Max despite the seemingly poor rating. (Similar thing has happened with efficiency ratings on white goods).

I get your drift and think Dacia have made a conscious decision not to fit lane keeping and other expensive systems for driver assistance (I don't really vote for them), so that may well be a big part of it but guess which is which on the basics:

OOOppps, there's a big clue 😉, however, an interesting viewing in any case!

18 minutes ago, Shearers said:

I get your drift and think Dacia have made a conscious decision not to fit lane keeping and other expensive systems for driver assistance (I don't really vote for them), so that may well be a big part of it but guess which is which on the basics:

OOOppps, there's a big clue 😉, however, an interesting viewing in any case!

Don't think I'd fancy crashing either of them after reading that. 😅

I strongly suspect the protection that was classed as 'good' 15 years ago is now either adequate or even poor though. That is the point I was making. These ratings are virtually meaningless when they keep moving the goalposts. They only work when comparing two cars of the same age.

Risk of injury from the dashboard is an interesting one though, there's barely anything on a modern dashboard. I can only assume the 'dash iPad' isn't screwed down particularly well. That is a daft oversight if so!

Update...at the moment, the current choice is between keeping S-MAX until something major happens (likely, but it has served us well) and changing either now or in reasonably near future but not under pressure.
We still really need to make a decision now to avoid "emergency" purchase. i.e. have model and spec in mind subject to review.
Looked at Kuga and others of that ilk. MBH really liked it. and not just the colour 😉
2.5 Ecoboost Hybrids (£28k) are a plenty but really unsure regarding reliability and power delivery (does meet towing need)
However, there are 2022 2.0 Ecoblue 190 PS auto at a more pleasing £22k.
BUT assume it has at least a wet belt for oil pump (sales said warranted by Ford, unsure about that and didn't ask, with full service records) Would probably be happy with that as smaller belt less likely to break up enough to block oil screen but maybe even if both belts and FSH/warranty?
Is that correct and what auto box will it have (and the known issues with that) please?
Other suggestions for reliable autos in cars of that type still wanted (there was a higher mileage Toyota Rav 4 - the reliability sounds good but we didn't look at it)
Thanks as ever to anyone replying.

All 2.0 EcoBlue Ford engines have two wetbelts. One for cams and another for oil pump.

(The exception to that is if you buy a VW with Ford badges, as noted in another thread today. But the Kuga is not one of them.)