Verdict
The Ford S-MAX CD539E asks RM28,109 more, but brings a broader 1,916 mm body, 345 Nm from 2,300 rpm and a claimed 7.9 L/100 km consumption figure against 8.1 L/100 km. It is also the better-equipped family MPV, with steering correction, auto high beam, a reverse camera and far more elaborate front seats. The Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) remains close on core practicality: both have seven seats, a 285-litre boot and a 70-litre tank, while its 8.2-second sprint is marginally quicker.
Pick the Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) if you want the lower-cost seven-seater with 240 hp, a panoramic roof and nine airbags.
Pick the Ford S-MAX CD539E if you want stronger low-rpm torque, slightly lower claimed fuel use and substantially richer driver-assistance and comfort equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) RM193,619; Ford S-MAX CD539E RM221,728.
- Torque: Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) 340 Nm at 4,500 rpm; Ford S-MAX CD539E 345 Nm at 2,300 rpm.
- 0-100 km/h: Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) 8.2 seconds; Ford S-MAX CD539E 8.4 seconds.
- Rated economy: Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) 8.1 L/100 km; Ford S-MAX CD539E 7.9 L/100 km.
- Airbags: Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) nine; Ford S-MAX CD539E seven.
- Width: Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) 1,884 mm; Ford S-MAX CD539E 1,916 mm.
Mk1 (CD340)
- RM28,109 cheaper to buy.
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time and higher 235 km/h top speed.
- Nine airbags and a panoramic roof.
- Uses 0.2 L/100 km more fuel on the rated cycle.
- Lacks steering correction, auto high beam and a reverse camera.
- Driver's seat lacks the CD539E's memory, heating, ventilation and massage functions.
CD539E
- 345 Nm arrives at 2,300 rpm.
- Steering correction, all-seat belt reminders and auto high beam.
- Memory, heated, ventilated and massage-equipped driver’s seat.
- Costs RM28,109 more.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time and lower 224 km/h top speed.
- Has seven airbags to the Mk1’s nine and no panoramic roof.
What the Mk1 (CD340) has over the CD539E
What the CD539E has over the Mk1 (CD340)
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM193,619✓ | RM221,728 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440 | RM440 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,975/mo✓ | RM2,265/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM5,347✓ | RM6,078 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM3,224 | RM3,144✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM16.12 | RM15.72✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM45,053✓ | RM48,309 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve, DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 240 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 237 hp at 5,300 rpm |
| Torque | 340 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 345 Nm at 2,300 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 83.1 mm | 87.5 mm × 83.1 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 9.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | PowerShift | Selectshift |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Ford/GM |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.2 seconds✓ | 8.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 8.1 L/100 km | 7.9 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 224 km/h |
| Co2 | —✓ | 180 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,801 mm | 4,796 mm |
| Width | 1,884 mm | 1,916 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,849 mm |
| Weight | 1,676 kg | 1,748 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 285 litres | 285 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R17 | 235/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R17 | 235/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Primacy 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Belgium (CBU) | Spain (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electro-hydraulic power steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Full-length Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on three middle row passenger seats | Available On Three Middle Row Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive Bi-Xenon Projectors | Adaptive LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-Way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat | Power Adjustable Seats with Memory for Driver, Heated, Ventilated, with Massage Function |
| Rear Seats | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding, Third Row 50:50 | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-Folding Last Row, Electric Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Middle Row, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | Sony Radio CD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and 9 Speakers | 8" Ford SYNC 2 with 9-speaker Sony Premium Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | 100,000 km | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/60,000 km free service | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
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Mk1 (CD340) vs CD539E FAQ
Is the Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) or Ford S-MAX CD539E better?
The Ford S-MAX CD539E is better equipped and has stronger torque lower in the rev range, plus a slightly better rated economy figure. Choose the Mk1 if its lower price, nine airbags, panoramic roof and marginally quicker acceleration matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Ford S-MAX Mk1 (CD340) costs RM193,619 and the Ford S-MAX CD539E costs RM221,728, a difference of RM28,109.
Which S-MAX is more practical for seven passengers?
They are closely matched for basic family carrying: both are seven-seat MPVs with a 285-litre boot, 70-litre fuel tank and 2,850 mm or 2,849 mm wheelbase. The CD539E adds sliding and electric-folding rear-seat functions.