Ford are in the headlines again after their S-Max people carrier made the top of the list of towcars in the third annual Towcar Awards. The same vehicle has also won the large MPV class in the latest British Insurance Car Security Awards.

The annual Towcar awards were judged by a panel of experts from What Car? Magazine, Practical Caravan and the British Camping and Caravanning Club. This year a record number of towing vehicles are expected to take to Britains overcrowded roads as many people are choosing to 'staycation' rather than travel overseas. Practical Caravan magazine editor Nigel Donnelly has said that there is a real need for unbiased consumer advice regarding towing vehicles as over £1 billion is spent annually in this sector.

In total 39 cars were tested for their towing ability, driving performance when not towing, practicality, value for money and safety. The vehicles were categorised based on their kerb weight. The Ford S-Max came out on top in the 1725kg to 1899kg category.

The standard of towcars entered into this year's contest was higher than ever but the clear, outright winner was recognised as not only a great towcar but also as a fantastic car when not hooked up to a towing a trailer or caravan. This accolade went to the fantastic Volvo XC60.

The fantastic Ford S-Max won yet another award in the 2009 British insurance Vehicle Security Awards. These awards were established in 2004 to raise consumer awareness of what is best in vehicle security and to recognise thsoe motor manufacturers who ahve produced the most secure vehicles. This year was the first time that vans were included in the assessment of vehicles against the New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) scheme.

The Ford S-Max received the highest score in its large MPV class for the third year in a row and the Ford Galaxy came in a close second. Yet again this affirms Ford's vehicle security reputation.

The security awards are supported by the Home Office, Department for Transport, Automobile Association and various UK insurers. They are the highest official recognition of vehicle security in the United Kingdom.

The Ford S-Max costs from £19,895 on the road but you could be driving one of these award winning people carriers for a down payment of £809.85 and monthly payments of £269.95 for three years on a Ford lease contract.

If the Towcar award winning Volvo XC60 is more to your liking then you could be driving one of these fantastic people carriers for a down payment of £1,033.17 and 3 years monthly payments of £344.39 on a Volvo lease contract.

So if you are one of the many people aiming to hitch up your caravan, pack up your camping equipment and enjoy some of what Britain has to offer this summer then these award-winning people carriers could be just what you need.

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