Nostalgia and charm have been key factors in the good marks the Car of the Year 2008 Jury has given to the retro-looking 500, a car of classless appeal in the Fiat tradition.

The S-Max, winner of the award with a margin of only two points from the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, was seen by the Jury as a sporty and spacious seven-seater with strong personality and design and excellent safety. The balance between family roominess and versatility and, at the same time, pleasant dynamics, refinement and driving fun, was the most praised feature of this good looking MPV that started a new line of design in Ford.