Ford Galaxy

Bigger, more practical and slightly more luxurious than the S-MAX

Auto Express Car Reviews

Rating:
Latest deal price: from £19,847 to £26,544
For : Good to drive, comfortable, spacious seven-seater
Against : Expensive, less attractive than S-MAX, petrols costly to run

After many years of offering a re-badged version of the Volkswagen Sharan, the latest Ford Galaxy goes its own way – and it’s much the better for it. It’s really good to drive, has full seating for seven adults along with a wide range of frugal diesel engines. However, it’s as expensive as rivals like the Chrysler Voyager and Renault Espace – the range starts at around £25,000 – and its cheaper, sportier S-MAX brother is more desirable despite being a little smaller.

Our pick: 138bhp 2.0-litre TDCI Zetec

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Ford Galaxy

Styling

The Galaxy is much more boxy than the S-MAX sister car – that’s the price you pay for the extra space on board. However, it still boasts plenty of stylish touches, with neat LED-style taillights. Even standard Zetec-trimmed models get alloy wheels, while top-spec Titanium X models add extra chrome trim to enhance the looks.

Interior

As with the S-MAX, the driving position is great. You sit high but still low enough so that you don’t feel you’re ‘on top’ of the car, while the A-pillars are slim so it’s easy to see out. The driving position has loads of adjustment, the dashboard is well made with lots of soft-touch materials, and all the controls are logically placed. Zetec cars have dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, Bluetooth and all-round electric windows. Titanium brings cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, rear air-con, a USB port for iPods and a DAB radio. The flagship Titanium X gets leather seats and a panoramic glass roof.

Driving and Performance

The Galaxy drives better than any full-sized seven-seater has a right too. It’s not quite as agile as the sportier S-MAX, but it has great steering, corners with poise and resists body roll. It also has a compliant ride and seems to completely insulate occupants from road and wind noise, even at motorway speeds. Pick of the engine line-up is the gutsy 2.0 TDCi diesel engine in 138bhp Zetec form – there is a 1.6-litre 113bhp diesel but it’s likely to be underpowered while the 161bhp 2.0 diesel only comes in Titanium trim and costs more than £28,000, some £2,500 more. If you’ve got the cash, the flagship 200bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol is fast but it’s much more thirsty on fuel. If you need an automatic, Ford Powershift gearbox is quick and smooth but adds £1,500.

MPG and running costs

There’s no doubt about it – if you want to minimize your fuel and tax bills go diesel – while the Ecoboost petrols are smooth and quick they just can’t compete. The 138bhp 2.0 TDCi strikes a good balance, returning 47.1mpg and 152g/km of CO2. There is an entry-level, tax-friendly 113bhp 1.6-litre TDCI version which emits 139g/km and should do over 50mpg but we wouldn’t recommend it as you will have to work it hard when fully laden. As for running costs, the Galaxy is a large car so you can expect heavy tyre wear. Budget a reasonable amount for diesel servicing too.

Practicality

The Galaxy’s big plus over the S-MAX is the fact that adults really can travel in the sixth and seventh seats. What’s more there is more rear headroom and overall boot space. With the rear chairs in place boot space is still a respectable 308 litres – which is about the same as offered in a supermini. There’s a huge amount of room in five-seat mode, and with everything folded flat, there’s an enormous 2,325 litres, rivaling small vans for loadspace. It’s easy to fold all the seats, while the centre row moves back and forth and access to the final two is good.

Safety and reliability

The Galaxy has loads of airbags on-board, including front and side airbags for the two front seats along with window airbags for the front two rows. There's also a knee airbag for the driver too. Factor in standard traction and stability control and a five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating and you’ve got a very safe MPV.

For an alternative review of the latest Ford Galaxy visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous Next >

5 Comments

Ratings

If the experts at EuroNCAP can award the car 5 stars for safety why can't AE do the same?

By Correcting_Reports on 6 September, 2011, 2:47pm

Practicaly

Unless your photos are wrong, the Galaxy does not have sliding doors, which is why it is not as attractive as other large MPV's especially the SEAT Alhambra. The Galaxy needs a complete re-design from the bottom up, this model is simply a refreshed one.or so it seems.

By ericlowe22 on 8 September, 2011, 11:52am

I don't think so...

Clearly the reviewer hasn't been anywhere near the Galaxy as it does not have sliding doors.

I actually had a lift in one of these the other week and the middle row seat near the door nearly amputated my arm when trying to get my two 11 & 12 year old boys in the back who didn't look as if they had that much room.

By Whatdoiknow on 9 September, 2011, 4:40pm

Galaxy build quality is below average

Finish & fit of panels are dreadful on the Galaxy, when they they are pressed they are crinkled on some of the lips. You just don't see that on a Renault, Seat or VW.

It will still be the best seller in its class, but l don't think l will be sending any of my money off to Belgium for this brussel made sprout, the EU already steal enough of it from me.

By IvorBiggen on 15 September, 2011, 12:52pm

I live in the u.s.a and you guy's are lucky to get such beautiful car's to own.Most all of our car's are ugly as hell,and we can't get very many with the desiel motor's like you can.I am a ford nut,and wish ford would design car's like they do for you guy's.I love reading my auto express.Not wanting to sound like a dumb ass but in u.s dollars how much is the Galaxy?Here in the u.s ford used to make a galaxy in a 500 with a 351C-351W and a 390.If you guy's find a 225 slant 6 chyrslar engine put a manafold on for 2-4 bbl carb's open up the cold air intake and put straight through exhaust on it.I used to out run mant v-8 engine's with one.You have a reallt great mag.

By bigdude4866067 on 22 November, 2011, 1:27pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.

Pictures

Ford Galaxy