In-depth reviews

Ford Galaxy review - Interior, design and technology

The Galaxy is designed for practicality rather than sleek looks, but the styling is sharper than that of its predecessor

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.0 out of 5

Interior, design and technology Rating

3.2 out of 5

Price
£40,700 to £43,200
Find your Ford Galaxy
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

When a car’s job is to cram in seven seats and maximise interior space at all costs, something has to give.

In the case of large MPVs, a boxy silhouette is pretty much a given, and the Galaxy is no different. However, Ford has done a great job of giving it an upmarket look.

Up front, the chrome grille has been sharpened and stripped of its Ford badge, which now sits on the edge of the bonnet. Mid-level Titanium models come with LED daytime running lights, while silver roof rails, extra silver window trim and tinted rear glass add to the upmarket look. The standard 17-inch wheels appear small, but Ford offers 18-inch alloy wheels as an option on Titanium models.

At the rear, the large tail-lights have a black outline and they merge with the rear window, which also forms the upper edge of the number plate recess. Overall, the Galaxy looks upmarket, although the single standard colour is a rather drab dark blue – white paint costs around £250, metallic finishes are about £550 and special ruby red paint is about £800.

The interior is not only made from better quality materials than its predecessor, but looks bang up to date. A chunky brushed aluminium trim and a host of smart geometric shapes – such as the air vents – give the interior a fresh, upmarket feel, while the optional full-length panoramic glass roof floods the interior with light and makes it feel twice as big again. It's so good that it's the same dashbard layout that's used in the S-MAX, while anybody driving a Ford Edge SUV or even a Mondeo will be familiar with the layout, too.

Sat-nav, stero and infotainment

The Galaxy comes with Ford’s Sync 3, an eight-inch high-resolution central touch screen system with voice control, as standard. This includes a DAB radio, aux and USB sockets, Bluetooth, an SD card slot and eight speakers. The touchscreen system means there aren’t too many buttons all over the dash, so the display is cleaner.

Mid-level Titanium models add Ford’s sat-nav system, while an optional digital display that fits snugly across the instrument cluster and into the dials is a useful addition, and can be fully controlled by the multifunction steering wheel.

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    2.0 EcoBlue Zetec 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £33,100

Most Economical

  • Name
    2.5 FHEV 190 Titanium 5dr CVT
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £40,400

Fastest

  • Name
    2.0 EcoBlue 190 Titanium 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £37,250

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023