If you’ve got a ‘go large or go home’ attitude and the seven-seat Ford S-MAX simply
isn’t big enough for you, then the next step in Ford’s MPV range is this, the Galaxy.
And although it’s based on the S-MAX platform, it’s just that tad bit more practical and
luxurious.
And okay, it’s not going to be a huge seller for Ford, but the Galaxy is more like it’s
second fighter in the MPV ring, helping it tag team competition like the SEAT Alhambra
and the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso.
Now let’s just forget for a second that this is an MPV.
I mean, even by saloon standards, this interior is lovely.
You’ve got your obligatory couch-like, leather seats, standard kit that includes DAB, Bluetooth
and Ford’s voice-activated SYNC2 system – plus, this Titanium X model comes with
a reversing camera.
And the layout is really no-nonsense and easy to understand too.
As it does fall into that luxurious bracket, the options list lets you really splash out.
For example, with this Titanium X model we have a SONY navigation system, £450, and
Adaptive cruise control & Active city stop – which cost £900.
The Titanium X model does get self-parking capabilities as standard though.
One thing that has managed to irritate me on numerous occasions is the positioning of
the electric handbrake, which is on the other side of the centre console, so you may end
up encroaching on your passengers’ personal space.
Someone’s comfort is usually jeopardised when it comes to seven-seaters – but that’s
not the case in the Galaxy.
I mean sitting back here there’s tons of space, tray tables and adjustable seating
positions for each individual seat, allowing you to recline or slide these forward, which
still leaves you with enough leg room to get comfortable.
And, hop into the furthest seats and you almost feel like you are in the second row again
as it manages to stamp out the usual third row niggles of an MPV - the seats are slightly
raised so your knees aren’t high up, there’s loads of headroom, cup holders for good measure
and huge windows to avoid claustrophobia. £400 if you want that.
Now, when you’ve got all the seats in place there’s only 300 litres for storage, but
that’s still more than its key competitors.
Use this incredibly clever switch to fold the third row down, which can also electronically
fold them back up, and you get 1,301 litres of space.
Press this and fold the second row and you have 2,339 litres – that’s more than the
Grand C4 Picasso and Alhambra – you also get a flat, van-like loading surface.
Engines are plentiful in the Galaxy – and there’s even two petrols to choose from,
a 158bhp 1.5-litre EcoBoost and a 237bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost.
But come on, a massive seven-seat MPV, you don’t want a petrol.
Which brings me on to the diesels.
Now, all diesels are 2.0-litre units, but power outputs include 118bhp, 148bhp, 178bhp
and 207bhp, the 207 one being bi-turbo.
But as you may expect, you are better off going down the middle for either the 148 or
the 178 that we are driving today, because they offer the best balance of power and efficiency.
This 178bhp model can reach 62mph in under 10 seconds, which for a car its size is very
impressive, but it still only emits 129g/km of CO2.
MPG wise, it claims to return an average of around 56mpg – but expect more like 40-45mpg
in day-to-day driving.
When it comes to six-speed manual or six-speed Powershift automatic, the manual models are
more efficient, but the automatic just seems to suit the car that bit better – especially
when it comes to motorway cruising.
Speaking of motorway cruising, and the fact that it’s an MPV, comfort is of course a
priority and the Galaxy is on the money, as it eats up bumps with ease, it’s incredibly
well-refined from the likes of wind and road noise and there’s loads of glass around,
so you always feel…
I don’t know, nice and fresh.
And even though it is uber comfortable, the Galaxy’s still got a bit of personality
about it when it comes to its drive and engagement levels.
I mean you’re unlikely to be thrashing it around a country road, but if your route requires
that type of driving – then you can go into it confidently.
As with the C-MAX and S-MAX models, prices for the Galaxy are quite steep, starting at
around £27,000 – or closer to £35,000 if you go a bit tick box crazy with the options.
But what it really comes down to is whether you want to go above and beyond necessity.
There are plenty of seven-seat MPVs out there that do the job.
But if you don’t want it to simply ‘do the job’ and you are after top notch comfort
and practicality – and general ease of use – then the Galaxy is spot on.
But what do you think of the Galaxy?
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