Review of the new Ford Galaxy - Jack Of All Trades But Master Of One

If Ford's sporty S-MAX is the large MPV for people who want to pretend that they're not driving a large MPV, then its Galaxy sister vehicle is the large MPV for those who couldn't give a monkey's what the world at large thinks. Refreshingly unpretentious in its approach, the Galaxy simply sets out to be as practical as it can for a large family. Over the course of a long term test, we've been deciding just how practical it is.

You'll fit seven people in a fully-loaded Galaxy and that's seven full-sized people too. Access to the rearmost row of seats isn't the assault course it is in some models in this class and once you're there, it's possible for a six-footer to sit out a long journey in reasonable comfort. In all likelihood, most owners will either use the rear seats exclusively for children or fold them down completely to maximise luggage space so it's hard to gripe about them on any level. Our test has seen the seating primarily in the stowed position and that frees up a usefully large boot area. The Galaxy's various berths all split and fold down but they aren't capable of the acrobatics that can be witnessed in the most flexible large MPVs. There is a flat load floor but the range of seat configurations isn't that vast. Having said that, a situation has yet to arise where the Galaxy couldn't take all of the required personnel and luggage on board.

Once you've positioned the seats and loaded up, there's a good level of comfort with supportive seating and leg and head room barely an issue except in the case of the very tall. The Galaxy has stood-up well to the pressures of family life with the interior retaining a freshness (beneath a thin layer of grime) that will do its bit to protect the residual value. Many of the more useful storage solutions are optional extras on the Galaxy but our model came fitted with quite a few of them. A big thumbs-up goes to the under seat storage areas which really help to reduce clutter in the cabin floor and the roof-mounted storage console looked pretty desirable in the glossy brochure.

"Diesel is the obvious choice in a full size MPV"

The S-MAX caters for buyers bent on shrugging off the shackles that a big people carrier traditionally puts on their driving enjoyment, leaving the Galaxy free to do the things that a big MPV should do. It's softer sprung and both you and your passengers will appreciate this during long stints on the bobbly British road network. The steering remains pleasantly direct and the conveniently-positioned gearshifter on our manual car slots between the different ratios with some aplomb. Visibility is another Galaxy strong point with the extra glass area it offers over the S-MAX proving useful when squeezing into a parking bay or pulling out of an angled junction.

Our Galaxy is equipped with the 2.0-litre TDCi common-rail diesel engine in 138bhp form. Diesel is the obvious choice in a full size MPV, the fuel economy helping to keep running costs manageable, the surging torque helping to keep progress reasonably peppy in what is a particularly hefty vehicle. The Galaxy is available with 1.8-litre diesel engines of similar architecture but with only 99 and 123bhp in each case, these don't offer the same verve as our 138bhp car.

Anyone who's tried a spell at the wheel of the firmly sprung S-MAX will find the Galaxy less sharp in feel but what you lose on the turn-in to corners and in body-control at the apex, you gain in smoothness and comfort on the flat. That said, putting the S-MAX to one side, large MPVs that handle better than the Galaxy are a rare breed, if indeed there are any. Considering its height and size, it's highly accomplished on the road and in no way tarnishes Ford's reputation in this area.

When the prodigious space inside the Galaxy isn't quite enough, we have been known to hitch up a trailer to increase capacity but the Galaxy's drivetrain remains unfazed. Pulling a large box trailer full of PA equipment isn't part of the remit for most MPVs but many owners will pull caravans, or trailers full of bikes, household items or rubbish on its way to the tip. The TDCi diesel engine is well up to the towcar job, offering plenty of power and, more importantly, torque. Experience has shown that the Galaxy's body control with a trailer hitched up is far better when the Sport mode is engaged. Here, the firmed-up suspension settings reduce the pitch and roll caused by the weight of the trailer bobbing along behind. It also pays to switch off the rear parking sensors when towing, unless of course you like incessant high-pitched bleeping as an accompaniment to your journeys.

We've all warmed to the Galaxy over the course of this long term test. It may not have the eye-catching looks or headline-grabbing engines of the S-MAX but it does the important MPV stuff better and that will be what matters to most MPV buyers. Over time spent with a car like this, using it as any normal family would, novelties like sporty styling and powerful engines tend to wear off, leaving the vehicle to stand or fall on more practical considerations. That's why the Galaxy gets our vote.

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