Review of the new Ford Galaxy Range

The Ford Galaxy may have to play second fiddle to its S-MAX sibling in terms of profile but it is the better MPV. It drives almost as well as its sporty sibling but delivers more space and greater practicality, the things that most MPV buyers prioritise. The latest revisions to the engine range make the big Ford an even more worthwhile choice.

Working in tandem to corner the market for large seven-seat MPVs, Ford's S-MAX and Galaxy twins have proven to be a real success. The S-MAX is the sporty one, designed for people who'd prefer to be driving a hot hatchback but have been hamstrung by their ever-expanding brood. Predictably, it tends to get more column inches than the sensible Galaxy that's based on the same platform but here we're going to redress the balance. Don't shout about it but the low-key, practical Galaxy might just be the superior product.

In recent times, Ford has become a byword for fun driver's cars. The Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo have headed their respective classes when judged on criteria like chassis balance and handling agility but when it comes to large MPVs like the Galaxy, the capacity to slay a set of high-speed corners features less highly in the thinking of prospective buyers.

That's not to say it isn't desirable to some, and it's why Ford cleverly split its seven-seater offering between the exuberant S-MAX and the more homely Galaxy. In the presence of the S-MAX, the Galaxy is left free to do the traditional MPV thing, a task not easily reconciled with the need for thrilling dynamics. With sharper looks and some exciting engine technology, the Galaxy looks stronger than ever.

Diesel power has been the dominant choice in the Ford Galaxy since the word go. The car's practical remit is a perfect fit with the economy and pulling power you tend to get when burning heavy oil. Little is likely to change with the latest 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine range meeting the Euro V emissions regulations and available in a choice of 114bhp, 138bhp or 161bhp power outputs.

"With more technology and sharper looks, the latest Galaxy has upped its game.."

Despite this, petrol might not be the non-starter you imagine it to be in the modern Galaxy thanks to the intriguingly titled 2.0-litre EcoBoost SCTi engine. With 200bhp plus 300Nm maximum torque available throughout a 1,750rpm to 4,500rpm rev band this is a thoroughly high-tech installation. The all-aluminium unit uses direct fuel injection, low-inertia turbocharging and twin independent variable cam timing to achieve its impressive performance. It can take the Galaxy from a standstill to 60mph in 8.8s and hit a 135mph top speed, which is brisk indeed for a full-size seven-seater.

There's a wider gap between the way S-MAX and Galaxy look these days. The S-MAX has an angular and angry look about the front end: the Galaxy favours additional class and chrome. There's more chrome on the low-profile roof rails and LED lights feature at the rear.

The Galaxy glass area is huge and when viewed externally, the flanks appear to be split 50/50 between metal and glazing. This throws an abundance of light into the cabin and the low waistline means that everyone gets a clear view out. Even as an adult cooped up in the back row, there's little feeling of claustrophobia, with the Galaxy's designers having made good use of the space available. The cabin floor even slopes up slightly towards the rear so that people in the back can see what's going on up front.

Any large MPV is only as good as its seating system with the folding, sliding, removable seat having evolved into something of an art form over recent years. The Galaxy's interior is capable of all the usual accommodation acrobatics and it's relatively straightforward to access the configuration you want without recourse to the owner's manual. Fortunately, the seats don't have to be lifted out in the manor favoured by some of the Galaxy's more aged rivals. Instead, the rearmost two rows simply drop down flush with the floor to present a vast flat load area that's almost commercial vehicle in its dimensions. There's very little luggage capacity with all the Galaxy's seating occupied but the car can easily take five people and a whole lot of luggage when the third row seats are dropped down, the cargo area being accessible and uniformly shaped.

There are plenty of options available to the car buyer with a need for seven seats. Many compact MPVs and the majority of large 4x4 vehicles at least have the option of additional seating behind the second row. If, however, you plan on using more than five seats on a regular basis and for adult-sized passengers, a full-size MPV like the Galaxy is the best bet. There's just that bit more space available in this class of car, certainly more than you'll find in anything without obvious minibus tendencies.

The latest Galaxy has grown notably more high-tech. Both on the options list and included in the various trim levels are some choice bits of technological wizardry. Ford's keyless entry system is a boon when you're approaching the vehicle with an armful of something or other and the Easyfuel system is an ingenious feature that stops the worst case scenario developing when you forget if your car runs on petrol of diesel. There's an ASLD Adjustable Speed Limiter Device which can prevent the vehicle exceeding the pre-set speed limit and the Blind Sport Information System warns drivers when a vehicle is in their blind spot area.

Running the Galaxy should be a comparatively affordable business thanks to the latest crop of engines. The Duratorq diesels are capable of returning close to 50mpg on the combined cycle with emissions in the 150g/km ballpark. Go the feisty 2.0 SCTi petrol engine and the 35mpg combined economy is very good for a vehicle of this size with this performance. Emissions are 189g/km.

When you consider the kinds of buyers who actually go out and purchase seven-seat MPVs, their requirements and the requirements of their families, you could easily make a case for the Ford Galaxy being a better car than its S-MAX sister vehicle. Where the S-MAX majors on offering an engaging driving experience and sporty styling coupled with MPV practicality, the Galaxy gets on with the job in hand, that of fulfilling the traditional MPV role. It's practical, well built and should still drive better than most of its rivals.

With more technology and sharper looks, the latest Galaxy has upped its game. It's in the engine bay where the most salient changes have taken place though, and the emergence of the SCTi turbocharged petrol engine means that diesel is no longer the only option worth considering.

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