European Car of the Year 2007; it has a nice ring to it doesn't it? Ford would certainly have been pleased as punch when the 58 automotive journalists from 22 European countries emerged from their smoke-filled room holding the S-MAX MPV aloft as the premier product of the year. Such a prestigious accolade can only raise a vehicle's profile with the public at large, giving sales a shot in the arm in the process. But wait, with the sporty S-MAX raking-in the plaudits, aren't we forgetting something? Amidst all the furore, the less extrovert Galaxy - a car built on identical underpinnings - might be in danger of slipping under the radar. This would be a cardinal sin with the S-MAX's more sensible sibling arguably representing the more complete package for family buyers.

Some months back, we embarked on a long term test at the wheel of a Galaxy TDCi 140 to set the records straight. The Galaxy might be built around more traditional MPV virtues than the thrusting S-MAX but haven't these qualities become established in the MPV sphere because that's what most customers want? We set out to find the answers to this question plus a few others and having been with the Galaxy for the long haul, we're fairly confident we have the answers.

The S-MAX is a great concept expertly executed by Ford. It's a full-size MPV for people who would really rather not own a full-sized MPV at all but are forced to by their expanding families. The spoilers and sporty detailing aren't just wolf fancy dress for the sheep. The car handles superbly and if you opt for the 2.5-litre turbo engine pinched from the Focus ST, it's shockingly quick. Inevitably, though, there are compromises.

Unlike the S-MAX, the Galaxy is unashamed of what it is - a large MPV - and it gets on with doing that job as efficiently as possible. Where the S-MAX employs firmer springs to produce that sharp drive, the Galaxy is tunes more for comfort. 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 sleeker S-MAX proving useful when squeezing into a parking bay or pulling out of an angled junction.

".the Galaxy is unashamed of what it is"

Our Galaxy is equipped with the 2.0-litre TDCi common-rail diesel engine in 138bhp form. This is the most popular powerplant in the wider Galaxy line-up. 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. If that's what you really want, then there's a 2.2-litre TDCi unit at the top of the range.

Anyone who's tried a spell at the wheel of the more focused S-MAX will find the Galaxy less urgent 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.

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. The seats don't lift 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. Of course, various combinations of seating and luggage space can be achieved by folding different seats but the main one that most owners will employ, that of both of the seats in the third row folded down to create a big boot behind the middle row, is very handy indeed. 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 configured in this five-seat manner, the cargo area being easily accessible and uniformly shaped.

The S-MAX might have the wow factor but the Galaxy does a better job of filling the large MPV role and it's not without its charm out on the open road. Family buyers who aren't much interested in performance and panache but want a vehicle that eases the burden of family life will find a perfect partner in the less extrovert of Ford's large MPVs. If the S-MAX is the enthusiast's choice, the Galaxy is the Family's Car of the Year.