Ford Galaxy MPV (2006 – ) expert review

The Ford Galaxy looks like a big car from the outside, but has a consistent look with the smaller, Ford Focus-based C-MAX and sporty S-MAX. Its front is as sleek as Ford’s other multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) and its rear lights give a nod to the Mondeo saloon. It looks as though the Galaxy will be huge inside, with its boxy rear three-quarters maximising interior room.

The Galaxy is built alongside Ford’s Mondeo saloon and S-MAX MPV, with all three models sharing the same dashboard and it has a genuinely premium feel. The red trip computer is reminiscent of those installed into Volkswagen and Audi vehicles. A u-shaped handbrake which lifts vertically is a nice touch in a centre console which sweeps between the two front seats. The view from the second row of seats is equally pleasant, with a table to occupy the outermost two passengers. This is the MPV to show its rivals the way when it comes to interior style.

The amount of storage space in the cabin impresses. A row of cubbyholes running along the centre of the roof provide front and second row seat passengers access to oddments, while on the Ghia model, these stretch almost the full length of the car. There’s more storage on top of the dash, in the centre console and doors and even in the passenger-side armrest on the third row of seats. The Galaxy’s seats fold into the floor – although not completely flat like the Vauxhall Zafira. Boot space grows from 367 to 2,095 litres depending on the number of seats folded.

The Galaxy shares many major components with the excellent Mondeo saloon, so inherits a good chassis. There’s some bodyroll, but the steering offers a good level of feedback. Our test car was fitted with the optional IVDC with Continuously Controlled Damping, which is a clever piece of kit that adjusts the firmness of the suspension through three settings, and changes the damping every 0.2 seconds for an optimum ride. Even on ‘Sport’ mode, the ride was good, but ‘Comfort’ felt a little bouncy at speed. ‘Normal’ was an excellent compromise.

Ford offers six engine choices: 2- and 2.3-litre petrol, and a choice of two 1.8-litre and two 2-litre diesels. The petrols offer some of the best performance, though diesels will make up the bulk of sales. The 1.8-litre comes with 100bhp or 125bhp, the latter is available with a six-speed manual gearbox which marginally improves performance. Headline figures for these are 0-62 in 13.8 or 11.4 seconds (11.2 for the six-speeder) and top speeds of 106, 114 and 116mph. The 2-litres come in 128bhp and 138bhp guises offering 0-62mph in 11.8 and 9.9 seconds reaching speeds of 116 and 120mph.

Starting at almost £20,000, there are cheaper rivals on the market. The 1.8 TDCi 100 LX retains an impressive 51 per cent of its value, while the 2-litre petrol in Zetec and Ghia trim retain 43 per cent. Ford says the diesels offer average fuel consumption figures from 38.1mpg (2-litre 128bhp) to 53.3mpg for the 1.8-litre models. That’s good for a car with seven seats, making the emissions per occupant competitive. Insurance groups of 10 and 11 are average, while CO2 emissions ranging from 166 to 197g/km mean tax bands E and F, costing £165 and £205 respectively.

This incarnation of the Ford Galaxy hasn’t been around long enough for many common problems to emerge. It feels like a premium product, and vastly improved over Fords of old

The Ford Galaxy scored a full five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test programme, and offers the full range of airbags, including driver, passenger, front side, second and third row side curtain and driver’s knee ‘bags. Additionally, all seats have full three-point seatbelts and a collapsible steering column. A deactivation switch for the front passenger airbag is a dealer-fit option.

There are three models in the Ford Galaxy range: Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X. All models get alloy wheels, parking sensors front and rear and a heated front screen as well as Bluetooth with voice control. Climate control, electric windows all round and electric adjustment for the driver’s seat height are also included. However, you have to specify Titanium trim to get automatic lights and wipers, USB connectivity, a DAB radio and sports seats, as well as cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and extra storage spaces. The range-topping Titanium X adds leather trim, a panoramic roof and xenon headlights along with wood trim inserts for the cabin.

It’s the MPV which feels like a quality saloon car with massive levels of storage space. There’s little to rival it for everyday usability for large families.