Ford Galaxy review

The Ford Galaxy MPV has been a staple on British roads since the nineties, when it arrived to take on the successful Renault Espace in a growing new class. Buying trends have shifted in favour of SUVs now, but the current Galaxy is the best yet.

Previously, Ford worked with VW on its big people carrier, leading to similarities between the Galaxy and Volkswagen Sharan, but that’s no longer the case. In fact, the Sharan and closely related SEAT Alhambra are its biggest rivals. The Galaxy is slightly larger, giving passengers a touch more room inside, and it’s well equipped, too. It sits at the top of Ford’s MPV line-up, above the Ford S-MAX, which is essentially a sportier version of the Galaxy.

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Quite a few cars will seat seven, including SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery and Skoda Kodiaq, but very few offer as much space for each passenger as the Galaxy. While many are really intended for five adults and two kids, seven fully grown people can travel in the Galaxy in comfort. Those seats aren’t static either – you can fold them down in multiple configurations to adjust the amount of luggage space depending on how many people are inside. Stow them all away and you’ll have a luxurious van to haul furniture with.

You might think Ford’s reputation for selling sharp-handling cars wouldn’t extend to the Galaxy, but you’d be wrong. This box on wheels doesn’t need to work off-road like most SUVs, so its suspension offers deft handling, with little body lean and a smooth ride. Even the steering is precise and offers plenty of feel, giving you confidence in the tyres' grip.

In 2019, Ford discontinued the 237bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine from the Galaxy line-up, leaving a choice of less powerful diesel engines that were better suited to the majority of its customers.

They ranged from 148 to 187bhp, and a 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel, capable of 43.5mpg, offering a great blend of power and economy. A four-wheel-drive version was available, too; its extra traction in slippery conditions comes at the expense of increased fuel consumption, but if you make frequent ski trips, it could be worth considering if you can find a lightly used example.

Diesel engines were discontinued during 2021, in favour of Ford's petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, which is shared with the Ford Mondeo. This pairs a 2.5-litre engine with an electric motor, battery and CVT automatic gearbox. It makes for a smooth driving experience, and CO2 emissions of 148g/km are reasonable for such a large car.

Another strong Galaxy attribute is build quality. Although some of the interior materials (and there are a lot of them) are clearly robust rather than handsome, it’s all well assembled and pleasant to touch. No model is anything less than generously equipped, either – even the entry-level Zetec  had alloy wheels, DAB radio, Bluetooth and climate control and Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system when it was still available. Ford has now streamlined the range, so only Titanium is offered, with the added benefit of sat-nav, cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and automatic headlights and wipers.

The Galaxy achieved a five-star safety rating in crash-testing by independent experts Euro NCAP, with seven airbags on all models and autonomous emergency braking available as an option on top-spec versions. While Ford itself doesn’t have the best reputation for reliability, the Galaxy uses proven technology and many private-hire companies rely on it to cover huge mileages every day. Maintenance costs shouldn’t be exorbitant, either.

Not every family needs an MPV this big, but if seven people need to travel together in comfort and safety – and quite quickly if needs be – the Galaxy is well worth a look. It's a shame buyers are now restricted to the hybrid, because the Zetec model with the 148bhp diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox can make a tempting used purchase.