In-depth reviews

Ford Galaxy review

The Ford Galaxy offers acres of space for seven, and loads of tech on top models

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.0 out of 5

Price
£40,700 to £43,200
  • Quiet and comfortable
  • Good safety tech
  • Huge interior
  • Stodgy handling
  • Can get expensive
  • Private hire image
Find your Ford Galaxy
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
From:£11,495 cash
PCP finance available
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

The Ford Galaxy is the largest MPV in the range, so it’s also the most spacious. It's a seven-seater, and the back two seats fold electrically into the floor, while the central row of seats drops down at the press of a button, so it’s extremely practical.

The Galaxy is reasonable to drive, but it has traded a little of the previous model’s handling for greater comfort and refinement, although it’s now one of the best in the large MPV class for refinement and luxury.

There’s a good range of 2.0 TDCi diesel engines available with four different power outputs, and a 1.5 EcoBoost petrol engine, while four-wheel-drive is available, so there's should be a Galaxy to suit your needs and budget if you're looking for one. The only real downside are the Galaxy's associations with the private hire industry, as well as the fact an SUV is a more desirable package for buyers, so residual values take a hammering. Get past that, and the Galaxy is a spacious and luxurious way to carry seven in comfort.

The Ford Galaxy sits at the top of the range of MPVs for sale in Ford dealers today, both in terms of dimensions and luxury. The interior is home to seven seats, all of which have enough space for adults - yes, even the rearmost row - while the sliding and folding back seats allow you to adjust the cabin layout to suit your needs.

Ford is one of the few car makers that still offers people carriers, as the majority of firms now sell seven-seat SUVs instead. However, if ultimate space is your requirement, the Galaxy is still one of the roomiest family cars that you can buy. MPV rivals include Ford's own S-MAX, which shares its Ford Mondeo-sourced running gear with the Galaxy and is just a little bit smaller. Then there's the seven-seat Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer and Renault Grand Scenic, while the SEAT Alhambra and VW Sharan are getting a bit old, but come with handy sliding doors that make them worth considering.

Best MPVs on sale

Seven-seat SUVs are on the rise, but these are only really suitable as an alternative to the Galaxy if you only use the rearmost seats on occasion. If this suits you, then the Skoda Kodiaq, Peugeot 5008, Land Rover Discovery Sport, SEAT Tarraco, Honda CR-V and Nissan X-Trail are all available.

Another alternative is the van-based MPV, and again Ford offers something from within its own ranks that's suitable. The Ford Tourneo Custom, and even the Transit Double Cab In-Van, offer even more space than the Galaxy, but in a more functional package. Elsewhere, there are the Citroen SpaceTourer, Peugeot Traveller and Toyota Proace Verso which all share tech, the VW Caravelle, Renault Trafic Passenger and that other staple of the private hire fraternity, the Mercedes V-Class.

Prices for the Ford Galaxy start from about £30,000, rising to around £42,000 for the most expensive versions. Ford offers Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X trims to private buyers, and we'd recommend going for one of the higher specs to make the most of the Galaxy experience. If you're looking to buy an ex-private hire Galaxy, then it's worth noting that it will likely come in a tailor-made specification, and will miss some standard kit when compared to these trims.

There's a 1.5 EcoBoost petrol available, but the Galaxy's size and weight means it needs to work hard, with the payoff being poor fuel economy. You'll be better off with the 2.0 TDCi diesel, which comes in 120, 150, 190 and 240 outputs. Either the 150 or 190 versions offer the best balance of performance and economy, while manual or auto gearboxes and four-wheel drive are available with both.

Overall, the Galaxy is still a great choice if you want a plush seven-seat family car, although it does have relatively high running costs, while depreciation is a concern for private buyers.

For an alternative review of the latest Ford Galaxy MPV visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    2.0 EcoBlue Zetec 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £33,100

Most Economical

  • Name
    2.5 FHEV 190 Titanium 5dr CVT
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £40,400

Fastest

  • Name
    2.0 EcoBlue 190 Titanium 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £37,250

More on Galaxy

Show me:
New Ford S-MAX and Ford Galaxy hybrid MPVs revealed
Ford S-Max hybrid and Ford Galaxy hybrid
News
9 Feb 2021

New Ford S-MAX and Ford Galaxy hybrid MPVs revealed

The new Ford S-MAX and Galaxy hybrid powertrains reduce the cars’ CO2 emissions by around 10 per cent compared to the equivalent EcoBlue diesel units
Ford Galaxy and S-Max MPVs given mild refresh
Ford Galaxy and S-Max updated
News
8 Oct 2019

Ford Galaxy and S-Max MPVs given mild refresh

New tech, tweaked styling and seats kinder to your spine all introduced to the revised Ford S-Max and Galaxy ranges
Used Ford Galaxy review
Used Ford Galaxy - front
Used car tests
7 May 2019

Used Ford Galaxy review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Ford Galaxy covering the Galaxy Mk2 (2006-2015) and the Galaxy Mk3 (2015-date)
Safest large MPV: Ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy - front cornering
Best cars & vans
18 Jan 2016

Safest large MPV: Ford Galaxy

Safety is important to family buyers, and those after a large seven-seat MPV would be very safe in the Ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy AWD review
Ford Galaxy AWD - front
Road tests
8 Jan 2016

Ford Galaxy AWD review

Four-wheel drive gives seven-seat Ford Galaxy extra grip for winter weather
Safest large MPV - Ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy - front cornering
Best cars & vans
2 Sep 2015

Safest large MPV - Ford Galaxy

Ford Galaxy vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso & SEAT Alhambra
Ford Galaxy vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso & SEAT Alhambra
Car group tests
25 Aug 2015

Ford Galaxy vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso & SEAT Alhambra

We see if Ford’s new Galaxy can divert some of the MPV glare away from award winners from Citroen and SEAT
New Ford Galaxy 2015 review
Ford Galaxy front tracking
Road tests
24 Jun 2015

New Ford Galaxy 2015 review

We get behind the wheel of Ford's updated Galaxy MPV
New 2015 Ford Galaxy kicks off at £26,445 and gets 4WD
News
30 Apr 2015

New 2015 Ford Galaxy kicks off at £26,445 and gets 4WD

Ford reveals full prices and specs of its new Galaxy large MPV, available to order now with an all-wheel drive option.
New 7-seat Ford Galaxy gets more luxury and tech
News
2 Apr 2015

New 7-seat Ford Galaxy gets more luxury and tech

Ford reveals the new Ford Galaxy 7-seater MPV with sharper looks and lots more tech.
Ford Galaxy
In-depth reviews
2 Feb 2015

Ford Galaxy

The Ford Galaxy is bigger, more practical and slightly more luxurious than the S-MAX
Ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy 1.6T front cornering
Car group tests
28 May 2013

Ford Galaxy

The Ford Galaxy is closely related to its seven-seater sister car, the Ford S-MAX.
3. Ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy
Car group tests
29 Dec 2012

3. Ford Galaxy

Ford Galaxy 1.6T
Ford Galaxy 1.6T front cornering
Road tests
14 Sep 2011

Ford Galaxy 1.6T

Is EcoBoost turbo a good match for MPV? We find out
Ford Galaxy TDCi
Ford Galaxy TDCi
Road tests
12 Feb 2010

Ford Galaxy TDCi

Do revisions keep blue oval’s popular MPV at top of the class?
Ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy
In-depth reviews
29 Dec 2006

Ford Galaxy

The Galaxy's blend of car-like handling, great packaging and a neat seating system makes it well suited to most families' needs.
Ford Galaxy 2.0 LX
Road tests
21 Jun 2006

Ford Galaxy 2.0 LX

The Galaxy is not quite perfect, but it is the best people carrier currently on sale.
Ford Galaxy 1.8 TDCi LX
Road tests
24 May 2006

Ford Galaxy 1.8 TDCi LX

With the promise of style and practicality, we've already been impressed by Ford's new Galaxy - but that was in flagship form. Most family buyers will…
Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCi Ghia
Front view of Ford Galaxy Ghia
Road tests
5 Apr 2006

Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCi Ghia

This is one Galaxy that's not so far, far away! Ford's new range-topping MPV the Galaxy Ghia arrives in June
Ford Galaxy
Used car tests
27 Jul 2004

Ford Galaxy

Of all the Nineties' big MPVs, the Ford Galaxy has consistently been a top-seller. Launched in June 1995, it offered impressive new levels of driveabi…