When times get hard, everyone wants more for less and the latest Ford Galaxy is no exception.
The arrival of tougher emissions standards which closely correlate to fuel economy have seen the introduction of the 1.6 EcoBoost SCTi Start & Stop model. But this is no breathless panic reaction to the changes sweeping through the car industry, rather a carefully considered and engineered solution to the issues faced.
The Galaxy is one of the UK’s most popular MPVs and there is a good chance if you have flown away on holiday this year that you were taken to the airport or picked up in a Galaxy because its used by Britain’s biggest transfer fleet. Not only is it a sensible business vehicle but also delights as family transport with its low running costs.
There are over 20 models in the Galaxy family sold in Britain and the latest is the Bridgend-built 1.6 EcoBoost engined models.
You can order in a few trim levels and we tested the upper Titanium X which costs just over £29,350 but which was fitted with £3,000 of extras including sophisticated navigation, safety technology packs and additional comfort features.
The Welsh-made engine plant supplies all of Ford’s European medium-sized petrol engines and the 1.6 EcoBoost is surprisingly good in the seven-seat Galaxy. It starts easily, pulls well even when loaded and it gives the Galaxy a good long-legged gait on the motorway.
It is not a performance MPV but its performance is good. Acceleration and maximum speed are reasonable while the overall economy is what you might expect from a smaller family hatchback.
The Galaxy is much more roomy however with up to seven seats available. Getting into the back pair is best left to children but adults can reach them if they are pliable people.
The front and middle seats are easy to access with wide opening doors and there is very good leg and headroom in these, appreciably more than in the rearmost pair.
The nominal boot space behind the fifth door is wide and high, but not deep and you really need to fold or remove the back seats to gain useful space increases and then you have a very large area if the middle row is stowed away.
The seats are well shaped for support and comfort and the front pair have good adjustment as well and you have some limited movement of the back seats.
Visibility is excellent, helped by the optional camera on the test model, with low waistline, deep windows, big effective wipers and very bright headlights. There is a truly immense panorama roof to flood the interior with light when uncovered.
Oddments room is extremely good throughout with a multitude of compartments, bins, trays and pockets.
Climate control is very effective at keeping the big interior comfortable.
Secondary controls are conveniently laid out and well marked as is the instruments cluster and dials. I liked the touch screen navigation system for its simplicity as well.
The Galaxy’s major controls are well developed with ease of operation for steering, gearchange and brakes and it has a good turning circle and the majors give good feedback as they are used.
Family transport with room to spare The start and stop system is almost unobtrusive but it can be switched off if desired, although that seems to defeat the object of it. Leaving it on will give a slight improvement in economy but more significantly it helps Ford achieve the lower emissions figures in EC tests and these are reflected in tax bandings. The latest 1.6 EcoBoost Ford Galaxy is a surprisingly good all rounder which is not outstanding in performance terms but which is very refined, and sophisticated too when you add in the available options, and it makes a lot of sense in today’s market.
Fast facts:
Ford Galaxy Titanium X 1.6 EcoBoost
Price: £29,355
Mechanical: 4cyl 160ps 1.6 petrol engine, six speed
Performance: 125mph max., 9.9sec 0-62mph
Insurance group: 18E
Fuel consumption: 34mpg
Emissions/ tax: 167gkm/ VED band H
Luggage space: 308 – 2325 litres
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60k Folding rear seats dramatically increases carrying space
