Overall verdict

If you can liken high-riding seven-seat SUVs to a luxury chocolate bar, then the equally practical Ford Galaxy has more in common with a Milky Way than its fancy namesake. It’s far from the poshest MPV on sale, but it’s affordable and tasty enough to enjoy every day. 

That said, the Ford Galaxy has recently undergone a few nips and tucks to help keep it looking fresh, including some new alloy wheels and revamped interior tech. 

Unfortunately, while the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is much easier to use than the old car’s frustratingly fiddly unit, it’s still a bit trickier to use than the system you get in a VW Sharan. That said, you can get it with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring to get around having to use Ford’s system. 

Sadly, there isn’t much you can do to spice up the Galaxy’s rather lacklustre cabin. It doesn’t feel quite as plush as in a VW Sharan and it loses out in the looks department to the futuristic design you’ll find in a Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer. At least everything’s laid out nice and sensibly though, and you can get 18-way electrically adjustable front seats to help make long journeys as relaxing as possible.

The Ford Galaxy probably won’t wow you with its slightly dated interior and unassuming looks, but prepared to be impressed by its super roomy interior and massive boot

Things are equally comfortable in the Ford Galaxy’s sliding and reclining middle seats. There’s enough space for three adults to side side-by-side without rubbing elbows or scrabbling for foot space. 

Getting into the Ford Galaxy’s rearmost seats is dead easy, and there’s even space for adults to sit fairly comfortably without feeling too claustrophobic thanks to the large windows. 

Even with all seven seats in place, there’s enough space in the Ford Galaxy’s boot for a weekly shop. Fold all but the front seats down and it has a load bay big enough to put some vans to shame. 

If carrying plenty of heavy loads sounds like something you’ll be doing regularly, you’ll want to pick a Galaxy with a 190hp 2.0-litre diesel engine. There’s also a 150hp 2.0-litre diesel model that’s a better bet if you spend more time in town. Both can be had with an automatic – instead of the standard six-speed manual – gearbox to help take the stress out of long drives in stop-start traffic, but only automatic versions come with the option of adaptive cruise control that matches your speed to other cars. 

The Ford Galaxy is dead easy to drive, whichever engine you pick. Its light controls and good visibility mean it’s pretty easy to park and its suspension does a decent job ironing out bumps and potholes. 

It doesn’t feel quite as nimble as the oddly agile S-Max on a twisty country road, but the Ford Galaxy feels more sure-footed than most MPVs. As a result, it makes a good choice if you’re looking for a spacious family-focused seven-seater that comes with a decent amount of standard kit and a massive boot, yet still drives like a small-ish car. 

See how much you can save by visiting our new car deals pages or read on for our in-depth interior, practicality and driving Ford Galaxy review sections.