Ford Galaxy – larger Titanium version is worth every penny

By Gerry Murphy

Among the big seven-seat MPVs on the market and even within Ford’s own catalogue, the Galaxy is a shining star. Here is a car that provides practical space for larger families, and in its Titanium form, it is a chariot that is loaded with goodies that makes motoring both entertaining and safe for the whole family.

Structurally, this is a big car and while it is not easy to make the shape look great, Ford designers have made a good fist of it by adding clever streamlining and subtle creases that make it one of the sharper on the eye of any MPV around. The Titanium version, the car on test, has a few additional detais, and attractive alloy wheels that give it the more premium look that you would expect for the price.

Inside, there is little to complain about. The layout and adjustments of all seven seats means that all on board can have a comfortable journey, even in the third row which is not often the case in such cars. Of course, Ford offer two cars in the realm, the S-Max being the other, but I have always enjoyed the Galaxy more than it, and with the new version, that view has not changed. It is bigger and more expensive but, to me, it is worth the extra money and is more practical.

From the inside looking out, the Galaxy offers all passenger exceptional visibility. The windscreen is huge and the positioning of the A pillars give the driver a good field of view. All round, there is larger glazed areas, giving passengers more visibility too and adding to the brightness of the cabin.

As with all MPVs, the Galaxy’s seating set-up allow you to manipulate the space in the car by folding either or all rows of seats to create van-like space for the carrying vast amounts of cargo. This is easily done in this car and in different formations to make space available for bulky or long items, where the need arises.

The five-door Ford Galaxy Titanium on test was fitted with the 2.0 TDCi, 180PS engine, a six-speed manual gearbox providing all the power needed to pull the car whether loaded with passengers or not. Fuel consumption came in at a very reasonable 6.2L/100 and with CO2 emissions of 129g/km the annual road tax bill comes in at €270.

Standard features includes: Ford Sync Generation 2 with 8” Touchscreen, Keyless Start, Electric Handbrake and Hill Launch Assist. You also get Automatic Lights and Wipers, a Quick Clear Heated windscreen, Lane Keeping Aid and Traffic Sign Recognition. Air conditioning is available to all rows of seats and the car is fitted with Cruise Control with Intelligent Speed Limiter, Front & Rear Parking Sensor and 18” Alloy Wheels.

What makes the Galaxy one of the most competent in the sector is the handling of this big car. Ford’s reputation for drivability across all their car range continues here. Despite its size, there is a defined sense of confidence when driving it on all sorts of roads.

Entry price for Ford Galaxy start from €38,860. The Titanium model in its basic form starts at €47,010, while the model on test including additional options would set you back €57,930.

Demand for big MPVs has diminished in recent years, mostly because of the growing desire for SUVs, but for those who require the extra seating and those who want the flexibility offered by an MPV, then the Galaxy is one of the champions of the segment.