The Ford Galaxy is a true people carrier – the latest in a line of MPVs that first appeared back in 1995. As the name implies, space is a significant aspect of this large car, which can seat seven adults in comfort. It’s one of the few traditional MPVs remaining on the market, competing with the SEAT Alhambra and Volkswagen Sharan twins.

If you need passenger space and don’t want a tall SUV, though, there are some alternatives – the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, SsangYong Turismo and Mercedes-Benz V-Class could be considered.

And yes, it is all-new – the Galaxy’s evolutionary styling, much of which is shared with the (slightly) smaller Ford S-Max, rides on the same underpinnings as the latest Mondeo family, sharing many of its engines too.

Still the space champion?

Everything you can see, inside and out, about the Ford Galaxy is all new, yet the visual link to its predecessor is clear. After the introduction of the S-Max, however, Ford chose to let the Galaxy expand a little more, and with increased space the interior was also taken further upmarket.

As well as a greater emphasis on luxury, Ford believes the extra space in the third row of seats will appeal to families with older children, or who regularly transport adults. This is an MPV which can seat seven in comfort without resorting to commercial vehicle handling or refinement.

It’s easier to live with than other people carriers, especially if you choose a Titanium specification model and opt for the related Family Pack which includes electrically-folding middle and rear row seats; that back row can also be raised at the touch of a button.

More comfort-biased than the S-Max, the latest Galaxy remains one of the more engaging cars to drive in this segment, although it feels more at home cruising smooth highways than tackling a series of B-road S-bends.

Equipment, specs and tech

It’s no great surprise that the Ford Galaxy comes in three familiar trim levels: Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X.

Even the Zetec could hardly be described as entry-level, with 17-inch alloy wheels, Ford Sync3 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, complete with Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio and Apple CarPlay, electrically-folding mirrors and dual-zone climate control among the highlights.

While each version is well-equipped for its price point, there’s a bulging catalogue of optional extras to further increase the Galaxy’s convenience and safety credentials.

Adaptive LED headlights with ‘glare free’ technology, a front camera, self-levelling rear suspension and adaptive cruise control are expected to be among the more popular choices.

New EcoBlue diesel engine and automatic gearbox from 2018

A new range of diesel engines was introduced to provide better efficiency, refinement and a wider selection of performance options. The 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine consisted of 120hp, 150hp or 190hp versions, with a range-topping 240hp twin-turbo version for high spec models. A six-speed manual is standard on most, but an eight-speed automatic gearbox is available on all bar the 120hp version. These models also adopt the rotary gear selector first seen in the smaller Focus hatchback.

It’s worth noting the least and most powerful engines were short-lived, however, only being on sale for the best part of a year until September 2019.

For those seeking a petrol engine, the 1.5-litre Ecoboost with 165hp was added at the end of 2018, before being axed by September 2019.

Redesigned looks and added tech for 2019

Following the introduction of the latest generation EcoBlue diesel engines into the range, the Ford Galaxy received a further update in an effort to keep up with its competitors – chiefly through its looks and technology within the car.

In terms of the exterior, the Galaxy bears a slight resemblance to the upcoming Puma SUV, with a tweaked grille and bumper design. New 19-inch alloy wheels were also made available as an option.

Inside, 18-way adjustable front seats were made available on Zetec and Titanium versions and claims to help those who suffer with back pain, while the optional FordPass Connect system allows the driver to access the Ford Pass app to check on features such as oil life, alarm status, fuel levels and the ability to remote lock or unlock the vehicle.

• Hybrid version of the Galaxy available from February 2021
• Search Parkers for new and used Ford Galaxy cars for sale

Read on for the full Parkers Ford Galaxy review