Ford Galaxy Estate (2006 - 2014) practicality

The Galaxy has a top five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating and Ford has worked hard to optimise safety giving a stiff body structure and plenty of safety equipment. There are seven airbags including window airbags that extend to the very rear protecting even those in the third row of seats. Other safety measures include pedals and a steering wheel designed to cause as little damage to the driver as possible in an accident.

A passenger airbag deactivation switch (for use when carrying a child seat) is optional but Isofix anchor points for child seats are standard. Ford added its Blind Spot indicator in 2010. This warns the driver of cars that may not be seen passing via an LED indicator that flashes in the relevant door mirror as a warning.

With all seven seats in place there's not much boot space, just 308 litres - certainly not enough for seven people's luggage. However dropping the two extra seats increases this to a much more useable 435 litres. Folding the chairs themselves is simple and they all fold down thanks to Ford's FFS (Fold Flat System) with just the pull of one handle on each - with all the seats down total load space increases to a van-like 2,325 litres.

Access to the rear seats is good, simply pull the handle on the middle chair and it tilts and slides forward in one go. There's also excellent stowage with 31 separate compartments. In 2010 Ford fitted new sliding roof bars that offer the option of further storage outside of the Galaxy. The Galaxy has 30 per cent more luggage space than the previous model.

The seats also fold more simply, making light work of changing the interior for load carrying. The seats cannot be removed (easily) but can be folded to form a virtually flat load area or one of 32 possible layouts. There are plenty of storage bins and receptacles, while a roof-mounted storage console, fitted on some models, runs centrally the length of the interior with multiple drop-down boxes.

The front seats also feature fold-away trays built into the backs for rear passenger use.