Chances are that if you’re buying a car like this then you’ll want to spend more money on your family than on the car, so for the lowest Ford Galaxy running costs, we’d stick to the diesels.

Not that Ford expects many Galaxys to be fitted with petrol engines, just two percent in fact, the 1.5-litre EcoBoost claims an average fuel economy figure of 26.6-38.2mpg on the WLTP cycle.

Offering the lowest bills are manual gearbox, front-wheel drive 120hp, 150hp and 190hp versions of the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesels. Those fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox claim to achieve between 39.2-52.3mpg. The all-wheel drive version sees this drop down to 35.3-48.7mpg. Looking for an automatic? The 190hp version is the better performer, claiming 35.8-49.6mpg. The 150hp version sees a lower 33.6-49.6mpg, and the all-wheel drive, 190hp version sees this drop down to 31.7-44.8mpg.

The range-topping 240hp twin-turbo diesel claims 32.5-48.7mpg.

Green credentials

As with fuel economy, benefiting from low Ford Galaxy CO2 emissions requires you to opt for one of the diesels with the manual gearbox and two-wheel drive.

Despite being the smallest engine, the 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine emits the highest amount of CO2, ranging between 168-174g/km

With the six-speed manual gearbox, the 120hp EcoBlue diesel emits between 135-138g/km, while the 150hp and 190hp versions emit between 134-139g/km.

When it comes to the all-wheel drive versions, the 150hp engine produces 155-159g/km and the 190hp emits 159-162g/km.

Choose the automatic gearbox and the 150hp version emits 140-142g/km. The 190hp ranges between 137-143g/km, while the most powerful 240hp emits 258-160g/km.

Reliability

Beneath the expansive bodywork are underpinnings and mechanical components primarily shared with the Mondeo but plenty of others in the range too, suggesting Ford Galaxy reliability should be a strong point.

People carriers tend to suffer a larger degree of interior abuse than most cars as inquisitive kids let their hands wander, pulling and prodding the various bits of trim. Thankfully the Galaxy feels robust and the upholstery and carpets are treated with a stain-resistant coating to improve their longevity.