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Ford Galaxy (2010 - 2015)

The independent definitive Ford Galaxy (2010-2015) video review

This is a sample, showing 30 seconds of each section.

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    Introductionword count: 109

    The Ford Galaxy has, by dint of sheer doggedness, become the standard by which large MPVs are judged. It's a hardy perennial of the sector, always there or thereabouts when challenging for class honours, representing a durable benchmark from which rivals measure their success or failure. Used buyers have long recognised the Galaxy's qualities. Yes, there are more adventurously styled MPVs and there are others with more prestigious badges but for sheer breadth of ability and the unerring capacity to hit the marks that really matter for family buyers, the Galaxy's been hard to beat. Here's what to look for when tracking down a post-2010 facelifted Mk II version.

    Modelsword count: 12

    five-door MPV - (2.0 petrol, 2.0 diesel [Zetec, Titanium, Titanium X] )

    Historyword count: 212

    In its genesis, the Ford Galaxy was one third of a joint partnership that included Volkswagen and SEAT. As is often the case, three in a relationship was an issue and the Autoeuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal never really nailed down the quality issues that any of the three marques experienced. Ford needed a greater level of control and the Mk III Galaxy, introduced in 2006, was a wholly in-house affair, built alongside its S-MAX sibling at the Genk plant in Belgium. Fast forward to 2010 and it was time for the Galaxy to get a reworking in what remained a fast moving market sector. With revised exterior design, upgraded interior materials and features, a range of more efficient powertrains and a host of driver-focused technologies aimed at improving safety and comfort, this was more than your usual lights, grille and bumper refresh. The all-new 2.0-litre 203PS EcoBoost petrol engine joined the fray alongside 115, 140 and 163PS 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engines. Additionally, the Ford PowerShift twin clutch transmission was introduced as standard on the EcoBoost petrol engine and as a cost option with the 2.0 140PS and 2.0 163PS Duratorq diesels. A Blind Spot Information System was also debuted. These updates carried the Galaxy through to its replacement in 2015.

    What You Getword count: 415

    Personally, we're not at all sure that this Galaxy isn't actually better looking than its sleeker S-MAX stablemate - but that's just an opinion. Certainly, the cosmetic changes that Ford made as part of this MK2 model's facelift didn't do its good looks any harm. There was a smarter, more sculpted bonnet, a more distinctive front grille with chrome inserts and revised front foglamps, plus trendy daytime running lights on plusher versions. The roof got bolder silver rails, while redesigned LED taillights adorned the rear. But what really matter to used buyers is how this car performs as a family workhorse. Well, we've tested it on trips long and short, laden and unladen, packed with kids and loaded with luggage and there are a few things we've noticed. The excellent ride quality, for example, is particularly useful when it comes to avoiding car sickness in small passengers. Then there's the way that the huge glass area lights up the cabin and ensures that everyone gets a clear view out. It also means excellent visibility from behind the wheel from where it's easy to find the ideal driving position thanks to the amount of seat and wheel adjustment provided. Rather ambitiously, Ford wanted this car to appeal not only to someone who might be considering a large people carrier but also to owners of prestigiously-badged executive estates, hence the high quality of fit and finish around the cabin. In the rear middle row, there's decent room for three adults and the width of the cabin comes in handy if you're trying, for example, to fit three child seats back there. Even as an adult cooped up in the in the back row, there's little feeling of claustrophobia, with the Galaxy's designers having made good use of the space available, the 6 inches of height this car gains over its S-MAX stablemate being put to good use. The cabin floor even slopes up slightly towards the rear so that people in the back can see what's going on up front. When you're not using third or second row seating, the innovative FoldFlatSystem (which offers no fewer than 32 seating permutations) enables all rearward chairs to retract flush into the floor to present a vast double bed-sized 2325-litre flat load area (325-litres more than you'd get in an S-MAX) with lashing points to keep stuff in place if you do fail to resist this Ford's sporty character. Even with all 7 seats occupied, there's still 308-litres on offer.

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    Scoring (subset of scores)

    Category: MPV People Carriers

    Performance
    70%
    Handling
    90%
    Comfort
    80%
    Space
    80%
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