Model tested: Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCi 140PS 6sp Ghia
Price: £23,995
Date tested: January 2008
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Overall rating: 85%
The Galaxy has been one of the most popular seven-seaters since its launch in 1995. This, the second generation Galaxy, spawned the S-Max. THat grabs the headlines for its cool image, but the Galaxy is more practical.

1. Looks
The Galaxy's front is as sleek as Ford's other MPVs, and its rear lights give a nod to the Mondeo saloon. The Galaxy looks huge on the outside, but as a result Ford has been able to maximise interior space.
8/10

2. Looks inside
The Galaxy's dashboard is well designed and has a premium feel, with a centre console that sweeps between the two front seats. The view from the second row of seats is equally pleasant, while the third row of seats lifts out of the floor.
10/10

3. Practicality
Seven seats grabs the headlines, but it's the storage space which really impresses. There are cubbyholes galore, more storage on top of the dash, in the centre console and doors plus elsewhere. The seats fold into the floor – boot space grows from 367 to 2,095 litres depending on the number of seats folded.
9/10

4. Ride and Handling
The Galaxy shares many major components with the excellent Mondeo saloon, so inherits a good chassis. There's less bodyroll than you'd expect, and the steering offers a good level of feedback.
8/10

5. Performance
The 2-litre diesel engine comes in 128bhp and 138bhp guises offering 0-62mph in 11.8 and 9.9 seconds and top speeds of 116 and 120mph.
8/10

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6. Running Costs
Average fuel consumption is 38.1mpg for the 2-litre 128bhp; insurance is group 10 while CO2 emissions are 166g/km placing the car in tax band E, costing £165 annually.
8/10

7. Reliability
This incarnation of the Ford Galaxy hasn't been around long enough for many common problems to emerge. It feels like a premium product, and vastly improved over Fords of old.
8/10

8. Safety
The Galaxy has a five-star EuroNCAP rating, and offers the full range of airbags, including front side, side curtain and driver's knee 'bags. All seats have three-point seatbelts.
10/10

9. Equipment
All Galaxys have air-con, heated electric wing mirrors, electric front windows, ESP and a heated windscreen. The Ghia also has 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, electric rear windows, front and rear park sensors, automatic headlights and wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror and cruise control.
8/10

10. X-Factor
It's the MPV which feels like a quality saloon car with massive levels of storage space. There's little to rival it for everyday usability for large families.
8/10