Buyingcars
Ford Galaxy Mk2
NEED TO KNOW
NEED TO KNOW
The 1.8 TDCi engine was offered with five or six-speed manual gearboxes; the latter is the one to go for.
The facelifted Galaxy (from 2010) came with an optional blind spot warning system, which is worth having.
BUYER’S GUIDE: Ford Galaxy Mk2 FROM £3,500 Get a lot for your money with second-hand seven-seater Richard Dredge
EVER since Ford introduced its first Galaxy in 1995, the model has been one of the UK’s best-selling people carriers. It’s not hard to see why. With a healthy dose of standard kit, a range of great engines and excellent dynamics, the Galaxy is far better than the van-with-windows MPV stereotype might have you believe. The Galaxy offers the practicality and versatility you’d expect, there’s a dealer in every town and you also get a reasonable level of reliability, although the odd glitch has arisen as these cars age. But in typical Ford fashion you get an immense amount for your money, so whatever your budget – even if it’s less than £5,000 – there’s a Galaxy within reach.
History
THE second-generation Ford Galaxy went on sale in June 2006 with a choice of a 2.0-litre petrol engine and either 123bhp 1.8 or 141bhp 2.0-litre TDCi diesels. By September 2007 a 2.3-litre petrol had been added to
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the line-up (which came in automatic form only), then in March 2008 a 2.2 TDCi diesel was introduced, alongside a Flexifuel option for the 2.0-litre petrol engine. This allowed the car to be run on E85 bio-ethanol as well as petrol, although there were few takers. A facelift in April 2010 brought a tweaked design, plus new engines: a 200bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol alongside 113bhp and 161bhp versions of the 2.0 TDCi Duratorq diesel. From this point on the trim levels ran Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X.
Which one?
THE Galaxy is a big car, so the only engines that make sense are the diesels. Aim for at least a 1.8 TDCi as the 1.6 (from 2011) struggles once the car is fully loaded. All Galaxys come with a reasonable amount of standard kit, but aim for a highspec model as there are plenty available. The pre-facelift Galaxy was offered in LX (renamed Edge in 2008), Zetec and Ghia forms, with all cars featuring a heated windscreen as standard, plus air-con
and electric front windows. The Zetec adds alloys, climate control and powered rear windows, while the Ghia comes with cruise control, plus automatic lights and wipers.
rivals comes from Ford’s own stable, however. The brand’s S-MAX is sportier, cheaper and more fun to drive, while offering nearly as much usable space.
Alternatives
Verdict
ONE of the most capable seven-seater MPVs around is the Kia Sedona, which is reliable, extremely spacious and very affordable, too. It’s not as good to drive as the Ford, though, and it’s not as versatile, either. The Chrysler Grand Voyager offers acres of space and practicality galore, but the interior feels cheap in places and the dynamics aren’t that impressive. The current SEAT Alhambra and VW Sharan are more impressive than the Galaxy as they’re spacious and versatile, and come with some excellent engines and sliding rear doors. One of the biggest
FORD doesn’t make many bad cars, and the Galaxy is every bit as capable as its siblings. Spacious, well equipped, good to drive and comfortable, it promises much – and largely delivers. Ever since it arrived, the Galaxy Mk2 has notched up one award after another, including gongs for its safety and security. It was crowned Auto Express’s Best MPV when it went on sale in 2006, thanks to its blend of value and versatility. But as you can see from our Driver Power surveys, reliability can be an issue, so check any potential purchase before committing.
“You get an immense amount for your money, so whatever your budget, there’s a Galaxy within reach” www.autoexpress.co.uk
