Summary
The Ford Galaxy was a large seven-seat people carrier, which was sold in the UK from 2015 to 2024. This was the third and final generation for the Galaxy model, not replaced after production ended due to falling demand for MPV-style vehicles.
Large seven-seat people carriers have largely been superseded by SUVs, but the Galaxy soldiered on long after most similar vehicles had been retired, with strong loyalty from large families and commercial users such as airport transfer operators.
Several powertrain options were offered over the decade-long production run, with petrol, diesel and hybrid versions. There was even an all-wheel-drive model available. Reviews tended to favour the diesel engine with an auto gearbox for smooth progress with no hassle.
Ford cars are usually praised for their chassis and the Galaxy maintained this trend, built on the underpinnings of the Mondeo. Most reviewers praised both the ride quality and handling, finding it surprisingly agile for something so big. Parkers commented: “This is an MPV which can seat seven comfortably without resorting to commercial vehicle handling or refinement.”
The space and flexibility of the interior also scored with the testers – the Titanium trim level ticked most boxes, especially with a ‘Family Pack’ option which featured electric folding of the big seats.
Ford kept pace with evolving technology over the Galaxy’s production run, with regular upgrades in terms of infotainment and such. However, most reviewers tended to compare the Galaxy with its slightly smaller sibling, the Ford S-Max, and sided with the smaller MPV as a better-value option that was more engaging to drive. They also highlighted the Galaxy’s image, wondering if private owners really wanted to look as if they were doing an airport taxi run…
As of February 2025, the Ford Galaxy has a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 58%. Despite positive media reviews and low CO2 emissions, the Galaxy scores poorly for reliability and is only average on running costs, which are weighted more heavily in our used car ratings.
Galaxy highlights
- Full seven-seat space
- Flexible interior with slide and fold seats
- Drives well for its size
- Upright driving position
Galaxy lowlights
- Despite upgrades, design dated
- Expensive to buy
- Not as dynamic as Ford S-Max
- Personality of an airport taxi
Key specifications
Body style: Large seven-seat MPV
Engines: diesel, petrol-electric hybrid
Price when new: From £40,725 on-road
Launched: Summer 2015
Last updated: Spring 2021
Ended production: Spring 2024
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Ford Galaxy offers acres of space for seven, and loads of tech on top models.”
Read review
Model reviewed: All-wheel drive
Score: 6 / 10
“Very few cars in this class have four-wheel drive, so the Galaxy fills a niche where Ford clearly sees potential – but for most people we’d recommend the standard front-wheel-drive model, and we’d push those who do want to head off-road in the direction of a Land Rover Discovery Sport.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Take our advice and ignore the slightly tarnished taxi airport run image, because the Ford Galaxy is one of the best full-sized seven-seat MPVs money can buy. Although it’s a big old bus, it never feels like it from behind the wheel.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual
Score: 8 / 10
“At the right points in the range, the Galaxy is hard to beat if you need the largest of MPVs.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mk3 Ford Galaxy is an impressively well-executed large people carrier. It’s seriously spacious inside, even in the third row, there are acres of cubby storage, and it handles far more tidily than a people carrier of this size really should.”
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“You will have to pay a premium to have the Ford Galaxy on your driveway, even more than the prestige-badged Volkswagen Sharan in fact. But whereas most of its competition merely ticks boxes, the Galaxy goes above and beyond and offers a plethora of features that really make it stand out.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Ford Galaxy is a seriously practical MPV that finds favour with families and chauffeurs and drives well.”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Ford Galaxy isn’t the most exciting seven-seater out there, but it’s affordable, very practical and even pretty good to drive.”
Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual Titanium
“The Ford Galaxy is expensive and as the sales figures show, not popular with the private punter. However, if the money doesn’t put you off and you’ve never fallen out of love with the MPV concept, the Galaxy is one of the best people carriers out there.”
Read review
Eurekar
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Admittedly, it’s not going to be on every motorist’s wish-list, but for anyone looking for an accomplished people mover that still offers plenty of techno treats and creature comforts along the way, the Ford Galaxy has proved its years of experience really do count.”
Read review
Fleetworld
Model reviewed: Range overview
“A backbone of business travel in the UK, the Ford Galaxy is perfectly tailored to a segment defined by practicality and comfort, and hard to beat.”
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Judged on being a seven-seater, the Ford Galaxy would get close to top marks. The flexible seating arrangement is superb, while there’s enough space for seven adults to sit in comfort. It’s also reasonably good to drive, with enough toys to make life as a ‘mum or dad taxi driver’ a more pleasurable experience.”
Read review
Motors
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Galaxy is truly one of the best driving MPVs currently on sale. For such a tall car, it handles corners extremely well and feels really quite agile. With regards to the ride, it’s very smooth. Bumps are dealt with well — the suspension absorbs even the harshest of uneven road surfaces fantastically.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Class-leading, but increasingly in a class of its own.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“A big step up from the old one, but still overshadowed by the brilliant S-Max. The Ford MPV to have if absolute space is all. if it’s not, then eyes left…”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2015
Date expired: January 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 87%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 79%
Safety assist: 71%
Notes on safety rating
The Ford Galaxy was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2015 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2022 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Galaxy to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Ford Galaxy was not tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 251
Average repair cost: £894.63
Last updated: October 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Ford Galaxy has a poor reliability score of just 26% as of October 2024 (our most recent data point), according to exclusive workshop and warranty data provided by our partner, MotorEasy.
In addition, the average repair bill to data is almost £900, which is a lot more than the cost of a used car warranty. Certainly worth keeping in mind if you own a Galaxy or are looking at buying a used one.
The problems are spread across all car systems. Most concerning is that many claims relate to gearbox problems, which have an average repair bill of almost £2,700.
Given the below-average reliability score and potentially expensive bills, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase for a Ford Galaxy covers all of these potential problem areas. Also worth remembering is that many warranties are for personal use of a vehicle only, so if you’re running a Galaxy for your business (and, let’s face it, most of them are used as taxis), make sure you have a warranty that covers business use.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Ford Galaxy has received
2015
- Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best MPV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford Galaxy, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer | Citroën SpaceTourer | Ford S-Max | Ford Tourneo Custom | Mercedes-Benz V-Class | Peugeot Traveller | Toyota Proace Verso | Vauxhall Vivaro Life | Volkswagen Sharan | Volkswagen Caravelle
Buy a Ford Galaxy
If you’re looking to buy a used Ford Galaxy, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more