Name: Ford Galaxy (2015 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Ford Galaxy
Rating: 61

Summary

The Ford Galaxy, the third generation of which went on sale in 2015 and was updated in 2020, is the standard-bearer of a dying breed. Large seven-seat people-carriers have largely been superseded by SUVs, but the Galaxy keeps going, as popular with large families as commercial users such as airport transfer operators.

Today there are six powertrain options available, a 1.5 and 2.0-litre petrol and a range of 2.0-litre diesels. A hybrid Galaxy is on the way but there’s no indication yet of a full-electric version. There’s even an all-wheel-drive model available but heavily biased to the front. Reviews tend to favour the diesel with an auto gearbox for smooth progress with no hassle.

Ford cars are usually praised for their chassis and the Galaxy maintains this trend, built on the underpinnings of the Mondeo – all reviewers mark up the ride quality and even the handling for something so big, Parkers commenting; “This is an MPV which can seat seven in comfort without resorting to commercial vehicle handling or refinement.”

The space and flexibility of the interior also scores with the testers – the Titanium trim level ticks most boxes, especially with a ‘Family Pack’ option which features electric folding of the big seats.

Ford has kept pace with technology, the Galaxy getting the latest upgrades in terms of infotainment and such. But most reviewers tend to compare the Galaxy with its more recently launched sibling, the Ford S-Max, and side with the younger MPV as a better-value option that is more engaging to drive. They also highlight the Galaxy’s image, wondering if private owners really want to look as if they are doing an airport taxi run…

As of January 2024, the Ford Galaxy has a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 61%. As a used car, it doesn’t fare quite so well, with a rating of D and a score of 58%. The Galaxy scores poorly for both reliability and running costs, which are weighted more heavily in our used car ratings.

More Ford ratings, reviews, news and features

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: From £40,725 on-road

Launched: Summer 2015
Last updated: Spring 2021
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons 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

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Galaxy is a seven-seat MPV that’s surprisingly easy to place on the road, despite its size. It isn’t cheap though.”
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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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Motors.co.uk+

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.”
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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…”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Galaxy is a brilliant large MPV that doesn’t impose many compromises. With its huge boot and spacious seven seats it fulfils the same practical role as rivals such as the Volkswagen Sharan, but is quieter and more composed on the road.”
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 crash 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

As of January 2024, the Ford Galaxy has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. Given that it’s a very old model now, it’s unlikely to be tested before production is wound up.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 235
Average repair cost: £926.22
Last updated: January 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 27% as of January 2024, according to exclusive workshop and warranty data provided by our partner, MotorEasy.

In addition, the average repair bill to data is more than £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 systems on the car. Most concerning is that a high number of claims relate to gearbox problems, which have an average repair bill of almost £2,800.

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

True rivals to the Ford Galaxy are disappearing rapidly with the decline of the large people-carrier. The Volkswagen Sharan is still around, while other contenders include the Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer. There are also several van-based options that are more spacious but less car-like to drive. But the Galaxy’s biggest rival comes from within, the rather more modern and more fun-to-drive Ford S-Max.