Ford Galaxy (2015 – 2023) Review

April 2015

New Ford Galaxy revealed

On same wheelbase as S-MAX, sharing what has become the company's trademark 'Aston Martin' grille and, with its greater height, offering room for seven adults to travel in comfort.

Ford claims a "segment-first feature" of electrically operated 2nd and 3rd-row seats that can be raised or dropped individually at the push of a button. Front seat passengers have the option of massaging Ford Multi-Contour Seats, while integral link rear suspension that offers a smoother, quieter ride for rear seat passengers.

Like the S-MAX, an Intelligent Speed Limiter, can be activated to recognise speed limit signs and adjust the speed of the car accordingly. Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection reduces the severity of some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians, or helps drivers avoid some impacts altogether. Glare-Free Highbeam technology of adaptive LED headlamps detects vehicles ahead and fades out light that could dazzle oncoming drivers, while retaining maximum illumination for other areas. Ford Adaptive Steering technology adjusts the steering ratio according to speed to optimise manoeuvrability and precision. While Ford's latest fuel-efficient diesel engines, include the new 210PS bi-turbo 2.0-litre TDCi.

Importantly, instead of the 6-speed 6DCT450 dual wet clutch Poweshift transmission previously fitted, for the 2.0 EcoBoost SCTI 240 engine, Ford switched over to the 6F35 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission which it developed jointly with General Motors. This transmission was originally released in 2008 in the 2009 Ford Escape and 2009 Mercury Mariner.

A flat load floor makes it easier to load large or bulky items, and the ability to slide and recline second- and third-row seats individually means seating and loadspace combinations are as easy to tailor to the school run as for trips to the airport. Beneath the load deck floor the new Cargo Management System offers 20 litres of hidden storage, and helps to carry taller items.

Passengers can store 1.5-litre drink bottles in door bins, and under-seat storage provides easy access for everything from laptop computers to books or snacks. Further stowage is available in the instrument panel top, and a media storage area for mobile phones and audio devices is incorporated into the centre stack. Parents will appreciate a standard child-watch mirror, positioned to offer a wide-angle view of the passenger seats.

Second- and third-row passengers also benefit from up to 10mm more headroom than in the 2006-2015 Galaxy and the third-row seat offers more space than key competitors, with up to 40mm more headroom. Elbow and shoulder-room are optimised by retaining the traditional swing-open rear door design. Third-row occupants also can make themselves feel more at home with their own armrest storage bins and cup-holders.

One touch access to the third row is provided with easy-entry second-row seats that tilt and slide forward in a single action, and a recessed floor design that makes getting in and out of the car easier for passengers. A double seal helps the inner panel stay clean and reduces the risk of passengers dirtying their clothes by brushing against the car exterior when getting in or out.

Rear seat passengers can select their own climate settings with a dedicated climate system and their own controls. The interior is also kept cool in sunny weather with solar-tinted glass that blocks ultra-violet light and heat from the cabin.

Ford's integral link rear suspension delivers the compliance required for greater comfort, while retaining lateral stiffness for enhanced steering and handling. Also introduced to all-new Mondeo and all-new S-MAX, it allows the wheel to move further rearwards on impact with bumps. This delivers improved impact absorption for a smoother ride and reduced noise levels. The integral link rear suspension design features aluminium lower control arms that reduce weight by 2 kilogrammes. Aluminium front knuckles with enclosed wheel bearings improve stiffness for sharper responses. The 2015 Galaxy also is offered with self-levelling rear suspension that maintains optimal ride height for comfort and handling.

Dampers and springs are tuned specifically for Galaxy, and the model continues to offer Continuous Control Damping that helps tailor suspension with "comfort," "normal" and "sport" chassis settings. Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) also enables steering weight to adapt to match these settings.

The all-new Galaxy also is among the first vehicles to benefit from Ford Adaptive Steering technology that makes the seven-seater easier to manoeuvre in town, and deliver greater steering precision at higher speeds. The introduction of EPAS also enables Torque Steer Compensation and Active Nibble Compensation systems that cancel out unwanted feedback, forces and vibration.

Sound-deadening material within the underbody shields, wheel arch liners and front and rear doors, and more extensive use of closed-section body structure components contribute to a quieter cabin. Acoustic glass for the windshield and side windows also helps reduce wind noise and environmental noise.

2015 Galaxy technologies also make parking easier: Perpendicular Parking can detect and reverse the car hands-free into spaces alongside other cars in the same way that Active Park Assist helps drivers to parallel park. Park-Out Assist helps drivers exit a parallel parking space, the system operating the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake. Side Parking Aid delivers audible alerts and on-screen distance indicators to obstacles around the vehicle. Cross Traffic Alert warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them. Front Split View Camera enhances the driver's field of vision when pulling out of a parking space or junction with a 180 degree camera system installed at the front of the Galaxy, and displays the image on the 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen in the centre console

Further driver assistance technologies offered with the 2015 Galaxy include Blind Spot Information System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid and Driver Alert.

Ford SYNC 2 with Voice Control enables drivers to operate phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems using simple conversational language. A useful tool for family road trips or holidays, drivers can even bring up a list of local restaurants by saying: "I'm hungry" or search for attractions and points of interest by name.

SYNC 2 also features Emergency Assistance, which directly connects the vehicle occupants to local emergency services operators after an accident, in the correct language for the region.

The Hands-Free Liftgate can be opened or closed using a kicking motion beneath the rear bumper when hands are full or congtrolling toddlers. Further convenience is delivered with standard power heated door mirrors for frosty mornings and electric parking brake with Hill Launch Assist.

The 2015 Galaxy is available with Ford's new 210PS 2.0-litre TDCi Bi-turbo diesel engine that offers enhanced responsiveness and 450Nm of torque from 2,000rpm.

Ford's enhanced 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with single variable geometry turbocharger technology is offered with 120PS, 150PS and 180PS, featuring a revised engine block, new cylinder-head and fuel injection designs, and lean NO X trap exhaust after-treatment system for cleaner emissions.

Petrol engine options include Ford's fuel-efficient 160PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost and 240PS 2.0-litre EcoBoost. The entire Galaxy engine range meets Euro Stage VI emissions standards.

CO 2 emissions and fuel efficiency enhanced using Smart Regenerative Charging, which selectively engages the alternator and charges the battery when the vehicle is coasting and braking to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost - reducing engine load for less fuel usage; Auto-Start-Stop, which automatically shuts down the engine when the vehicle is at idle and restarts the engine when the driver wants to move off; Active Grille Shutter, which improves aerodynamics and optimises airflow for engine cooling

The 2015 Galaxy has second-row seat side airbags, in addition to the driver and front-passenger, driver-knee, and first-, second- and third-row curtain airbags. Second-row seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters enhance rear passenger safety. There are seatbelt minders for all three rows.

MyKey technology enables owners to programme a key that can inhibit incoming phone calls; restrict top speed; prevent deactivation of driver assistance and safety features; reduce audio system maximum volume, and disable the audio system altogether if occupants are not using safety belts.

Vehicle stability also is enhanced with Curve Control and Roll Stability Control systems that adjust engine torque and braking to help drivers maintain control. Pedestrian safety is further enhanced with concealed wipers designed to limit injuries from head impacts.

September 2015

Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) now available in the Galaxy.

September 2018

New engines for Ford Galaxy

Now available with Ford’s 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine. 6-speed dual wet clutch Getrag Powershift transmission replaced with an advanced new 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission controlled using a stylish and ergonomic Rotary Gear Shift Dial instead of fore/aft selector lever.

By year end, both Ford S-MAX and Galaxy ranges will add 1.5 EcoBoost 165PS petrol engines to their powertrain line-ups.

Available for the Ford S-MAX and Galaxy with 120PS, 150PS and 190PS power outputs – and with 240PS in bi-turbo form – the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine delivers the power, torque and driving performance of a larger capacity engine.

A six-speed manual transmission is also offered for S-MAX and Galaxy models, and both vehicles can be equipped with Ford’s Intelligent All Wheel Drive technology, which measures how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface and can adjust torque delivery up to 50/50 between the front and rear wheels in under 20 milliseconds – twenty times quicker than it takes to blink. The system seamlessly transitions torque between all four wheels and provides a more secure footing on the road especially in slippery conditions.

The eight-speed automatic transmission enables ACC, which helps the S-MAX and Galaxy maintain a comfortable driving distance from vehicles ahead, to be enhanced with Stop & Go, which brings the vehicle to a complete halt in stop-start traffic, and automatically pulls away if the stopping duration is less than three seconds. For stopping durations greater than three seconds, the driver can push a steering wheel button or gently apply the accelerator pull away.

Both models’ BLIS technology is now able to warn sooner of vehicles approaching the driver’s blind spot at higher closing speeds. Using new Variable Rear Range functionality, BLIS can now detect vehicles up to 18 metres behind.

In addition, the new Ford ClearView Front Wiper System helps drivers clear a dirty windscreen more effectively using multiple washer-jets mounted within the wiper arm – improving visibility in challenging driving conditions while using screen-wash fluid more efficiently.

For drivers of right-hand drive models, the electric parking brake switch in both models is relocated to the driver’s side of the centre console, for more comfortable deployment. Drivers can also view vehicle information more clearly with a 4-inch, LCD, colour instrument cluster display as standard. A sophisticated 10-inch, customisable digital screen with animated analogue-style speedometer and rev-counter is also available.

October 2019

Ford Galaxy updated for 2020 model year

New Ford Galaxy models are now more easily distinguished with unique front-end designs. FordPass Connect on-board modem technology is also now offered on the Galaxy for the first time. FordPass Connect turns the models into mobile WiFi hotspots with connectivity for up to 10 devices, and enables new Local Hazard Information that can inform the driver of hazardous situations in the road ahead before they become visible to the driver or vehicle sensors.

The updated Galaxy features a revised upper front facia and unique combinations of grille and lower fascia designs for more distinctive style. Highlights include:

• Bright chrome upper grille and foglamp surrounds
• A unique honeycomb upper grille with a black surround
• Unique “flying V” signature upper grille with a satin chrome surround

New optional 19” 5x2 Premium Luster Nickel alloy wheels are available.

New 18-way adjustable driver and front passenger seats available for the Galaxy Zetec and Titanium variants can help provide relief for back pain-sufferers on the road, having achieved recognition from the AGR’s independent testing committee of medical experts.

To obtain the AGR seal, the seat must be able to adapt to the person in their sitting position, rather than the person adapting their position to the seat. Adjustment includes height, length and inclination, in addition to back, neck and thigh support. The four-way lumbar adjustment is controlled electronically from a switch on the seat’s side.

In addition to enabling WiFi hotspot capability, optional FordPass Connect technology allows a range of convenient features via the FordPass mobile app, including Vehicle Locator; Vehicle Status that checks fuel levels, alarm status, oil life and more; and remote Door Lock Unlock.

New Local Hazard Information functionality – enabled by the FordPass Connect on-board modem – can inform drivers of a hazardous situation on the road ahead, even if the incident is not visible due to a bend in the road or other vehicles.

Local Hazard Information notifications are delivered independent of sat-nav, based on up-to-the minute data provided by HERE Technologies – sourced from local authorities, emergency services, and driving data from other vehicles connected to “the cloud”.

Notifications of hazards including road works; broken down vehicles; animals, pedestrians and objects in the carriageway; and even hazardous driving conditions are delivered to the vehicle over-the-air, giving drivers advanced warning of developing situations beyond their field of vision.

Available for the Ford Galaxy with 150PS and 190PS power outputs, Ford says the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine delivers the power, torque and driving performance of a larger capacity engine alongside the fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions synonymous with a smaller engine capacity.

The available eight-speed automatic transmission – controlled using a stylish and ergonomic rotary gear shift dial – has been engineered to further optimise fuel efficiency and deliver responsive performance and smooth, swift gearshifts. A six-speed manual transmission is also offered for Galaxy models.

Available advanced Galaxy comfort and convenience technologies include ACC with Stop & Go. Enabled by the eight-speed automatic transmission, the system helps drivers maintain a comfortable driving distance from vehicles ahead, including bringing the vehicle to a complete halt in stop-start traffic and automatically pulling away if the stopping duration is less than three seconds. In line with their large car Ford Mondeo stable mate, the updated Galaxy also offers Pre-Collision Assist as standard. If a potential collision is detected, an alert sound is emitted and a warning message displays in the message center. If the driver’s response is not sufficient, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) will precharge to provide full responsiveness when the brakes are applied – culminating in brakes being applied in the absence of any corrective action.

Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system is also offered, enabling Galaxy drivers to control audio, navigation and climate functions plus connected smartphones using simple voice commands. Supported by an 8-inch colour touchscreen that can be operated using pinch and swipe gestures, SYNC 3 is compatible with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ at no additional cost.

The enhanced Galaxy models are available to order now from £33,210.

February 2021

Ford Galaxy Hybrid priced from £38,695

The new Ford Galaxy Hybrid is now available to order, powered by the same 190PS petrol-electric powertrain as the S-MAX Hybrid.

The spacious Galaxy Hybrid continues to offer the full practicality of the rest of the Galaxy line-up, including more than one metre of head room for first- and second-row passengers and all three second-row seats having Isofix points for securely fitting child safety seats, plus 2339 litres of cargo volume behind the first row of seats and 300 litres cargo volume with all seven seats in place.