The test drive of the Volvo XC70 was coming to an end — the car had to be returned to Moscow, and on the way we were to pick up a new "test subject": the Ford Galaxy minivan. After the "Swede" with a 238-horsepower petrol engine, we really wanted something simpler and more economical, so we were glad when Ford agreed to give us the diesel version. But already in the capital, having received the documents, we discovered that under the hood we had... a 2.3-liter petrol unit paired with an "automatic". The joy turned out to be premature.
The onboard computer initially upset us: the previous owner was "consuming" almost 17 liters per hundred — as much as the more powerful all-wheel-drive Volvo! But as soon as we got outside Moscow, the appetite began to drop: 15, then 13, then 11 liters. Somewhere halfway between the capitals, the computer was already showing 9 liters. At the same time, we weren't crawling: in places we accelerated to 140 km/h, constantly overtaking trucks. And here the engine and gearbox combination pleased us: like most "automatics", when you sharply press the gas, the automatic transmission hesitates for a second, and then the Galaxy "shoots forward", allowing you to quickly complete an overtake.
The Moscow — St. Petersburg highway is generally decent, although there is plenty of broken asphalt. On such sections, the Volvo XC70 shook noticeably, while the Galaxy held much more confidently. On smooth surfaces, the minivan turned into a real "land liner": maximum comfort for passengers. Despite its impressive dimensions and weight, the car obeys the steering wheel perfectly, and directional stability is simply magnificent: at speeds over a hundred, you can let go of the steering wheel — the Galaxy will continue to go straight.
On the road, we tried the adaptive cruise control: it maintains the set speed and distance to the car ahead. If the distance decreases, the electronics brake on their own; if it increases, they add gas. Beautiful! But the idyll can be disrupted by a third car that cuts in between the "leader" and the "follower": the electronic brain does not always react in time, and the driver has to hit the brakes themselves.
In St. Petersburg, the car was immediately "torn apart": someone needed to move furniture to a new apartment, someone needed to haul old things out of the dacha. The Galaxy coped brilliantly: even a two-meter sofa fit in the cabin, and in assembled form. Gradually, we got used to the minivan's character and learned to save. If you accelerate smoothly, you can keep it within 14 liters in the city, but as soon as you start "revving it up", consumption jumps to 19 liters per hundred.
Driving
The car obeys the steering wheel perfectly. Thanks to excellent directional stability, the driver gets less tired on long trips.
Interior
Super-spacious: many compartments for small items, and in the trunk there are two additional seats hidden, which can comfortably accommodate adult passengers.
Comfort
High-quality trim materials, excellent sound insulation, decent sound from the standard audio system.
Safety
The minivan earned the highest score for passenger protection according to the Euro NCAP methodology. In the base configuration, there are seven airbags.
Price
Since its entry into the Russian market, the Galaxy has noticeably become more expensive.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Excellent suspension tuning, decent dynamics, spacious interior.
– Lack of a spare tire, high fuel consumption, price.
Technical specifications
Make and model — Ford Galaxy 2.3
Dimensions — 4820x1885x1723 mm
Engine — petrol, 2261 cm3, 161 hp/6500 rpm
Transmission — automatic, 6-speed
Dynamics — max 191 km/h; 11.6 s to 100 km/h
Competitors — Mitsubishi Grandis, Renault Espace
Our opinion
The Galaxy has a driver-oriented character, which is a rarity for cars of this class. The high level of comfort and spacious interior make this minivan a real "second home". And to reduce the "rent", it is worth ordering the version with a diesel engine.