Galaxy is a leader in the space race

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Ford Galaxy Titanium X 1.6 EcoBoost SCTi Start/Stop
Top speed: 124mph; 0-62mph: 9.9 secs; Combined MPG: 39.2 (claimed); Emissions: 167g/km; BHP: 158; Price: £29,045. Range starts at £24,645

If you see a Ford Galaxy in London - especially one in black - chances are it's a minicab, unless it was the one I road-tested recently.

It's some years since I drove one and I wanted to see how such a large car would stand up with the new 1.6 EcoBoost petrol engine they now fit. The answer was, rather well. I needed the extra row of seats - it sits seven, with "pop-up" seats hidden in the floor in the back - for a trip to Wales and back so it seemed the ideal choice.

What strikes you most is the sheer refinement of the engine and the way it superbly matches the six-speed manual gearbox. It pulled well even with a full load of passengers and a bootful of junk. Other benefits are a smooth but nicely controlled ride with little roll and some of the best seating in the business. The steering is particularly good too. The overall package feels sporty, pleasing to drive and highly practical.

I'd have liked to achieve a little more than 36mpg combined (despite the useful auto Start/Stop) but it wasn't yet run-in - if you really want to hyper-mile, you should choose a diesel variant.

Best feature of all is its vast boot. Fold the rear seats flat and you've got all the space any family will ever need.