Ford Galaxy vs S-Max – which is best?

Ford stuck with traditional people-carriers for longer than most other manufacturers. The Blue Oval brand has never offered a seven-seat SUV in the UK but, for a while, it had a whole range of seven-seat MPVs – the S-Max and Galaxy were joined by the smaller Grand C-Max and the van-based Tourneo Connect and Tourneo Custom.

Here’s how to choose between the Ford S-Max and Galaxy for your next family car.

Shop used Ford Galaxy cars and used Ford S-Max cars for sale at Motorpoint

Ford Galaxy vs Ford S-Max compared

Styling

The Ford Galaxy is a big old bus and its styling is pretty functional. Its big windows make the cabin feel airy and give you and your passengers good outward visibility. Chrome trim and alloy wheels stop the Galaxy feeling overly utilitarian.

If the S-Max was launched today, Ford would probably try to call it a coupe MPV. It has a sloping roofline compared to the Galaxy’s flat roof, giving the S-Max a sleeker look. This sounds counterintuitive for a people carrier, but it makes the S-Max look less upright and a bit more like a swollen estate car.

Many used Galaxy examples are in the straight-laced Titanium trim, while the S-Max also offers the sporty ST-Line and luxurious Vignale trims – which give some kerb appeal while keeping the practicality.

Interior and technology

Almost entirely the same parts are used across these cars' interiors, and you really have to look hard to find differences. The S-Max’s seats are upholstered in a slightly nicer pattern than the Galaxy’s, and there’s a bit of carbon-effect trim on the dashboard where the Galaxy gets a plainer treatment.

The S-Max’s ST-Line trim brings half-leather seats and eye-catching red stitching throughout the cabin, while the Vignale trim treats you to quilted leather and a Sony sound system.

Dimensions and practicality

Both the Galaxy and the S-Max have seven seats as standard, and both come with three Isofix points across the middle row – letting you put three child seats side by side. All seats slide and fold individually.

The S-Max’s sloping roofline means rear headroom is tight compared to the taller Galaxy, so the Galaxy will be a better choice if you’re going to be carrying a lot of adults on a regular basis.

The Galaxy also does a better impression of a van, with noticeably more boot space than the S-Max if you fold the third row down. Its boxiness is a boon for boxes and bassoons, and it’ll feel like there’s nothing that you can’t get in the Galaxy’s boot. Mind you, the S-Max will still fit more in than the majority of cars.

For all the Galaxy’s space, its conventionally opening rear doors might still cause hassle in tight car parks. For that reason it’s also worth considering the Grand Tourneo Connect or the Tourneo Custom, or another car with sliding doors.

Engines and performance

Most S-Max and Galaxy used cars come with a trusty 2.0-litre diesel engine, in a couple of different power outputs. These are well suited to economical family travel and getting fully laden people carriers up to speed, but you’ll need to make sure you do longer journeys on a regular basis to allow the diesel particulate filter (DPF) to clear itself out. The EcoBlue diesel engine also needs occasional AdBlue top-ups, which reduces its emissions output.

If you’re predominantly going to be using your S-Max or Galaxy for short journeys, it’s worth hunting out the hybrid engine. Introduced for the last couple of years of these cars’ lives, it’s the same engine as the Ford Kuga hybrid. The 2.5-litre Duratec hybrid engine manages up to 44mpg, making it the most efficient choice for repeated plods across town.

A 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol was offered until 2019, but it’s rare in the S-Max and exceedingly rare in the Galaxy.

Value

You’ll pay slightly more for the Galaxy than for an S-Max of a similar age and mileage, but you’re getting a more practical car. The hybrid engine seems to hold its value better than the diesel engines across both cars, so you’ll be forking out a bit extra for the newer powertrain and its accompanying automatic gearbox.

If you can live with a van with windows, the Grand Tourneo Connect is considerably cheaper than both an S-Max and Galaxy. In terms of conventional MPVs, it's also worth checking out the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer.

Which is best?

In terms of sheer versatility, the Galaxy beats the S-Max – and that’s largely the point of a people carrier.

However, if you don’t need room for adults in the third row, the S-Max is still very practical and a little more stylish. Plus it’s available in more interestingly upholstered trim levels. This doesn’t seem like an important consideration for this type of car, but it could affect how you feel about the car – and that is important if you’ll be living with it for several years or more.

Shop used Ford Galaxy cars and used Ford S-Max cars for sale at Motorpoint.