Ford Galaxy
On sale 3rd June

If a hay fever sufferer has a bout of eight or nine sneezes when travelling at 70mph on a motorway, vision could be lost for up to half a mile. And allergies are on the rise, with millions of people suffering from breathing difficulties, so it’s not by accident that Ford is offering yet another vehicle with an allergy friendly car interior.

The new Galaxy has been certified by the German TUV organisation, an independent authoritative German testing and assessment organisation that controls and certifies quality standards for industrial and consumer products, that it minimises the allergy risk to the lowest possible level. More than 100 materials and components on the new Galaxy were tested for harmful substances and allergy causing potential. All components likely to have direct and prolonged skin contact such as the steering wheel and seat covers, floor mats and seat belts were also tested. Latex, chrome and nickel were thrown out and a high performance pollen filter was fitted. The British Allergy Foundation has also given the new Galaxy, the Focus and Focus C-Max, its seal of approval.

Its allergy free properties aren’t the only benefits for customers. When it goes on sale on 3rd June, the new Galaxy will be a hit with fleet as well as retail customers. The seven seater people carrier offers extremely good residual values, beating virtually all of the competition and bettering even the current Galaxy by up to seven percent. Independent figures show that certain models could save their owners more than £16 a week, every week, for three years.

This all new full sized MPV has an elegant exterior and a high quality interior, delivering luxury, space and flexibility for up to seven occupants and up to 31 stowage compartments for all their bits and pieces. There is 30% more luggage space than the previous model and a new Fold Flat System, which allows 32 possible seating configurations.

Other new innovations include the Human Machine Interface and the Ford Intelligent Protection System, which provides the latest driver assistance and occupant protection technologies, including a new driver’s knee airbag.

I’m not that keen on its exterior styling, preferring sleeker looks, but the traditional shaped rear end gives better headroom for rear occupants. There is also plenty of leg and shoulder room for a comfortable ride for seven full size adults. I found getting in and out is easy too, because the door opening angle is a wide 65 degrees and the step height is low.

Behind the wheel in the very luxurious interior, the Galaxy is very car like to drive, with no pitching and rolling through corners. The specially shaped parking brake lever adds to the innovative character of the interior, but with a weakened left wrist, I found it difficult to engage and had to use two hands to disengage.

The new Ford Galaxy will be available in three distinct series – LX, Zetec and Ghia, the latter of which offers classic luxury and a wide range of standard features.

There are four efficient and powerful engines, which provide impressive fuel economy and clean emissions, a 2 litre petrol, two 1.8 litre diesels and a 2 litre diesel.

Starting at under £19,500, the all new Galaxy, which has led the UK’s MPV market for over ten years, goes on sale at prices less than the current Galaxy, which with its allergy friendly interior, is great value for money.

By Sue Cooke