Test drive Ford Galaxy 2000 - 2006 Minivan

Oval Galaxy

In the movement of Galaxy did not present any surprises. An obedient, predictable car. The elastic, moderately responsive motor does not indulge in the abuse, but allows you to easily stay in the stream.
 

If the car community is already remembered by the distant 1994, then thanks to the then two loud inter -corporate weddings, as a result of which a whole brood of minivans was born. To be the exact seven different models: triplets Ford Galaxy, Seat Alhambra and Volkswagen Sharan and quarter Citroeon Evasion, Fiat Ulysse, Lancia Zeta and Peegeot 806. It seems that they have not forgotten anyone.
 
The difference was in marriage contracts. As part of the U60 project, the PSA Peugeot-Citroeon and Fiat Auto SPA concerns and the car designed, and the Sevelnord plant was built, while Ford Motor and Volkswagen AG went through a strict distinction between authority. Volkswagen completely developed a car under the code designation VX62, and Ford provided its production at his factory in the Portuguese city of Palmel. In the first case, six billion francs were spent, in the second the amount is more significant, nearly two billion pounds.
 
The friendly Franco-Italian family is now presented in the second generation, but the original Galaxy and Sharan are still, however, not without the help of a facelift. Moreover, both cars are officially delivered to the Russian market. Galaxy is offered in two trim levels Trend and Ghia; The base includes ABS, two pillows, air conditioning, audio training of eight speakers and mirrors with electric drives and heating. The engine is one gasoline four about 145 horsepower. The car that turned out to be on the test was completed by the third row of seats, heated front seats, windshield and nozzle scraps, headlight washers, radio, fog, also was painted with metallic. As a result, all this led to a rise in price by 1570 euros. The GHIA version is much richer to say that a multimedia center from a DVD player, two housing and reinforunched monitors and four pairs of headphones is provided for it as an option.

 

Separately, I will not describe the appearance of the machine, I will not see Galaxy alive hundreds of times. As for the interior decoration, the order is most impressed here. Order in design, order in ergonomics. Simple form we, large surfaces, lively with silver inserts for metal. The logical organization of buttons, understandable icons. Successfully stained front chairs with adjustable armrests, a pleasant steering wheel, impeccable gear shifts. So the diagnosis of typical Ford begs. No sarcasm: the European Ford really reached a very high level. In friendliness to the user and the clarity of the mechanics of his model, one can call the reference to the law of doubt.

   

Although there are some shortcomings. For example, none of the three messages are spacious. The small handle of the trunk lid is annoyed, the fingers with which they strive to slip. And the swing rear doors (instead of sliding) noticeably complicate the process of landing and planting in close parking. However, the main Galaxy copes with the function of the minivan. All the rear seats are quite comfortable, everyone is folding, and the mid -row chairs are adjusted in the longitudinal direction and in the inclination of the backs. Seats can be arranged in any combinations, even facing each other.
 
In the movement of Galaxy did not present any surprises. An obedient, predictable car. The elastic, moderately responsive motor does not indulge in the abuse, but allows you to easily stay in the stream. To match the engine steering neoprotea, with a soft increase in the returning effort. The suspension is well balanced: it easily copes with small irregularities, does not allow a noticeable buildup of the body and large rolls in corners. Large pits go to the body, but do not cause uncomfortable sensations. To the brakes zero claims.
 
The maximum functions, the minimum of emotions is the impression of this machine. Despite the cosmic name, Ford Galaxy is a very earthly object. And it makes sense to opt for it only when you have enough passengers to realize all its capabilities.
 
Autography
Ford Galaxy
Predecessor
Not
Still known as
Volkswagen
Sharan/Seat
Alhambra
Modernization
spring 2000
Body
universal
Premiere
february 1995
Engines
1.9-2.8 l (90-204 hp)
Production
Portugal
Expected replacement
2005

 
The car is provided by Alarm Motors.
During the test, the car is insured by LLC Nation Center.
 
Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A source: Wheel magazine [No. 78/2004]