For Galaxy versus S-Max?

don9999

Am about to purchase (within the next week!) a new car, and am considering the Galaxy or S-Max.

Have test-drives arranged for both, but wondered if there is anything I should be looking out for.

I'm led to believe that they have the very same chassis, very similar build, and the only major difference is that the Galaxy has a squarer roof back-end, whilst the S-Max is more curved. This results in there being less head-room for seats 6 and 7 in the third row of the S-Max.

The Galaxy also has bigger third row seats which can be moved forward/back (due to there being more space in the rear of the Galaxy to house this mechanism).

Besides that, I suspect the only other differences are aesthetic.
However, I've read reviews of the S-Max being much nicer to drive (like the Focus car!) than the Galaxy (which 'drives like a bus'). But why the difference, when they are essentially the same car?

I've been to two Ford garages, at one the guy said that the S-max is much the better car, whilst at the second, the guy said they were exactly the same except the Galaxy has more space and hence is better.

Hmmmmm....

I'm looking at the top of the range in each case - the S-Max Titanium (MRP £21,495) or Galaxy Ghia (MRP £24,012). However there are significant discounts available - more on the Galaxy! I have been offered the S-Max for £19,231 or the Galaxy for £18,845!

Any comments? Especially from people who have had real-life experience of both cars?

Finally......can anyone recommend any 'must-have' extras for either car?

Cheers,
Don

DealDrivers_company_representative

It comes down to the space you need really. Some things to bear in mind:

All Galaxy and SMax built after 7th May get ESP as standard, it was a cost option on earlier cars. there are also some new options available to order.

There's a new dash cluster and glass on SMax Titaniums from 7th May too, and you'll get Sony single CD audio instead of the original unbranded 6CD on earlier models.

Galaxy Ghia also gets new orderable options.

PRICING DEADLINES:
Galaxy prices with current Ford bonuses all end on 30th June (this is the date cars have to be registered) so unless you can find a bit of spare stock it is now too late to order one in time for that deadline. There's a risk the current bonuses included in available discounts will be changed by Ford for cars registered from 1st July. They won't announce any changes until right at the end of June so you need to be a little flexible, potentially.

On SMax there's no bonuses (only dealer's own discount) so you can order and be pretty risk free as they've only just released the pricelist and it won't change for a while.