Ford has launched new hybrid versions of the S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs, aimed at using customers a lot more functional alternatives to the Toyota C-HR and Kia Niro hybrid SUVs. Both are on sale in the UK now, with prices starting from £36,535 for the S-MAX and £38,695 for the Galaxy.
Ford’s hybrid powertrain is fitted to both models and comprises a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine, a compact electric motor and a 1.1kWh battery pack. The system has a combined output of 187bhp and 200Nm of torque – and, in the S-MAX, it delivers claimed fuel economy of 43.5mpg and emissions as low as 147g/km of CO2.
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As the battery pack is located under the boot floor, the S-MAX hybrid retains the same boot space as the conventional car. even with all seven seats in place, the MPV has 285-litres of luggage room, but fold all of the seats flat and there’s a van-like 2,200 litres of space. The Galaxy also retains the same maximum boot space as its pure petrol and diesel siblings, at 2,339 litres.
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Both automobiles come as conventional in Ford’s Titanium trim, which features 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights and rear privacy glass. There’s a host of conventional safety equipment, too, including traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, front and rear vehicle parking sensors and an active speed limiter.
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Inside, buyers get fabric upholstery, dual-zone climate control and rear table trays. like the conventional MPV, there’s also a roaming 3G hotspot, a 10.1-inch digital gauge cluster and an eight-inch infotainment system.
The S-MAX hybrid is also available in Ford’s sporty ST-Line and comfort-biased Vignale specifications. The former is priced from £38,645 and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, black roofing rails, ST-Line badges, a spoiler for the tailgate and black trim in place of the conventional car’s chrome brightwork.
ST-Line models also come with a heated sports steering wheel, aluminium pedals, black headlining, illuminated tread plates and a pair of heated and electrically adjustable sports seats, which are trimmed in a blend of microsuede and leather.
Prices for the range-topping Ford S-MAX hybrid Vignale start from £41,795. Upgrades over the ST-Line model include 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, metallic paint, silver roofing rails, a power-operated tailgate and a pair of electrically folding door mirrors with memory function.
The S-MAX Vignale’s cabin also gets a lift with a leather-trimmed instrument binnacle, a leather steering wheel, a rear-view camera, an ambient lighting system and a pair of heated, cooled and massaging leather seats. buyers also get a 12-speaker Sony stereo system with a subwoofer.
What do you make of the new Ford S-MAX and Galaxy hybrids? let us know in the comments section below…