Ford has launched new hybrid versions of the S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs, aimed at offering customers more practical 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 standard 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.
Both cars come as standard 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 standard safety equipment, too, including traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors and an active speed limiter.
Inside, buyers get fabric upholstery, dual-zone climate control and rear table trays. Like the standard 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 roof rails, ST-Line badges, a spoiler for the tailgate and black trim in place of the standard 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 roof 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…