Ford is at the top of the market when it comes to people carriers and that should be no surprise with what the Galaxy and S-Max have to offer. With over 40% market share in this segment, the blue oval car brand must be doing something right when it comes to family transport.

I’ve had the latest edition Ford Galaxy on the road in recent weeks and following a few days with the top-spec Titanium version, you would have to be impressed with the offer. This is a car that’s sure to impress any family with more than three children – due to its space, flexibility and safety features.

This car comes with three diesel engine options, all of which are based on a 2.0 litre turbo-diesel unit that has been upgraded for better economy. Engine power options range from 120bhp to 150bhp and the 180bhp version that I was driving. Ford offers an even more powerful version topping 200bhp for more enthusiastic drivers.

This large people carrier needs to be compared with the competition to assess its value. From a driving point of view, the Galaxy excels. The driving position is high, the all-round comfort is impressive and it’s smooth to accelerate. The start-stop system with push-button start is easy to get used to. The six-speed gearbox coupled with the powerful engine gives impressive acceleration performance.

I covered almost 800km on the test drive and my average economy figure was about 30% less than the quoted figure of 20km/litre (5.0/100km or 56mpg), which should give a range of almost 900km on a full 68-litre tank. I looked back on previous records driving the lower power version of the Galaxy and the economy figures were almost identical, which for me confirmed the expectations from a big car like the Galaxy. It is competitive relative to the likes of the Volkswagen Sharan or Seat Alhambra, which I wrote about recently. But the Galaxy is a more substantial car; it has a strong and more spacious feel to it.

There are lots of storage spaces in the Galaxy – handy for families who are always bringing lots of kit on board. The front legroom is generous and there is impressive room in the second row of seats that can be moved and altered to suit different needs.

This is a three-row people carrier and, even with the third row of seats in use, there is impressive boot space. The third row of seats folds flat to the floor with ease for the extra loads.

Ford included the Intelligent Tailgate (€400 extra) in the test car and that makes opening the large boot easy with a tip of your knee. Otherwise the boot lid is heavy and that’s one option I could see many drivers loading the weekly shopping opting for.

The Galaxy is not a sliding door people carrier. The doors are big and open wide and, with a car as big as this, you need to pick your car parking spaces carefully.

That’s where Ford’s automated parking system (€250 extra) comes into its own and I consider it a useful option. The system allows parallel and perpendicular parking and what a wonder this is for a large people carrier like the Galaxy. This is one feature that you will get to fully appreciate and it’s among the more affordable options – a panoramic roof or adaptive suspension cost many times more.

When driving the powerful test car, I had to bear in mind that the 150bhp power range is the dominant choice among Irish drivers of large people carriers.

Ford offers such a wide specification choice in the Galaxy that you need to remember that not all of them are the same. There are Zetec and Titanium specifications and there is a significant price difference between them. The choices are wide, but the base specification is good, with parking sensors, mini spare wheel under the boot and alloy wheels to name but a few items.

The base car has plenty of safety kit and is child friendly, with two ISO-Fix couplings in the second row of seats. The Euro NCAP safety rating is recent and impressive at five stars.

I know that if you look at the Galaxy you will be tempted by the extras in the Titanium version, some of which can be very useful with a large people carrier like the Galaxy. I expect that any buyer will enjoy and appreciate these extras but you also need to be prepared to pay well for them. There is a significant gap between the entry-level Zetec at €38,860 (£28,195 in NI) and the 180bhp Titanium version at €47,535 (£38,295), and that’s before some of these useful extras.

For me, the Galaxy remains the number one people carrier choice. Its strong and solid feel, flexible seating and the range of options available means that there is a lot on offer. Galaxy drivers have not been disappointed and the latest 2016 version is more economical and modern, with more features than ever.

Just check the price point and control your temptations and also remember that your running costs won’t be a whole lot less than some of the larger passenger 4x4s.