It is easy to forget Ford’s Galaxy. Not as glamorous as a Focus RS, the Galaxy inhabits another world — one full of people, luggage, airports and business appointments.

To dismiss the car as a vehicle operating on the fringes of motoring is to misunderstand its role in life.

Although a ‘big box’ people carrier, the Galaxy is more than just a tin on wheels crammed full of seats. With its seven chairs, the car offers a level of carrying capacity a conventional executive saloon simply cannot match.

Yet, just like that hypothetical executive express, the Galaxy offers a cabin ambience to rival that of a leather-and-wood trimmed saloon.

Think about it for a moment — you are a group of guys in suits complete with luggage needing a lift from the airport to your hotel. Why slum it in a van with windows?

That’s especially true if you have got some important clients in tow, and all the more reason to opt for a Galaxy as there is space and luxury in abundance.

Keen to maintain the car’s healthy share of the market, Ford has given the Galaxy a light mid-life facelift. In reality there’s not a lot you can do to radically alter its rakish appearance, but the subtle exterior tweaks have done much to enhance its kerb appeal.

Like the smaller S-Max, which also benefits from similar changes, the Galaxy now boasts a more sculptured bonnet, Focus-like grille and LED lights at the rear.

Equally low key but of no less importance are the changes to the Galaxy’s cabin.

In a bid to further boost the car’s premium credentials, new interior colour schemes and materials are available. Ford’s fold-flat system for the second and third rows of seats is now standard, to make it easier to exploit the Galaxy’s vast carrying capacity.

Ford is particularly pleased with the improvements it has made to the bits you cannot see, too.

Key to maintaining the car’s competitive edge in the business sectors is the performance of its diesel engines.

With 115, 140 and 163 horse power units on offer, there’s bound to be an engine to suit any application and budget.

Boasting Euro 5 compliance, all the engines offer high levels of performance and economy.

The test car’s 163 horse power unit delivered ample amounts of low-down power and torque, making it ideal for the cut and thrust of city traffic.

It also cruises at motorway speeds in a pleasingly hushed manner — perfect for those long-haul airport transfer jobs.

Factor in a slick, six-speed manual gearbox and exceptional road manners and it’s hard to fault the big Ford.

Once you have spent a few hours at the wheel you soon appreciate the excellent driving position and good all-round visibility, also.

Although 90-odd per cent of Galaxys are diesels, Ford is keen to demonstrate that it can do ‘clean’ petrol engines.

The Blue Oval is using the Galaxy and S-Max pairing to debut a new Ecoboost petrol engine that offers the performance of something larger than its 2.0-litre turbo-charged capacity.

Outputting 203 horse power, yet only 189g/km CO2, and delivering a respectable 34.8mpg on the combined cycle, it strikes a sensible balance between acceptable running costs and first class refinement. It is surprisingly quiet and ideal for the high-end chauffeur market.

Factor in a slick, standard fit dual clutch DSG gearbox (optional on selected diesels) and the Galaxy is a genuine premium proposition.

With its impressive road manners, modern and refreshed exterior, a solid choice of engines and cabin ambience to rival that of a traditional executive saloon, Ford’s Galaxy offers owners a vehicle that’s versatile, good value and perfectly at home in a business environment.

Model: Ford Galaxy 163PS Duratorq TDCi Peformance: 0-62mph: 9.8 seconds, top speed 126mph Economy: 49.6mpg CO2 emissions: 152g/km

Price: From £24,102 Web: www.ford.co.uk