Step into the Ford Galaxy from another brand of people carrier and you’ll immediately be struck by how much its driving position feels closer to that of a conventional family estate.

Yes, your seating position and eye line are high and the windscreen base looks miles away, but the high-set centre console containing the gear lever and other switchgear makes it feel entirely conventional. It’s a similar story with the pedals which feel out in front of you rather than underneath your feet. Acclimatising to all this is very easy though.

Although the dashboard uses many cues and features from the Mondeo, it’s shared with the (slightly) smaller S-Max and forthcoming Ford Edge SUV. Largely it’s constructed from high quality plastics, but there are a few areas of cheaper-feeling trim dotted about the cabin, and the finish for the centre console feels less classy than the rest of the main dashboard too.

Dominating the centre of the dashboard is the eight-inch colour touchscreen for the Sync3 infotainment system. It’s quick to respond, easy to use, with four colour-coordinated zones on the home screen and models fitted with sat-nav benefit from a really clear mapping system.

Other than that, all-round visibility is excellent, aided by enormous windows, although the pillars are much thicker than those found on Citroen’s rival. The rear view mirrors provide excellent visibility while supplementary systems such as cameras, parking sensors and automatic parking make low speed manoeuvres even easier.

As a well-equipped, well-made and spacious family car designed for seven, it’s no surprise that we rate Ford Galaxy comfort levels so highly.

It’s an improvement over its predecessor – not that that was a poor performer in the comfort stakes – but with additional sound deadening to reduce external noise intrusion, overall refinement is heightened.

While overall ride quality is good, particularly the Galaxy’s ability to soften the sharpest of road ruts, it does transmit smaller imperfections through the cabin as it gently shimmies along a series of smaller undulations. Your passengers are unlikely to complain but it’s perceptible nonetheless. European buyers get an option to specify adaptive suspension but the UK’s standard set-up is tuned to ‘Normal’ mode.

Whichever row of the Galaxy’s seats you sit in, the Ford can accommodate those of adult stature with ease, the middle row sliding fore and aft to add a degree of flexibility into legroom requirements. Air-con vents for the climate control also make the vast cabin easily bearable on hotter days, while privacy glass on Titanium models and above further reduces the sun’s glare.