WHEN times get hard, everyone wants more for less and the latest Ford Galaxy is no exception.

The arrival of tougher emissions standards which closely correlate to fuel economy have seen the introduction of the 1.6 EcoBoost SCTi Start & Stop model.

But this is no breathless panic reaction to the changes sweeping through the car industry, rather a carefully considered and engineered solution to the issues faced.

The Galaxy is one of the UK's most popular MPVs and there is a good chance if you have flown away on holiday this year that you were taken to the airport or picked up in a Galaxy since it is used by Britain's biggest transfer fleet.

Not only is it a sensible business vehicle but also delights as family transport with its low running costs.

There are more than 20 models in the Galaxy family sold in Britain and the latest uses the Bridgend-built 1.6 EcoBoost engines.

I tried the high grade Titanium X version which costs just over £29,350 but which was fitted with £3,000 of extras including sophisticated navigation, safety technology packs and additional comfort features.

The Bridgend factory in Wales supplies all of Ford's European medium-sized petrol engines and the 1.6 EcoBoost is surprisingly good in the seven-seat Galaxy.

It starts easily, pulls well even when loaded and it gives the Galaxy a good long-legged gait on the motorway.

It is not a performance MPV but acceleration and maximum speed are reasonable while the overall economy is good - what you might expect from a smaller family hatchback.

The Galaxy is much more roomy however with up to seven seats available. Getting into the back pair is best left to children but adults can reach them after a fashion.

The front and middle seats are easy to access with wide opening doors and there is very good leg and headroom in these, appreciably more than in the rearmost pair.

The nominal boot space behind the fifth door is wide and high, but not deep and you really need to fold or remove the back seats to gain useful space increases and then you have a very large area if the middle row is stowed away.

The seats are well shaped for support and comfort and the front pair have good adjustment as well and you have some limited movement of the back seats.

Visibility is excellent, helped by the optional reversing camera, with low waistline, deep windows, big effective wipers and very bright headlights. There is a truly immense panorama roof to flood the interior with light when uncovered.

Oddments room is extremely good throughout with a multitude of compartments, bins, trays and pockets.

The climate control is very effective at keeping the big interior comfortable.

Secondary controls are conveniently laid out and well marked as is the instruments cluster and dials. I liked the touch screen navigation system for its simplicity as well.

The Galaxy's major controls are well developed with ease of operation for steering, gearchange and brakes and it has a good turning circle.

The start and stop system is almost unobtrusive but it can be switched off if desired, although that seems to defeat the object. Leaving it on will give a slight improvement in economy but more significantly it helps Ford achieve the lower emissions figures in EC tests and these are reflected in tax bandings.