Hybrid Ford S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs now on sale

• Smaller CO2 output than diesel engines
• Both still have seven seats
• S-MAX hybrid priced from £36,535

The Ford S-MAX and Ford Galaxy MPVs are now available with hybrid engines. A new petrol-electric powertrain is offered alongside the 2.0-litre diesel engines, and matches the 44.1mpg you can expect from diesels equipped with an automatic gearbox. On sale now, the S-MAX hybrid starts from £36,535, while the Galaxy costs at least £38,695.

Ford is persevering with its large MPVs while other manufacturers are focusing on SUVs instead, so the S-MAX and Galaxy hybrids can be thought of as more practical rivals to the Honda CR-V, Toyota C-HR and Kia Niro.

You can have the S-MAX with five or seven seats, while the Galaxy has seven seats as standard. Impressively, boot space isn’t any smaller than diesel versions, so you get 285 and 300 litres respectively with all seven seats in place. Fold the two rear rows flat and you get 2,200 or 2,339 litres to fill.

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A small 1.1kWh battery is mated to a compact electric motor and a 2.5-litre petrol engine, and the total 187bhp output matches the more powerful diesel engine. Rather than a conventional automatic gearbox, the pair of MPVs use a CVT gearbox, which we hope will be better than the one in the Ford Mondeo Hybrid.

The S-MAX hybrid is available in all three trim levels: Titanium, sporty ST-Line and luxurious Vignale. All come with auto headlights, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control and an eight-inch sat nav screen, while ST-Line adds a body kit, firmer suspension, heated electric sports seats and a heated leather steering wheel. Vignale brings a powered tailgate, noise-cancelling tech, a rear-view camera, leather upholstery and adaptive LED headlights. ST-Line and Vignale cost £38,645 and £41,795 respectively.

Ford only sells the Galaxy in Zetec and Titanium trims, and you can only pick the hybrid in the latter. Keyless entry, sat nav and lane-keeping assistance are fitted to this model.

Read our guides to the best seven-seaters and best hybrid family cars.