It can’t be easy for Ford. Britain’s most popular car brand has to be all things to all men (and women).

It has to be interesting and exciting, yet at the same time safe and secure. It has to match its rivals in terms of quality, design, price and equipment. That’s far from easy.

On the plus side, it has the sort of resources that some of the smaller players can only dream about, and the signs are that Ford’s buoyant trend is set to continue.

It has a sparkling set of models, from the Ka and Fiesta through to my favourite car of the moment, Kuga. Don’t tell Ford, but that car is vastly under-priced.

The brand’s one weak spot is its people-carriers. The Galaxy (the bigger of Ford’s two people-carriers) has lacked that certain pzazz. Until now.

It always was good to drive, spacious, flexible and safe, yet it was a little dull. But Ford’s designers have mastered the final piece of the jigsaw with the new model, which goes on sale in April.

Prices have yet to be released but I’d be surprised if they changed much from the current range, which spans £24,000 to £31,000.

In some ways it’s an old-fashioned big-box people-carrier, which does sterling trade as a family-mover, taxi, airport shuttlebus and business transport.

But it is more than just a tin on wheels crammed full of seats. With its seven chairs, it offers a level of carrying capacity a conventional executive saloon simply can’t 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’re 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’ve got some important clients in tow, and all the more reason to opt for a Galaxy as there’s space and luxury in abundance.

Keen to maintain the car’s healthy share of the market, Ford has given the Galaxy a mid-life refresh. 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 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, making it easier to exploit the Galaxy’s vast carrying capacity.

Ford is particularly pleased with the improvements it’s made to the bits you can’t 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 horsepower 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 car’s 163bhp unit delivers 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’ve spent a few hours at the wheel, you soon appreciate the excellent driving position and good all-round visibility.

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 turbocharged capacity.

Outputting 203 horsepower 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’s 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.

Ford Galaxy 163PS Duratorq TDCi:- PRICE: To be confirmed. Current range spans £24,000 to £31,000.

ENGINE: A 2.0-litre turbo diesel unit developing 163bhp via a six-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels.

INSURANCE: To be confirmed PERFORMANCE: Top speed 126mph, 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds.

COSTS: 49.6mpg.

EMISSIONS: 152g/km.

WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles.

Steve's ratings:- Performance: 3/5 Ride/Handling: 4/5 Space/Practicality: 5/5 Equipment: 3/5 Security/Safety: 4/5