Citroen Berlingo Multispace with 7 good seats

Large Families have many years liked the MPV Citroen Berlingo. In the old version there was only room for five, but some owners opted to have two extra chairs mounted sideways in the luggage compartment. It was neither safe or comfortable!!

Citroën has now introduced a true seven seaters version of the new Berlingo. It has two extra chairs mounted forward-facing in a third row. All the seats can be adjusted or removed as needed and when third row is not in use, the backrest can be folded forward for the benefit of extra luggage space.

It is not possible to hide the extra seats in the floor as seen in e.g. the Ford Galaxy - but in return the chairs are well padded and good quality. They could accomodate teens, while adults will find the space to cramped. The disadvantage of interior design is obviously a very limited luggage space when all seven seats is in use.

Overall score:
83%

We think:
Length and wheelbase is unchanged from the version with five seats. In practice, the interior design works well, and it is easy to get on to the third row.
Overall, the Berlingo Multispace edition is one of the best seven seaters we've seen in a long time - at least for the price tag.

Pros:

• Great money for value
• The children will love the space
• 7 good seats/chairs
• Design much better than previous models

Cons:

• French quality (or lack of quality some might say)
• Lack of space behind the third row
• Feels like a minibus
• Not a drivers car

New 2010 S-Max and Galaxy models, EcoBoost engines

In 2010 it is time for a facelift of the Ford S-Max and Galaxy. In addition to discrete visual updates they also features Ford's new engine family Ecoboost.

Ecoboost is gasoline engines using "downsizing" technology - i.e. smaller engine block but with greater efficiency and lower consumption. As the name suggests, ecoboost is related to turbochargers as in the popular in TDCI engines.

Ford starts however from the top of the hierarchy. The S-Max and Galaxy, the current 2.3-liter with automatic transmission and 161 horsepower replaced by a 2.0 Ecoboost with 203 horsepower. It becomes as standard combined with a dual-clutch gearbox called Powershift, which thus makes its entrance in Ford's big class.

The new engine and gearbox together improves fuel economy from 10.3 to 12.3 km per. liters - eventhough performance has been increased.

The Ecoboost engine in the 2.0 version will probably be available in a less powerful version, and when C-Max is launched later in 2010, we also see a smaller 1.6-Ecoboost with around 160 hp, and in 2011 following a small version of the new Focus.

Galaxy is a more spacious version of the S-Max, but is not nearly as popular. The facelift introduces improved diesel engine and customers can select between 115, 140 and 163 horsepowers. The 115 version can run 17.5 km per. liters.

Ford does not tell whether the S-Max and Galaxy will be offered with some of the "old" gasoline engines.

Other news on the big multi-car is the possibility of Volvo's BLIS system, which warns of vehicles in the blind spot, a new electric child security rear doors and a new quality sound system.

Overall score:

S-Max, 85%
Galaxy, 80%

We think:
The new Ford models are excellent money-for-value and the increased fuel economy has been awaited for some time for these larger models. If you have 3 children or less go for the S-Max, families with 4 children should buy the Galaxy instead as the seating is slightly better on the third row.