The Mazda 8 impresses with its refinement and gadgets, but its performance is less convincing than its two rivals’. While the car provides many travel “privileges” to passengers, there’s a lot less for the driver, who’ll be longing for the same motoring concessions accorded to the Mazda’s other six or seven occupants.
With its “anti-van” appearance, the Honda Odyssey is definitely the coolest-looking car here. Not as cool, however, are its rather low-rent cabin (with just two airbags versus six in the Mazda and seven in the Ford) and vocal powertrain. On the flip side, the driver can stay cool while manoeuvring in Singapore’s tight carparks because the Odyssey, unlike most full-blown people-movers, is not clumsy in size at all.
The niftiest family shifter in this story is therefore the Ford Galaxy. It lacks the classy cabin of the Mazda 8 and the everyday-everywhere usefulness of the Honda Odyssey, but its ability to play the role of a family van while satisfying dad’s latent petrolhead needs is, well, pretty cool.
Ford Galaxy 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 1999cc
Bore x stroke 87.5mm x 83.1mm
Compression ratio 10:1
Max Power 203bhp at 6000rpm
Max Torque 300Nm at 1750-4000rpm
Power to weight 117.5bhp per tonne
Gearbox 6-speed dual-clutch
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 8.8 seconds
Top Speed 217km/h
Consumption 12.3km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Goodyear Excellence
Size 225/50 R17
SAFETY
Airbags 7
Traction Control ABS with ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4819mm
Width 1884mm
Height 1770mm
Wheelbase 2850mm
Kerb Weight 1727kg
Turning Circle 11.9m
BUYING IT
Price $180,888 incl. COE
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Most spacious cabin, most efficient powertrain, surprisingly competent handling
– Seats are the least supportive, air-con is weaker than the others’
Mazda 8 2.3 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 2260cc
Bore x stroke 87.5mm x 94mm
Compression ratio 10:1
Max Power 163bhp at 5600rpm
Max Torque 203Nm at 4000rpm
Power to weight 91.6bhp per tonne
Gearbox 5-speed automatic with manual select
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 13.3 seconds
Top Speed 170km/h
Consumption 10.3km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front Double wishbones, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Yokohama Aspec
Size 215/65 R16
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction Control ABS
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4860mm
Width 1855mm
Height 1685mm
Wheelbase 2950mm
Kerb Weight 1780kg
Turning Circle 11.4m
BUYING IT
Price $181,988 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Best-specified interior, best-value sticker price, those comfy captain’s chairs
– Lacks load-hauling versatility, leisurely pick-up, “heavy” handling
Honda Odyssey 2.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 2354cc
Bore x stroke 87mm x 99mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Max Power 180bhp at 6500rpm
Max Torque 218Nm at 4500rpm
Power to weight 107.1bhp per tonne
Gearbox 5-speed automatic
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 11.5 seconds
Top Speed 190km/h
Consumption 11.2km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front Double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Yokohama Aspec
Size 215/55 R17
SAFETY
Airbags 2
Traction Control ABS
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4800mm
Width 1800mm
Height 1545mm
Wheelbase 2830mm
Kerb Weight 1680kg
Turning Circle 10.8m
BUYING IT
Price $185,900 incl. COE
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Fabulous design by MPV standards, fantastic everyday useability
– Cabin and engine are less impressive than the competition’s
