I can highly recommend the Ford Galaxy. We had one for two years and about 60k miles, a 2.3, and it was utterly reliable while we had it. It was very nice to drive, comfortable, and fairly quick. My father also had an ex-police gun squad Galaxy through his work which was terrific fun and rather fast, but on the whole I wouldn't recommend an ex-police one.
They can be unreliable beasts, but they tend to be ok provided that they are looked after properly. An important thing to ensure is that the air con is working, as in a huge number of them it isn't and the bits can be a little pricey. Ours was an auto and returned between 22 and 31 mpg, depending on how it was driven.
In terms of engines, going by that car I assume you're looking at the facelift cars, which I prefer the look of and feel a little more like a VAG car, the choices are the 2.3 Ford unit, the 1.9 TDI and the 2.8 V6, if it's a Ford, and if it's a Seat or VW, the 2.3 engine isn't available, but there are 1.8 turbos and 2.0 petrols in addition to the 1.9 TDI and 2.8 V6. The 1.9 diesel was available in several states of tune; the facelift cars coming in a choice of 90ps, 115ps, 130ps and latterly even 150ps. All diesels are decent to drive, though a little rattly, and all come with a 6 speed manual and the 115ps is available with a decent 5 speed auto. The 2.3 petrol unit is very good, though they can sound rather squeaky sometimes, but it's nothing to be concerned about. The V6 is quite thirsty, but sounds nice and is fairly quick, but a diesel or 2.3 petrol would make far more sense in my view.
On the Fords after the facelift they were available in LX, Zetec and Ghia trim. The LX is pretty basic, though all models have air-con (climate on the Ghia), a heated front windscreen, the Zetec and Ghia have parking sensors front and rear as standard on facelift cars. I'd go for the Ghia which has electric windows all round, climate control, CD autochanger, nice velour/sometimes leather trim, and I'd go for a diesel, possibly an auto. VWs came in SL, Sport and Carat forms, the latter including leather/alclantara seats, additional armrests, and every extra you can think of really. Alhambras are generally well equipped too.
Fords tend to be worth less than the others, and the only real differences are some trim, and aesthetics.
They're definitely very practical MPVs, and they are available in either 6 or 7 seat configurations, the former having captains chairs with armrests. Buy on condition rather than spec, as these cars can have tough lives. Good luck with your search.
That's no mileage at all for that engine. Shame the steering wheel's in the wrong place!
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