June 2007

Not Sport Wagon, Touring or Avant – in fact, there’s no pretentious name at all for the new Mondeo estate. Ford simply wants this to be seen as an honest, straightforward family car – although the firm hopes you’ll find it stylish and desirable, too.

	We reckon it’s the best proportioned model of our quartet. The tail is neatly integrated and more curvy than the upright Accord’s, and doesn’t have the slightly ungainly look of the stretched Vectra

We reckon it’s the best proportioned model of our quartet. The tail is neatly integrated and more curvy than the upright Accord’s, and doesn’t have the slightly ungainly look of the stretched Vectra. A long 2,850mm wheelbase helps the Ford to disguise its size – it’s only 9mm shorter than the Vauxhall, and is both taller and wider as well.

Stylised details such as the side indicators and honeycomb rear lights are clear evidence that the company has spent plenty of money ensuring the car looks right. But we’re surprised that roof rails are on the options list, at £100.

They’re not the only things we feel should be standard – as on all three rivals, parking sensors are optional, too. While rear visibility in the Ford is great, the back of the car is so distant that warning beeps would make manoeuvres easier.

Of course, the estate’s size is great for when you want to pack it full of gear. Open the tailgate and you’re greeted by a huge, Vectra-beating 554-litre load area complete with plenty of useful nooks and crannies, as well as a removable boot floor to make it a breeze to keep clean.

The trouble is, the finish isn’t that special – the underfloor compartment comprises moulded polystyrene, and the seat folding mechanism is poorly designed. Still, the 1,745-litre capacity shouldn’t be sniffed at, while we were impressed by the rear seats, too; they’re trimmed in soft upholstery and provide plenty of space.

The front seats in our Titanium X test car are even better – yet those in the Ghia we used for our pictures lacked side support, and the wood trim on the console is nasty. By comparison, the Titanium X features a contemporary metal finish, while maintaining the Mondeo’s technologically advanced feel. The dash is well laid out, although the cabin lacks the VW’s clever overall design.

The Mondeo also trails the Passat in terms of punch; no great surprise considering that the 138bhp 2.0-litre TDCi engine is 30bhp down on the TDI. Just as significantly, though, the Ford weighs a hefty 134kg more than its VW rival.

However, even if you load the Ford with more than 600kg of kit, the powerplant won’t lose its composure. It’s not as smooth as the Accord’s i-CTDi unit, but the engine delivers its power very progressively and, with a 340Nm overboost facility, it provides plenty of pull.

This is aided by the model’s slick gearchange and the fact the car feels so light and easy to drive. A responsive brake pedal, superb sound suppression (the decibel readings were the same as the Passat’s on the move) and great motorway manners all help make it reassuring, too.

But it’s the suspension’s ability to soak up punishment and also deliver crisp handling that’s most impressive. Even though our car didn’t have the £650 optional IVDC electronic dampers – the ride was a fraction less refined as a result – it still proved the most comfortable of the four.

A chassis that’s poised, agile and unfazed by anything, plus light and accurate steering, add the final polish to the class’s best driver’s car. And from a family perspective, the palatial interior, cavernous boot and sheer breadth of capability make the Mondeo a highly convincing estate.

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