Ford Mondeo v Vauxhall Vectra v VW Passat v Honda Accord
Ford’s all-new Mondeo estate takes on key class rivals from Vauxhall, Honda and Volkswagen in its first test
Only two months ago, we crowned a new family class champion, as the third-generation Ford Mondeo took on and beat its most direct and deadly rivals (see Issue 958). But that’s not the end
of the latest Ford’s trials at the hands of Auto Express.
Estate car sales are on the rise and, in recognition of this,
the load-lugging Mondeo goes on sale at the same time as
the hatchback. It’s expected to account for a quarter of sales.
But it’s not enough for Ford’s new estate offering to simply be
large – intelligent features and good interior design count for
a great deal among buyers who value practicality and flexibility above all. If the newcomer isn’t up to scratch in these areas, rivals will have a realistic chance to claw back lost ground – especially the Vauxhall Vectra estate, which uses the platform of the firm’s longer Signum, as well as Honda’s Accord Tourer, with its brilliant seat folding mechanism. The Mondeo will need to challenge the Volkswagen Passat estate for desirability, too.
Make no mistake, the blue oval’s estate is faced with an even tougher brief than its hatch brother. Let’s find out how it gets on.
Verdict
Which is the best estate? It’s not as easy an answer as you might imagine. Why? Because the finest all-rounders here aren’t necessarily the top buys.
Vauxhall and Honda have made their offerings big and flexible. The Vectra has been stretched, while the Accord has many clever features. However, the Vectra can’t match the all-round talents of the Passat or Mondeo – both are more upmarket, attractive and better put together. But it’s a shame neither followed Honda and developed intelligent seat folding mechanisms, for instance.
However, the Mondeo wins because it’s as big as the Vectra, is the best to drive, affordable to run and supple and refined on the road. Second place, by the narrowest of margins, goes to the Accord. It may not have the refinement or class of the VW, but it has a better engine and boot, and is very cost effective.
