Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0TDCi
Ford's recently revised loader is now cleaner and more powerful than ever, and still one of the best handling cars in its class
As if to emphasise the size of the task facing the new 508, Ford gave the Mondeo a nip and tuck, and tweaked the engine range late last year, so our former class leader is in rude health.
We think the estate is the most attractive model in the Mondeo line-up. Its distinctive headlamps, Focus-inspired face and eye catching rear lights give it the sportiest appearance of all the cars here.
Titanium trim even includes a set of LED daytime running lamps at the front, although the car in our pictures is the higher-spec Titanium X, which also benefits from parking sensors and adaptive headlights.
The interior follows the sporty trend, with racy metallic-effect trim and full-colour readouts giving the familiar cabin a more modern feel. It’s brimming with equipment, too, with Bluetooth, DAB digital radio, dual-zone climate and cruise control all standard. However, leather trim adds £1,550 to Titanium models.
There’s plenty of room, and the rear seats will accommodate three adults in comfort. Load space is equally generous as the 537-litre boot extends to 1,728 litres when the seats are folded. The simple boot doesn’t have as many thoughtful touches as the class-leading Skoda, though.
Where the Mondeo scores is under the bonnet and on the road. As part of the revisions last year, the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel was introduced with three outputs – and the 161bhp version is the most powerful of the lot.
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Better still, its CO2 emissions are the same as for the 138bhp version. It is the most powerful on test, and gives the revised model a decent turn of pace. Fitted with the twin-clutch PowerShift gearbox, our test car sprinted from 0-60mph in 9.7 seconds, a fraction faster than the Peugeot, Skoda and Volkswagen.
It’s neither as refined nor as smooth as its rivals, but the powerplant delivers gutsy responses and comes allied to the most engaging chassis in the class. Only the driving position lets the Ford down – as in the Skoda, the optional electrically-operated seat makes room for the electric motors, so you sit higher than is ideal. Otherwise, the Mondeo has the sportiest character of all the cars tested.
This sensation is underlined by the communicative and precise steering, and it’s easy to forget you’re driving a big estate. The Mondeo feels smaller than its size, gripping hard in tight corners and resisting body roll effectively. This handling finesse doesn’t come at the expense of comfort.
Our test car’s large alloys took the edge off comfort, but standard Titanium models ride almost as well as the Superb – so the updated Mondeo is definitely a family car force to be reckoned with.
Details
Chart position: 3
WHY: The Mondeo was facelifted and received new engines at the end of 2010, and it’s still one of the best handling family cars around.
