Ford Mondeo Estate vs rivals

To say we’ve been waiting a while for the arrival of the new Ford Mondeo is a bit of an understatement. It was launched in US showrooms as the Fusion back in 2012, but it’s only just landing on UK shores now. Ford delayed the car over factory capacity issues after closing its Genk plant in Belgium and shifting production to Valencia, Spain, and has taken the chance to move the Mondeo upmarket and battle compact executive cars in the sales charts.

The big question is, has it been worth the wait? To find out, we’ve lined up a new diesel-engined Mondeo Estate against two rivals that will challenge its family friendly credentials to the limit. The Mazda 6 is a current Auto Express favourite – it was crowned Best Family Car at our New Car Awards 2014 – and in Tourer estate guise it mixes sharp handling with even greater versatility. Meanwhile, the Skoda Superb Estate delivers huge carrying capacity for luggage and passengers at a brilliant price.

Can the new Mondeo serve up a mix of performance and practicality that will have the edge over rivals? Or is it a case of Ford delivering too little, too late?

• Ford Mondeo Estate review

• Mazda 6 Tourer review

• Skoda Superb Estate review

Read full reviews by following the links above, and scroll down to see which car comes out on top...

Head-to-head

Boot space

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The Mondeo’s 525-litre boot is 108 litres smaller than the Superb’s, but ahead of the 6 Tourer’s by 19 litres. Fold the seats flat, and the Ford has 1,630 litres, although that’s 18 and 235 litres down on the Mazda and Skoda respectively. All three cars have flat floors; trouble is, in the Skoda you need to flip up the seatbases to achieve this. The Mazda has handy back seat releases in the boot, which makes folding them a lot easier.

Emissions

Thanks to its 110g/km emissions, the Mazda is the cheapest company car choice here. Business users might also want to check out the Mondeo ECOnetic and Superb GreenLine III models, though. While they won’t perform nearly as well with a full load, they offer cheaper tax rates than our 6 2.2D SE-L Nav.

Safety kit

The new Mondeo has lots of safety kit. Titanium cars get lane assist and traffic sign recognition (it’s £525 on the Zetec), but adaptive cruise is a £900 option. Inflatable seatbelts in the rear (above) are another option. They cost £175, and help to spread crash forces across the body in an accident.

Verdict

1st place: Mazda 6 Tourer

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We’ve always thought the Mazda 6 is a strong contender in the family car class, and that belief hasn’t changed with the arrival of the new Mondeo. The 6 Tourer is practical and spacious, while the 2.2-litre diesel is a punchy performer that doesn’t compromise efficiency. Add in engaging driving dynamics that don’t come at the expense of comfort, and the 6 is a clear winner.

2nd place: Ford Mondeo Estate

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It’s close, but the new Mondeo comes second to the Mazda 6. Ford has improved its family car in many areas: it’s comfortable, relaxing to drive, has a spacious interior and a user-friendly infotainment system. Yet some of the driving sparkle that made the previous model stand above the family car pack has been lost, while the estate isn’t the roomiest or most practical choice.

3rd place: Skoda Superb Estate

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If you want the biggest boot for your cash, the Superb Estate won’t let you down. It’s also the best car this side of a luxury limo for rear legroom. But the current car is showing its age, as it’s short on kit compared to rivals, and isn’t as enjoyable to drive or comfortable on the motorway, either. We’re sure the new Superb will be a closer opponent when it arrives in the summer.

Ford Mondeo Estate vs rivals: key specs