EVER since the Mondeo took over from the Sierra in the UK market back in 1993, Ford has worked hard to gain a hold on the premium side of the executive car market.
Currently presided over by the German triumvirate of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, this medium size executive car world has proved an almost no-go area over the past 14 years to models of the Blue Oval badge.
Despite this the Ford Mondeo has been in the top ten best selling cars since its launch in the spring of 1993. More than a million have been sold in Britain and, with a refreshed range arriving in 1996 and an all-new Mondeo line-up making its presence felt in the year 2000, Ford has kept up the pressure on the competition.
However, when a mass manufacturer finally produces a model which does tick all the right boxes and also comes bearing a much more buyer-friendly price tag starting at £14,995 then things could be about to change.
The new Mondeo comes in three model guises, four-door saloon, five-door hatchback and estate car, each boasting a sleek and dynamic profile which becomes almost poetry when in motion.
Overall sizing is in excess of the outgoing model, including a five-inch increase in the width, all of which translates into useable and very comfortable cabin and luggage space. And, while there is the feeling of sophistication and premium quality throughout, there are extremely generous, good value trim levels of Edge, Zetec, Ghia and Titanium X.
The wide range of engines on offer is typically Ford, with five petrol units available, ranging from the 109bhp 1.6-litre Duratec, through the 1.6-litre 123bhp, 2.0-litre 143bhp and 2.3-litre 158bhp, topping out at the 2.5-litre 218bhp while diesel urge comes courtesy of a quartet of oil burners in the shape of 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCIs housing 98bhp and 123bhp and 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCIs pulling 128bhp and 138bhp respectively.
I've just tried the new Mondeo Estate, a truly handsome model which has to be seen and experienced to believe.
Featuring the range-topping Titanium X specification, the car came with all the bells and whistles most motorists would desire. This included the likes of Alcantra/leather seat trim, Dual-Zone Electronic Temperature Control (DEATC), electric windows all round, Quickclear heated front windscreen, foldable, electrically operated and heated door mirrors with puddle lamps and eight-speaker sound system with six CD autochanger with easy-to-use steering wheel-mounted controls.
Ford's Adaptive Front Lighting System is also fitted as standard on the top range model.
All new Mondeo models include as standard highly effective driver safety aids such as ABS braking with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Assist.
Although the outgoing model was far from shabby in its interior make-up, the new car features a cabin which is out of the top drawer.
Soft-to-the-touch materials with some tastefully used brushed aluminium features and piano-black lacquer inserts add a touch of class.
On the estate luggage space is positively huge at 940 litres with all seats taken and 1,685 litres with rear seats folded down. It is also user friendly and intrusion free.
Powered by Ford's 2.0-litre diesel engine developing 138bhp and paired with a smooth-slotting six-speed manual gear change the Mondeo Estate performed in refined fashion. No, it didn't completely hide its oil-burning ancestry, except perhaps on the cruise, but, on the whole, it is a well civilised oil-burner with a pleasantly distinctive sound.
The 0-60mph dash comes in a brisk 9.6 seconds and Ford's claimed 48mpg is a further plus.
In its early days, the Mondeo deservedly earned a reputation for some fine dynamics and nothing here has changed, the estate, like the hatchback, delivering ride and handling of the highest order.
Overall, this good value new Mondeo Estate is undoubtedly the best yet.
FAST FACTS
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi (140ps) Titanium X Estate
Price: £23,095
Mechanical: 138bhp, 1,997cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 9.6 secs
Combined mpg: 47.9
Insurance group: 9
CO2 emissions: 156g/km
BiK rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust