THE Mondeo has always been sure about its role in life, the chosen vehicle to fill the driveways of middle-class Britain. So to find the new version with greater aspirations is a surprise and one which could have a telling effect on the car market here.
It's not that Ford is abandoning its place in middle-class hearts - it would hardly want those customers dashing off to Vectras or Octavias or whatever. No, the price bands stay much the same (some down, in fact), but what the new Mondeo offers could also appeal to those currently in the next frame up, the compact executive-car class.
It's not a case of downsizing, the buzz word of a few years ago, because the newcomer is quite a sizeable vehicle, with passenger and luggage space that embarrasses quite a few exec-class big guns. No, the appeal is straight to the wallet - look, you can have a car that at least rivals your present one but for a lot less purchasing and running money.
To make this case stick, of course, the Mondeo has had to be upgraded, and that's just what Ford has gone for, improved build, more high technology, enhanced style and better quality furnishings.
Just looking at the car shows the thinking. Stand face on and the eye is bound to be caught by the grille and lights designs and the bulge of the shoulders, emphasised by the emboldened signature 'eyebrows' above the arches. There's a grace and eagerness about the car which is new to it.
And the same can be said for the interior where the décor and furnishings have been upgraded significantly. Poke around a bit and you can still find patches of cheapish plastic, but the stuff on view is much better. I had reservations about the overkill of glittering metal scattered about in the test car, but that's part of the Titanium X trim and can be avoided if you prefer something more dignified.
Comfort and equipment levels are both impressive in a sub-£22,000 car (the entry new Mondeo is £15,695, so we are talking near-top-of-the range). Comfort features include Alcantara/leather upholstery, dual climate control and heated front seats with part-electric adjustment; safety sees an electronic stability programme, front, side, curtain and driver's knee airbags, cruise control, automatic wipers and lights, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist and steering-wheel controls for a range of services.
Other fittings include an advanced information-display screen aka Human-Machine Interface System (satnav is an option, however) a six CD autochanger, look-round-corners headlights, a starter button, blue glass and Ford's new capless fuel-filling system, which prevents you putting the wrong stuff in.
All very admirable, but to achieve its new ambitions the Mondeo has to match the handling and ride characteristics of the brands it is attacking.
Well, the turbo diesel engine used in this car gets it off to a fine start, smooth enough to fool the casual observer into thinking it is a petrol unit (as it did with one passenger). Here it gives 138bhp (there's also a 128bhp version) and 240lb/ft of pull (with temporary overboost available), so it's quick across the board, while being lean on fuel and reasonably clean on emissions. It's teamed with a six-speed manual transmission.
The super noise-smothering ensured good cabin calm, just a little noise off the 18in slimline tyres.
The big alloys were part of a sports pack added to this particular car, and that included a lowered sports suspension. Thus I can't tell you how the car performs with a normal set-up, but the experience here was encouraging - not aggressively firm but providing confidence-giving control. Good marks, too, for the hydraulic power steering which was crisp and gave quite helpful feedback.
I can't say there was any regime where the Mondeo was outstanding, but it did everything at least very well. And the spaciousness has to be admired, managing to provide excellent leg room for those at the back while giving 528 litres of boot space. Fold down the back seats and you have a huge 1,448 litres and a load-length capability of more than 1.8 metres.
Certainly, Ford seems to have ticked all the right boxes with this Mondeo to keep current customers more than happy and maybe find some new fans.
FAST FACTS
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi (140ps) Titanium X 5dr
Price: £21,845
Mechanical: 138bhp, 1,997cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 130mph
0-62mph: 9.2 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