LIFESTYLE vehicles with countless cupholders and seats that slide, swivel or vanish into the floor are all the rage.
That's right, car buyers continue to desert the more traditional body styles like saloon and estate in ever increasing numbers as the SUV bandwagon rumbles relentlessly on.
Thankfully this swing to the offbeat isn't overly damaging Ford, with sales of the latest Mondeo - launched exactly 12 months ago - to private customers showing a healthy increase.
Not only that, but it's the top spec models that are attracting the lion's share of buyers. So much so that the company actually replaced the time-honoured Ghia trim level from the new Focus line-up, replacing it with luxury Titanium and Titanium X.
But it's the Mondeo we are concerned with here, and while each of the three body shapes possess substance and style it's the estate that really stands out.
Appreciably longer, wider and more elegant than its predecessor, the latest estate boasts a cavernous amount of space with a boot capacity of a colossal 1,733 litres with the seats folded. If you need to shift the kitchen sink, the Mondeo will manage the job.
The tested 2.0 TDCi Titanium X automatic is refined and strong courtesy of a lusty 140PS diesel engine and smooth gearshift. It also handles positively and comes into its own on the motorway.
A slick feature is the keyless entry and Power start button and there's also a suspension set-up available called Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control which alters the ride and handling.
This offers the driver a choice of three settings - Comfort, Normal and Sport - accessed via buttons on the lower dash.
Most people will opt for the precise Normal mode rather than the softer Comfort, though the Mondeo really comes into its own when Sport is engaged, firming up the suspension and transferring terrific feel to the driver.
Each of the model's four trim grades features one of Ford's latest innovations and the sort of attention to detail that makes the Mondeo stand out.
It's called Easyfuel and bearing in mind the 100,000 people who annually put the wrong juice in their car, the system only permits the correct diesel or petrol nozzle to be inserted at the filling station.
Inside, the switchgear and instruments combine digital displays with traditional dials while families will appreciate the rear seat ventilation and armrest with cup holders and storage compartment.
There's no doubt Ford has a fight on its hands because cars like the Mondeo don't sell nearly as well as 10 or 12 years ago, largely due to fleets cutting back on numbers.
But the latest estate is a class act, one with the quality, styling and driveability to rattle the leading German marques - and keep the SUVs at bay to boot.
FAST FACTS
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi (140ps) Titanium X Estate auto
Price: £24,655
Mechanical: 140ps, 1,997cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 124mph
0-62mph: 10.1 secs
Combined mpg: 39.8
Insurance group: 9
CO2 emissions: 189g/km
BiK rating: 27%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust