Review of the new Ford Mondeo Estate

Given the choice, I'd take the estate version every time. Actually, let's qualify that a little. There's always the odd rogue monstrosity that people use to beat you over the head with after this kind of sweeping statement so let's say that where one is offered, I prefer the estate versions of most modern cars. The bigger boot obviously helps but the looks of a saloon or hatch will often be improved upon by the estate. It's the visual lengthening and lowering of the car's silhouette by the flat roofline that tends to tip the balance and Ford's Mondeo Estate is prime example of the estate effect in action.

Aesthetically, if not in terms of sales, the estate has benefited greatly from the proliferation of MPVs. With these bluff, boxy people-movers becoming the staple choice of family buyers looking for ultimate space and practicality, the modern estate as been freed to grow sleeker and more thrusting in appearance. Now more likely to be titled sport wagon or sport tourer rather than plain old estate, these vehicles tend to deliver a more cohesive design proposition than before. They're also less commonplace on the roads and you get the extra practicality of that bulked-out load area in the rear to boot.

The Mondeo Estate is available with the full range of engine options meaning the entry-level choice is a 123bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine and the 2.0-litre 143bhp unit comes next. Then there's the range-topping 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged unit with 200bhp. This most powerful petrol option promises real character and pace and should keep costs reasonable too. Diesel customers get either 1.8 or 2.0-litres but the 1.8-litre is offered in 123bhp form while the 2.0-litre comes with either 113bhp, 138bhp or 161bhp. A six-speed automatic option is available with the more powerful engines in the range.

Ford really has got the dynamics of the latest Mondeo well sorted. Some have bemoaned the loss of a little directness from the steering and feedback from the wheels but most Mondeo buyers will be delighted to pay that price for its exemplary comfort and low noise levels when cruising. Besides, it's still just about the best handling car in the medium range sector, standing comparison with the top offerings from the compact executive class above.

"The Ford Mondeo Estate capitalises on the spacious interior and striking looks of the standard car"

The suspension can clunk over potholes and drain covers when you're pressing on down your favourite B-road but it's beautifully balanced as it carves through corners and can be genuinely enjoyable on any road. The estate is available with self-levelling suspension at the rear to help it cope with big cargos and the lift back bodystyle actually has almost 160% more tensional rigidity than the its predecessor, which accounts in part for that polished driving experience.

At 4.8m long and nearly 1.9m wide, the Mondeo Estate is a big car and the impression of size stays with you whether you're in the back seat, at the wheel or standing outside looking at the thing. Most buyers will be attracted by these capacious dimensions rather than the Mondeo Estate's elegant lines and with a massive 542 litres available in the boot, who can blame them? Fold down the 60/40 split rear bench and that capacity more than trebles to 1,733 litres. That's one big boot and its usefulness is enhanced by tie-down points in the floor and fixing hooks for a luggage net. There's also a 12v power supply in the rear for charging your appliances and the Estate comes with a full length load cover to shield the car's contents from prying eyes.

The design team has also paid great attention to interior detailing, and examples of this include new generation infotainment systems, plus the next generation of Ford's Human Machine Interface (HMI). This easy to use system features the same steering-wheel toggle switches seen on Galaxy and S-MAX, but introduces the availability of a large central LCD screen with full colour graphics situated between the main analogue instruments in front of the driver. Rear seat headroom and legroom have also come in for scrutiny by the Mondeo development team and these have been maximized for occupant comfort and safety.

Trim levels run from Edge through Zetec to the Titanium, Titanium X and Titanium X Sport grades. Even the bog standard car benefits from air-conditioning, cruise control, a CD stereo, a trip computer, the Quickclear heated windscreen and a leather steering wheel. Meanwhile, all Mondeos also get the handy FordEasyFuel filler cap that does without the filler cap and prevents you from putting the wrong fuel in the car. Safety provision includes ESP stability control and the Intelligent Protection System that includes a front side and curtain airbags plus a driver's knee bag.

One of the main criticisms that's been levelled at each iteration of Ford's Mondeo down the years is that everybody's got one. Close to 1.2m cars have been sold since 1993 and around 70% of those have gone to fleet customers. It's not surprising that the nation's road network at rush hour has sometimes resembled a Mondeo-only car park.

The car has always been pretty good too, placing buyers in a difficult quandary. Do you join the Mondeo meritocracy or go for something that another three people in your street haven't already got? One way out of this is to look at the estate version. Only 24% of latest shape Mondeos are predicted to be estates, so this could be a great way to cash in on its benefits while retaining an element of exclusivity.

Depreciation is always a big issue for private buyers in the medium range sector and despite benchmarking cars from the compact executive sector during its development, the Ford will hang onto its value significantly less effectively than a BMW or Mercedes. In order to keep everyday running costs down, 70% of buyers will gravitate towards the diesel engines. The range-topping 161bhp 2.0 TDCi engine has to be the star because its economy and emissions are at identical levels to the less powerful versions of the same unit. Buyers benefit from 53mpg combined cycle economy and 139g/km emissions whether they go for 113, 138 or 161bhp which is very good going.

The EcoBoost petrol engine also deserves a mention if for slightly different reasons. With 200bhp, this unit is well equipped to make the most of the Mondeo's well balanced chassis but it still achieves 37mpg and 179g/km emissions when mated to the Powershift automatic gearbox. It seems that low running costs can be fun.

The Ford Mondeo Estate capitalises on the spacious interior and striking looks of the standard car with additional load space and more elegant styling. The Mondeo chassis is one of the finest in the sector, build quality is very impressive and Ford have even managed to keep the pricing reasonable. The recent growth in popularity of MPVs and 4x4s amongst family buyers may have stolen some of the estate car's thunder. The concept might be a little unfashionable but this is still about as good as medium range estates get.

The long, low estate shape is never going to be as practical for families as an MPV but buyers seeking a great-handling, good-looking car with some extra versatility contained within its interior will appreciate the Mondeo Estate. Most Ford Mondeo buyers will still opt for the five-door hatch bodystyle but this may serve as an extra benefit to those shrewd enough to pick the liftback, the rarer estate shape bestowing a little extra exclusivity onto one of the UK's most popular cars.

TOP 5 MONDEO DEALS

The results below show the top MONDEO deals on buyacar

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Edge 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £15,795 Read Mondeo Reviews	Save £5,841
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 163 Titanium X 5dr Diesel Hatchback
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Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 163 Titanium X 5dr Powershift Diesel Hatchback
Price £20,070 Read Mondeo Reviews	Save £6,520
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Titanium 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £17,093 Read Mondeo Reviews	Save £5,397
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Titanium 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £17,999 Read Mondeo Reviews	Save £5,741
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