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 a saloon or hatch will often look better in estate form. 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 108bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine which is alternatively available in 123bhp form. The 2.0-litre 143bhp unit comes next, then there's the 159bhp 2.3-litre option and the range-topping 2.5-litre 217bhp five-cylinder turbo unit. This most powerful petrol option has real character and pace, capable of 0-60mph in 7.5s whereas the refined entry-level choice takes 12.6s to do the same. Mainstream diesel customers get either 1.8 or 2.0-litres but the 1.8-litre is offered in 98bhp or 123bhp form while the 2.0-litre comes with either 128bhp and a 6-speed automatic gearbox or 138bhp and a 6-speed manual. There's also a 175PS 2.2-litre TDCi engine in the flagship Titanium X Sport model. The automatic option is also available with the 2.3-litre petrol. The most powerful diesel takes 8.1s to go from 0-60mph and the entry-level model takes 12.4s. Around 70% of all Mondeos sold will be diesels.

"The Mondeo chassis is one of the finest in the sector"

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 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 new 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 and Ghia to the Titanium, Titanium X and Titanium X Sport grades. The estate bodystyle is priced at £1,250 more than the identically valued saloon and hatch which puts the entry-level 89bhp 1.6-litre Edge model at £16,455 and the flagship 2.5T Titanium X Sport at £26,605. 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. Ford's medium ranger has constantly commanded a place in the UK's top 10 selling cars since 1993. Close to 1.2m cars have been sold over that time 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 98bhp option is the most economical on the combined cycle, averaging 48.7mpg, but there's little penalty even for choosing the 143bhp range-topper with its 47.9mpg returns. All the diesels emit between 154 and 156g/km of CO2 so there's not much to split them here either.

The 2.5T petrol engine is predictably thirsty with its 30.4mpg average and 222g/km CO2 emissions which won't win it many friends in the fleet fraternity. The most fuel-efficient of the Mondeos on unleaded is the 39.2mpg 108bhp 1.6-litre option. The Mondeo Estate is only around 20kg heavier than the hatch or the saloon, which is actually the longest model in the range, and there's no discernable fuel economy or emissions penalty for choosing it.

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 Titanium 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £280	Saving £4,557	Price £16,233
	Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £297	Saving £4,853	Price £17,187
	Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Ghia 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £298	Saving £4,853	Price £17,187
	Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCi Titanium 5dr [6] Estate
	ETR	Mthly £286	Saving £4,652	Price £16,538
	Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Edge 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £264	Saving £4,319	Price £15,471

typical 10.40% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000