Ford Mondeo - Pictures

Sharp lines and LED tail-lights help to give upmarket look

There’s too much silver and chrome trim on display. And we’re not convinced by the confusing instrument binnacle, although the screen mounted between the two dials is easy to control via the wheel-mounted buttons

The Mondeo is the only car here to offer a virtually flat load area, due to rear seat bases that tip forward. Up to 1,460 litres of kit can be swallowed by the hatchback – that’s over 400 litres more than the Vectra

These three buttons at the base of the centre console speak for themselves – press one for the damper setting of your choice. However, the system also continuously adjusts itself for road and driving conditions

With 785mm of knee clearance – nearly 100mm more than the Accord – the Mondeo has by far the most generous passenger compartment. The broad seat base is comfortable and well shaped, too

The first thing you notice is how heavy the doors are, but you soon come to appreciate the sculpted design, which gives plenty of elbow clearance when driving, a wide pocket and easy-to-reach grab handle

Keyless starting is standard on the top-spec Titanium X model, but isn’t available on any other Mondeo. Oddly, you have to pay another £175 if you want the far more useful keyless entry function, too