Although not a performance car, the Ford Mondeo Estate Performance figures are competitive. A broad range of engines should satisfy anyone needing a large estate with frugal diesel and petrol engines, plus there are also high performance versions. A choice of two 1.6-litre petrol models is available, one with 110bhp and the other with 122bhp. Both use the same engine, but the 122bhp version revs slightly higher giving it a performance edge. The 100bhp 1.8-litre diesel estate is slightly quicker than the 1.6-litre on paper, and feels livelier on the road with all the extra pulling power available from the diesel engine. Both 2.0-litre engines feel fairly frisky, while people choosing an automatic transmission are offered the 161bhp 2.3-litre petrol model. The 220bhp 2.5T offers a genuine high-performance feel (the engine is borrowed from the Focus ST) along with a sporty engine note. However, if you want much of the speed of this engine, but acceptable running costs, a 2.2 TDCi was launched in May 2008. It produces 175bhp and has huge reserves of pulling power – as a result it’s only a second slower from 0-62mph than the 2.5T, and on the move feels rapid and refined.

In 2010 Ford added two new engines to its line-up – a new 237bhp version of the 2.0-litre turbo petrol EcoBoost engine and a new 197bhp 2.2-litre TDCi diesel. The 197bhp 2.2-litre TDCi Duratorq diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox is quite something. The engine is very refined and quiet making journeys relaxing. Performance figures are relative for this size of car – the petrol engine will get from zero-62mph in 8.3 seconds and it has a top speed of 141mph. While the 197bhp 2.2-litre diesel will complete the benchmark sprint in a time of 8.1 seconds and has a top speed of 140mph. The petrol unit tested was the 237bhp EcoBoost mated to an automatic six-speed PowerShift gearbox. There is plenty of pulling power 340Nm (and 360Nm when boost from the turbo is in use) and overtaking slower traffic on single-lane carriageways is completed with ease.

The Mondeo is both comfortable and agile for a large estate car. Its steering feel sets it apart from most cars of its type and the Ford reacts intuitively to the driver’s inputs. As a result it always feels composed on twisty roads with excellent body control and good levels of grip. It’s also possible to specify adaptive suspension. At the push of a button, you can change the suspension from ‘Normal’ to ‘Comfort’ or ‘Sport’.

In practice, the standard set-up will be ideal for most drivers, so you’re better off saving your money, however self-levelling suspension, which ensures the rear of the car doesn’t sag under heavy loads, is available on this estate version. However, if you want to drive enthusiastically, switch to Sport mode and the car becomes a little more responsive and the steering weights-up a little.