• Limited line-up of diesel options
• Strong pace and good refinement
• Hybrid not available in hatchback

Diesel engines

Buyers of the Mondeo hatchback can choose from various versions of Ford’s 2.0 EcoBlue diesel – the Mondeo Hybrid only comes as a four-door saloon.

There are two power outputs for the diesel available – 150hp or 190hp. The former also has 370Nm of torque, and comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive as standard. This manages 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds, while adding Ford’s Powershift auto sees the 0-62mph time increase to 10.3 seconds

If you want more performance, the 190hp version has 400Nm of torque. With front-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, this version will complete the 0-62mph sprint in 8.9 seconds, and will reach a 138mph top speed. Pick the all-wheel-drive version and the benchmark sprint is slightly lower, at 9.1 seconds.

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What’s it like to drive?

• Safe and secure handling
• But Mondeo feels big
• Not as nimble as a Mazda6

One Ford Mondeo characteristic that’s been a hallmark since the original debuted in 1993 is keen and engaging handling. However, this generation bucks that trend, because while it handles with greater agility and nimbleness than its size suggests, this car feels a lot softer in corners than its predecessors.

There’s no doubting its accuracy, grip and willingness to change direction, going exactly where you want it. But there’s little sensation of what the front end is up to coming through the steering wheel.

Whether over billiard table-smooth fresh asphalt or seen-better-days surfaces, the Mondeo rides well, with composed body control, reducing the floaty sensation some larger cars suffer. No adaptive suspension option is available, but the standard set-up works well.

Roll through corners is kept to a minimum, allowing you to maintain good progress without applying the brakes too much on twisty roads. The brakes themselves work effectively, with little sign of fading even after repeated, heavy application. Unlike the steering, the pedals feel well-weighted and there’s a slick, well-engineered shift action to the manual gearbox.

All of this means that the Mondeo is refined, composed and comfortable, just lacking the sparkle that has attracted keen drivers in the past. If that’s what you’re after, then the Mazda6 is the class leader for driver enjoyment. Even the Skoda Superb is a more entertaining drive than the Mondeo, thanks to a lower weight and the availability of a potent petrol engine.