The Mondeo hatchback gained a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating and a place among the safest cars you can buy. The level of safety equipment is impressive. Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) – which prevents the driver cornering too quickly – is standard on every car. There are also seatbelt pre-tensioners, dual front, side, curtain and knee airbags, a collapsible steering column and ABS.

Keyless entry is available on some models. You can leave the key in a pocket or bag. The car senses your approach and unlocks the car. After that it’s just a case of pressing a button on the dash and the car starts. Safety on the2010 Mondeo has been enhanced. Optional extras on the new car include includes blind-spot alerts, lane-departure steering-wheel vibrators, an alertness assessor, a rear-view camera, automatic headlight dipping speed limiter and LED daytime running lights.

The Mondeo has a generous boot, easily able to swallow several suitcases or sets of golf clubs. The rear seats fold down but it lacks the outright carrying capacity and practicality of the hatchback and won’t be as good for family buyers. Inside there are two cupholders built into the centre console and an air conditioned glovebox. The most ingenious feature is one of the simplest – the fuel filler.

Not only does the Mondeo do away with a conventional cap (it’s fixed permanently to the flap, which means you don’t get petrol or diesel on your hands), but it’s impossible to fill it with the wrong fuel – it will only allow the right nozzle into the fuel pipe, so you don’t become one of the 250,000 people who mis-fuel their car every year.