Key facts
Model Tested: Mondeo 1.6 EcoBoost Titanium estate
Price: £21,545
Date tested: November 2010
Road tester: Martyn Collins

Ford is following the current trend of offering smaller, more powerful engines with the introduction of the 158bhp, 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine for the revised Mondeo range.

In this hard-fought fleet and family sector, it's surely a reason to consider the recently face-lifted Mondeo over the Toyota Avensis and Vauxhall Insignia.

Available in Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X trim levels, the new engine boasts 13bhp more than the bigger 145bhp 2-litre petrol engine. It's also cleaner and more economical, with an average fuel consumption of 41.5mpg (up from 35.8mpg in the 2-litre) and emissions of 158g/km of CO2 (down from 189g/km).

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Considering the engine's size and the weight of the Mondeo's body, we were surprised at the eager, refined performance. The Ford is still the driver's car of this class with responsive steering and taut handling; it's well matched to the crisp six-speed manual gearbox too.

This Mondeo proves that small can still be mighty as the top speed is 134mph, with 62mph coming up in just 9.3 seconds. Add in running costs that are comparable with the popular 140bhp 2.0-litre TDCi diesel and you've got a tempting proposition for both fleet and family buyers.

Mondeo Man never had it so good, as it's our favourite version of the revised range and likely to continue this car's dominance of UK roads.