Model: Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI 145PS Zetec hatchback
Mileage: 2,406
Fuel consumption: 41.7mpg
Insurance: 17E
Price: £19,895 on the road

Likes
Design, handling, comfort
Dislikes
Size, ubiquity, instrument illumination

The Ford Mondeo is a fleet and family favourite, combining the qualities of a spacious hatchback with great drivability. Stuart Milne will be behind the wheel of his for the next three months; these are his first impressions.

The Mondeo was launched as Ford's charge for taking sales from upmarket German brands such as BMW and Audi. While some badge snobs dismissed Ford's claims, that changed when they drove the car.

It might have the 'everyman' Ford badge, but the Mondeo drives every bit as well as the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4; it's one of the best-handling front-wheel drive cars available.

That's not at the expense of comfort though. The ride is smooth, but the chassis is controlled and soaks up bumps with aplomb. A pleasant side effect is a cabin that's exceptionally quiet, free from road, wind and engine noise.

A range of engines is available, but diesels make up the vast majority of sales, and the best all-rounder is the 138bhp 2-litre diesel. If offers identical fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as the low-power 115bhp version, but its extra performance is welcome.

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Over the last 2,400 miles, the Mondeo has proved to be an excellent motorway cruiser, with plenty of power for overtaking, and easy to drive around town. The six-speed manual gearbox is slick and has a positive feel.

It's also one of a few cars that's as happy cruising at 70mph on the motorway as it is being driving hard through a series of bends, thanks to the ultra-responsive steering that offers huge amounts of feedback too.

The car's Sport Pack - so often the spoiler of ride comfort - has little negative impact on most roads, although scarred tarmac sees the car jiggle. The big wheels look good, and although tyres will be more costly, there's no discernible increase in road noise or vibration.

Our test car is a Zetec, which is one of the most popular trim levels. It features a good level of equipment including electric folding mirrors, dual-zone climate control, front and rear electric windows and a trip computer.

Seven airbags are standard but at extra cost our car also has a DVD navigation system & USB (£1,500), metallic paint - Ink Blue (£445), partial leather seat trim (£750), privacy glass (£175), seat pack (£375), electric sunroof (£500), Sport pack (£500).

These extras take the Mondeo's £20,000 asking price to nearer £25,000, which could buy you a BMW 3-Series, albeit with less equipment. But with the Mondeo more comfortable and spacious, better equipped and at least as good to drive, the big Ford makes a superb choice for the pragmatists and the enthusiast alike.