This had left the way clear for Toyota to clean up in the family/fleet segment until a smarter looking VW Passat started to eat into both their sales. Now Mondeo is back with all guns blazing on the price and equipment fronts. Expect a battle royale.

New Mondeo has a lot going for it. It looks good, the lines are clean and modern and grille, air intake, front lights and bonnet give a strong appearance. The car has a good aerodynamic profile and on the road it is an attention grabber. The rear-end is equally strong where the flowing lines sweep down to prominent light clusters. So will this good-looker sell in the high numbers Ford is hoping for? The answer is that it will take lots of sales from nearest rivals VW Passat and Toyota Avensis. It is marginally better looking than the Passat and the Avensis is beginning to lack in spite of the facelift. It is due for replacement by a new model for 2009 sales.

A definite boost for Mondeo sales is the arrival of a 1.6-litre petrol engine. The previous model offered a 1.8-litre unit at entry level and this inhibited sales to the private buyer end of the market. The good news here is that the 110 PS power output of the 1.6-litre unit is doing the same work as the outgoing 1.8-litre unit but with the obvious tax, insurance and residual sales benefit of the smaller engine.

Also Mondeo is very keenly priced. The saloon comes in at 25,595, 1,085 less than the Passat saloon and 40 less than the Avensis saloon. Toyota beat Ford by 60 when it comes to the hatchback . . . 26,195 for Ford and 26,135 for Toyota . . . VW do not offer a hatchback Passat. In estate version Ford comes out tops at 27,245, VW 28,385 and Toyota 29,53.

New Mondeo gets ESP (electronic stability control) as standard. This is an important add-on to the antilock braking system to stop skidding. This also comes as standard in the Passat but Toyota's equivalent system VSC (vehicle skid control), which is not a standard item on the 1.6 model, would cost 1,200 extra.

All three makers now provide air conditioning as standard on these entry level models. Ford gives seven airbags, VW eight airbags and Toyota nine airbags.

The model tested was the 1.6 LX hatchback, just 600 more expensive than the saloon. Both are excellent entry prices considering the amount of car you get. The Mondeo has a spacious interior and is comfortable. There is lots of leg and shoulder room front and rear and seats are supportive.

The equipment includes steering controls for in-car entertainment and trip computer, electric front windows, heated wing mirrors, remote central locking, rear centre armrest, follow-me-home lights, 16" wheels and tinted glass.

The next step up is the Zetec level of trim where prices for the hatchback are 2,200 over the LX trim. This model comes with cruise control, alloy wheels, fog lights, dual zone air-conditioning, four electric windows and electric driver's seat adjustment.

On the road the Mondeo's engineering works very well. The suspension gives a very refined drive and makes easy going of long journeys. The LX will be the big seller, possibly in four-door configuration and it would be well worth specifying cruise control, which is an optional extra, and Bluetooth which is available for 350.

All the extra braking and traction control equipment make the Mondeo a very safe vehicle.

There are ISOFIX fixing points for child seats on the two rear outer seats. Ford boast of the strength of the rigid body cage.

The 1.6-litre engine is economical if not driven hard and develops 160 Nm of torque at 4100 rpm. There is enough power for light business and family outings but those who need a load puller might look at the 2litre 145 PS output engine.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Ford Mondeo LX hatchback
Engine 1.6 petrol 110 PS 16 V
Length 4778 mm
Width 2078 mm
Height 1500 mm
Wheelbase 2850 mm
Acceleration 0-100km / 12.7 secs
Top speed 190 kms
Transmission 5-speed manual
Economy 7.2L /100 km mixed driving
Price 26,195
C0 2emissions 172 g/km