Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 85%

James Bond’s and Ford Mondeo were four words which didn’t seem like they had a lot in common until the US manufacturer revealed it had given the big-selling saloon a huge shove upmarket.

Now the Ford Mondeo has got the looks to square up to its German rivals Audi and BMW and - with an ever-improving stable of good quality models - that blue badge is starting to look more appealing.

Auto Trader Editor Adrian Higgins test drove a Ford Mondeo for a week to see how it shaped up.

View more pictures of the Ford Mondeo

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

The new Ford Mondeo – available as hatchback, saloon or estate looks miles better than its predecessor. Ford’s “kinetic design” has applied a unifying family brush to its range of cars which has left them all looking improved. Influenced by its German rivals Audi and BMW, the Ford Mondeo now looks like a genuine alternative - from its cool-looking triangular rear cluster to its angled headlights. Touches from more premium cars have been woven in cleverly.

8/10

2. Looks inside

If the car’s exterior catches your eye enough to get in you’ll find the improvements continue inside. The Titanium X model we drove comes from the top end of the range and featured the Ford Covers+ system providing what Ford call a Human Machine Interface. This provides the digital display between the rev and speedo dials, which like the central stack controls, is easy to operate and looks very modern. Dark plastics and silver dominate the interior, providing a very liveable (and very large) upmarket environment.

8/10

3. Practicality

The four door saloon has 535-litres boot space which drops to 528-litres for the hatchback and rises to 542-litres for the estate. In two-seat mode the hatchback’s capacity increases to 1448-litres with the estate able to accommodate 1733-litres. There’s plenty of room inside The Ford Mondeo for people as well as luggage and leg and shoulder room is plentiful.

9/10

4. Ride and Handling

Steers well, handles well, will deliver you to your destination in comfort. Drivers expect these qualities in a Ford Mondeo and the latest version delivers in spades. The new Ford Mondeo is a very talented car with the ability to make your drive entertaining as well as functional.

9/10

5. Performance

With four petrol and three diesel engines available, there are alternatives to suit most needs: from the environmentally friendly Econetic (53.3mpg and 139g/km CO2 emissions) to the performance orientated 2.5-litre petrol model featuring the same engines as the Ford Focus ST (7.3 seconds 0-60 time and 152mph top speed). We drove the extremely accomplished 175bhp 2.2-litre TDCi coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox. This was a later addition to the new range and will likely prove a popular choice with motorway cruisers with an eye on performance (0-60mph time of 8.4 seconds and 139mph top speed) and decent economy.

8/10

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6. Running Costs

The wide range of engine choices and set-ups means you can play a big role in choosing how much your Ford Mondeo will cost to run. Go for the 1.8-litre diesel five-speed Econetic saloon and 139g/km CO2 emissions will keep your car tax down to £120 a year and your fuel consumption should average at 53.3mpg. At the other end of the spectrum is the 2.5-litre petrol six-speed manual model which will cut fuel consumption to an average 30.4mpg and increase CO2 emissions to 222g/km - that’s currently £210 a year car tax. The 2.2-litre diesel model we drove gives the best of both worlds producing 165g/km CO2 (£145) and returning 45.6mpg.

9/10

7. Reliability

Ford is the ninth most reliable manufacturer according to the Reliability Index and the Ford Mondeo, now 15 years old, having a good record. Some models use existing engines and gearboxes which will also help reduce the likelihood of any problems.

8/10

8. Safety

The Ford Mondeo scored a maximum five star rating following EuroNCAP tests. Electronic Stability Programme, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Emergency Brake Assist and Anti-Lock Braking System are standard on all models – as are seven airbags.

9/10

9. Equipment

The Ford Mondeo range consist of five trim specifications: from Edge, through Zetec, Ghia and Titanium to the range-topping Titanium X. Standard features include air conditioning, Electronic Stability Program and Emergency Brake Assist, Ford Easy Fuel (which stops you putting the wrong fuel in), trip computer, cruise control and leather steering wheel. Zetec adds 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured door handles, front foglights, dual zone air conditioning and leather gearknob. Ghia and Titanium trims feature 17-inch alloys with the Ghia favouring the wood trim and the Titanium silver. Titanium X adds adaptive front light system, starter button and alcantara/leather trim.

8/10

10. X-Factor

Exterior looks. A full year after its launch and a Ford Mondeo is still turning heads? Says it all.

9/10

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Video: Watch the excellent Ford Mondeo in action