If you are a looking for an estate car for all-season touring, the Ford Mondeo 4×4 deserves a place on your shortlist.
Stability at speed is very good. At 60mph it was absolutely secure, although some drivers found car and caravan wandering slightly between 60mph and 70mph when the wind picked up.
The engine has 180PS (177bhp) and 295lb ft of torque, which makes for quick and decisive acceleration when towing. Sprinting from 30-60mph took 12.3 seconds. What’s more, four-wheel drive helps make the most of that power in all conditions; the Mondeo eased through the hill-start test, wet or dry.
Leave the caravan behind, and the Mondeo is an enjoyable and comfortable everyday drive. There’s little wind or road noise on the motorway, and a comfortable driving position helps the miles tick by. On twistier roads it handles well, as you’d expect of a Ford, although not every driver will warm to the steering’s strong self-centring action.
Inside, the Mondeo is roomy, although it doesn’t quite match the VW Passat Estate for rear legroom. Boot space is also down on the Passat’s, even more so with the optional full-size spare fitted to our test car.
Disappointingly for an estate of this size, there wasn’t enough space for our typical load of holiday luggage.
