Overall rating:

The looks remain the same, but Ford's Mondeo now has three new engines - two TDCi diesels, a 1.6 and a 2.2, and a 1.6-litre petrol EcoBoost unit. The Blue Oval is promising lower emissions and more refinement, along with a trick aerodynamic feature.

Key Facts

Pricing: £17,705 - £30,610
Engine: (new) 1.6-litre TDCi 115, 1.6-litre EcoBoost 160, 2.2-litre TDCi 200
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door hatchback/estate
Rivals: Volkswagen Passat, Vauxhall Insignia, Honda Accord
CO₂ emissions: 114g/km (1.6 TDCi), 149g/km (1.6 EcoBoost), 159g/km (2.2 TDCi)
Combined economy: 65.7mpg (1.6 TDCi), 44.1mpg (1.6 EcoBoost), 47.1mpg (2.2 TDCi)
Top speed: 118mph (1.6 TDCi), 134mph (1.6 EcoBoost), 134mph (2.2 TDCi)
0-62mph: 11.9 seconds (1.6 TDCi), 9.3 seconds (1.6 EcoBoost), 9.5 seconds (2.2 TDCi)
Power: 113bhp at 3,600rpm (1.6 TDCi), 158bhp at 5,700rpm, (1.6 EcoBoost)
Torque: 210lb.ft at 1,750-2,500rpm (1.6 TDCi), 199lb.ft at 1,600-4,000rpm, (1.6 EcoBoost)

In the Metal:

There's nothing new in the looks department, so check out our thoughts on the Mondeo's styling and interior here.

Driving it:

Refinement is the name of the game with the 1.6-litre engines. Each one proved remarkably quiet and the diesel in particular offers silky power delivery. Less so for the petrol, which requires work to make progress on faster roads, but it is exceptionally punchy from the bottom end - it behaves like a traditional petrol engine in the sense that it responds well to hard treatment.

The 2.2-litre diesel makes a welcome return to the Mondeo (Ford binned the last one because it was too dirty). It's super smooth and an impeccable companion for long-legged journeys, though its bulk renders the car less able around town.

The two 1.6-litre engines also come with stop-start systems, but we didn't find them particularly effective. Our West London test route included plenty of traffic light stops, but neither of the cars we tried were willing to switch off by themselves - even with the air conditioning turned off. We'll forgive it because the Mondeo's crisp handling still makes it a delight to drive.

What you get for your Money:

It's a case of 'get what you pay for'. The Mondeo is still at the top of its game in the D-segment but, as is usually the case with Fords, it's a bit dearer than most of the competition.

The entry-level model costs £17,705, but you'll pay £18,700 for a basic 1.6 EcoBoost Edge, £19,795 for an equivalent 1.6 TDCi 115 and a hefty £24,105 for the cheapest 2.2 TDCi in Titanium spec. The priciest Mondeo - a 2.2 TDCi automatic estate in Titanium X guise - now costs £30,610.

Worth Noting

The 1.6-litre engines are more significant, as Mondeos with the 2.2 TDCi lump have actually been around since the back end of last year. Ford mentioned that all three engines are now available in its large cars (Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max), though.

Ford has also introduced its Active Grille Shutter to further reduce emissions. It's controlled by the ECU and automatically shuts the grille slats when the engine doesn't require cooling. It's claimed to reduce aerodynamic drag by up to six percent.

Summary

The current Mondeo has been on the scene since 2007, but Ford's relentless efforts to upgrade and refresh it have ensured that it's still one of, if not the benchmark D-segment car in the UK. Fleet buyers in particular will relish its new fuel saving measures and lower running costs - and that's where the sales count for this type of car.