Ford Mondeo hatchback: spacious and well equipped

Price: £20,795 - £25,745

Pros: Large range of models, good to drive, spacious interior

Cons: Dated design, especially inside, cumbersome to manoeuvre, due to be replaced soon

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4.0/5, Carbuyer "The current Mondeo is the fourth generation that Ford has sold in the UK. It made a cameo appearance in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, then went on sale here a year later. That means the Mondeo is rather old now, although a constant programme of improvements made by Ford has kept the car competitive, and it's had plenty of positive reviews, including winning the Carbuyer Best Large Family Car award in 2011.

And with the Mondeo being replaced by an all-new model in late 2014, dealers are likely to offer substantial discounts as they clear current stock in preparation for the arrival of the new model.

The Mondeo is available as a five-door hatchback or a huge estate and comes in a wide choice of trim levels – there's Edge, Zetec Business Edition, Titanium X Business Edition and Titanium X Sport. Its biggest rivals are the Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Passat. Like its rivals, the Mondeo is very popular with fleet buyers, so the line-up of powerful yet economical diesel engines is popular. They tend to be most sought-after on the used market, too, should yo

Ford does offer a 1.6-litre petrol in the cheapest model, and the 1.6 and 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrols on some trims, but diesel is the best choice. Likewise, the automatic gearbox isn’t the smoothest and harms fuel economy, so the slick six-speed manual gearbox is the one to go for.

The Mondeo was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2007, and it achieved a five-star rating – although the test has become more stringent since then."

3.0/5, Auto Express, "The Ford Mondeo feels like an old car now. The dated interior is the biggest giveaway and great dynamics can't make up for poor emissions."

7.0/5, Telegraph "The Ford Mondeo has long been a family favourite, thanks to its blend of comfort, space and driving fun. The current version might be getting on a bit, but it's still an appealing option if you’re after something that's big and enjoyable to drive."

5.0/5, Honest John "Fantastic to drive. Refined and comfortable to travel in but large size means it can be tricky to park without parking sensors."