Ford Mondeo Estate ST220 3.0i Duratec ST V6

Mondeo, simple, does what it should, can it be exciting though?

Well, in a word, no.

I use these cars at work along with Merc ML's, BMW 330d's, Vauxhall Vectra 2.8 twin turbo's and the 3.2's.

It's fine as in it goes from A to B without any fuss but other than that there is nothing to set your soul on fire.

The car itself doesn't look too bad I don't think but at the same time there is nothing that sets it apart from any other saloon in the market. The Vectra is a far better looking car.

Once inside it, well, this is where things are different. Compared to something like a Vauxhall Vectra (and especially the BMW) there is plenty of space, not only up front but in the rear as well. This is what splits it apart from the Vauxhall. There is tons of room inside it so you may well be able to loose the kids (good or bad thing, you decide). There is also the boot space, again, compared to its nearest rival the Vectra there is much more. It also has a lower boot lip on it making it easier to load.

The thing where I think the Vauxhall pips the Ford. Well, first of all, the Fords engine, it may be 3 litres and a V6 but it never feels like it. There is always just a muted hum from it when accelerating. Forgive me but people who go out and buy V6's tend to enjoy driving so want to feel alive when they plant their right foot in to the carpet!

There is also no sense of urgency to the engine. Sure it revs but it just goes through the revs at the same speed - boring. I can't quite put my finger on it but as I said, there is no sense of urgency. No doubt it can shift but I want a car to make me feel like it's getting a move on. Otherwise cars that lull you in to a false sense of security do so until that inevitable point of "I'm going to quick" arrives which is never good.

On a plus point the handling is fairly neutral. It never feels out of its depth unlike the Vectra. However, one downside is that it feels front heavy when going around corners. Again, this isn't noticeable until pushing on but it is enough to spoil the overall effect of such a planted car although its no where near as bad as the diesel Mondeo's.

Features wise all the 3ltr ones I've seen come with a good level of kit including AC/climate and cruise control although the cruise control is the worst system I've ever used (and they include Merc, Audi, Vauxhall, Alfa).

Fuel economy, well, don't buy a 3ltr car if you want good MPG. Around town don't expect more than 15-17mpg. On the open road 24-28mpg. From an engine that's putting out 200bhp that really isn't good. I get the same from my 3.2ltr 250bhp Alfa Romeo.

Servicing isn't too bad, after all it's a Ford and parts are cheap.

The worst thing I can think of about this car is the seat comfort. In the standard 3ltrs my back starts to ache after a few hours and I can never ever get a good driving position. Having driven the ST220's as well the seats in these seem much better.

All in all you'd be better off picking the ST220. Rarer and so much more of an overall package than the standard 3ltr Mondeo's.