The Ronaldo of the motoring world

THE Ford Mondeo has probably won as many awards as Ronaldo or Messi since it was first introduced over 20 years ago.

The fifth generation of one of Ford’s best-sellers, has been available in the US for a few months now, but now it looks like we won’t see it in Ireland until early 2015, when production will be switched from Ford’s factory in Genk in Belgium to their plant in Valencia, Spain.

So Ford will continue with the fourth generation of the Mondeo, which we have had since 2007, until the new version is ready. Last year Ford gave the Mondeo a few tweaks to ensure that it’s able to compete with rivals like the VW Passat, Skoda Superb and Mazda 6. You get extras like cruise control, Sat Nav, fancy alloys, depending on the version you opt for.

The sales rep and taxi’s favourite now produces 8 per cent lower C02 emissions and the Duratorq diesel engine is one of the most frugal around.

I did a lot of urban driving in the 1.6 Zetec version and I can safely say that it was one of the most economical cars I drove in the past 12 months. The stop-start technology was not new to this version, but I think it helped me cover those extra kilometres.

My daughter, who is my regular front seat passenger morning and evening, is by now a good judge of new cars and she really liked this car. Obviously the Mondeo would be more attractive for families than a single girl, but you couldn’t but be impressed with the sturdiness of the car.

The cabin is very well designed and the controls on the dash are all user friendly. After driving a few cars recently with complicated radio settings, it was good to get back to a car that had simple 1-6 pre-selects for the radio.

The Mondeo is well able to carry five well-built adults and the boot is massive; you will have plenty of room for those golf clubs or indeed any hurling or football club you want to carry the playing gear for. And the good news is that you get a

‘mini’ spare wheel rather than a repair kit. As it’s a big motor you will appreciate the sensors when parking.

Prices start at

?¬23,950, while the test model I drove with a few extras, will cost you

?¬27,720. If you cannot wait until next year for the new model and a 151D registration then take a test drive and I think you will quickly realise that the revamped Mondeo is a powerful, comfortable car with a really frugal engine. On top of that with the drop in C02 emissions road tax is now only

?¬200.