What Car? Awards 2012

Ford Mondeo Estate

Winner, Best Estate Car

The Mondeo Estate is all things to all people - and our best estate car of 2012. Like its hatchback sister car, it's brilliant to drive, with engaging handling and direct, confidence-inspiring steering.

That it manages to combine all this with a comfortable, well-controlled ride is even more impressive, especially when many rival estates fail to get even one of these aspects right.

A smooth and strong diesel engine adds to the appeal but, even more important for business and private drivers, it's economical and doesn't pump out much CO2. You won't be bothered by excessive engine, wind or road noise, either, because the Mondeo is one of the quietest cars in its class.

It's one of the biggest, too. You'll have no complaints about cabin space, and the long, wide boot is huge. Not only that, it's also a practical, rectangular shape, and having no boot lip means loading heavy boxes and bags isn't a back-straining affair.

If you need even more space, folding the rear seats leaves a totally flat load floor. It's this kind of attention to detail that makes the Mondeo Estate such an outstanding car.

Read the full Ford Mondeo Estate review