Ford's new Mondeo up close - Inside and outside

The Mondeo adopts Ford’ ‘kinetic design language’ and ‘shared technology initiative’ that brought us last year’s S-Max and Galaxy. In layman’s language, that means its basic mechanical structures are shared with Ford’ large MPVs, and that it continues the new look they introduced.

In the Mondeo, the look is even bolder and sharper. A crisp crease at waist level, uncluttered surfaces, strong wheelarches, a prominent two-part grille and nicely detailed light clusters demonstrate that style has been moved much further up Ford’ list of priorities.

It’s a bigger car in every way than the current Mondeo, and is longer than the Volkswagen Passat - previously the giant among family cars.

That’s good news for passenger space, which is now truly enormous. There has also been a useful increase in the capacity of the deep, rectangular boot – from 500 to 528 litres.

Smart fabrics, soft-touch trim materials and high-quality lighting are found inside, while instruments and switches also continue the premium-car feel established by the exterior styling.