Tow Car Awards: overall winner 2008

Kerb weight 1611kg Max towing weight 2000kg Towball limit 90kg

In the sophomore year of the Tow Car Awards, the third-generation Ford Mondeo Estate came out on top. And here's what we said about it at the time: 

The Mondeo does so many things so well, but let’s start with its interior. Compared with the old car – already large by executive saloon standards – the Mondeo is huge. Passenger space isn’t far behind some luxury cars, while in estate form, there’s impressive luggage space, too: 542 litres with the rear seats in place and 1733 with them folded.

True, the official figures can sometimes be misleading, because an awkward shape can reduce the usable space. But not so in this case; the Mondeo easily swallowed all our holiday luggage.

The interior isn’t just big, it’s well put together, too. The plastics and fit and finish stand comparison with many prestige saloons, 
yet the price tag is firmly rooted in the mainstream.

Settle in behind the wheel, and you’ll find plenty of adjustment for the wheel and seat. Short or tall, wide or thin, any driver should be able to find a comfortable driving position. Plus, the dashboard is clear and logical, with sensibly placed controls and clearly labelled buttons.

Turn the key, and you’re left in no doubt that there’s a diesel engine under the bonnet. Yet it’s a smooth engine; it doesn’t get 
too vocal under hard acceleration and there’s plenty of muscle for towing. At a steady 60mph it’s unstressed and quiet, happy to hold the legal limit from Newquay to Newcastle.

As impressive as the Mondeo is on the motorway, though, it’s when the road twists and turns that it really shines. The lane-change manouevre is probably the toughest aspect of our tests, but across all five weight categories, only a handful of cars could match the Mondeo’s poise, and most of those cost more than £40,000. 
Meanwhile the ride is well controlled yet comfortable, with or without a caravan in tow.

Our 1-in-6 test hill proved the come-uppance of many contenders, especially front-wheel drive models like the Mondeo. However, even
in damp conditions this car coped well; the handbrake held the outfit without needing a second, firmer pull, or the optional Hill-Start Assist system will do the job if you’re ham-fisted with the clutch and accelerator.

Our ratings

Towing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 4/5 Buying and owning 4/5 Overall 5/5

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