From Drive 13 Nov. Mondeo Underated Car in Australia

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Pitched as an alternative to the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore, which dominate the Australian fleet and family-car scene, the Mondeo is an enticing package with lots of cabin and hatch space, an excellent and economical diesel engine and impeccable European road manners. Stylish inside and out, with helpful splashes of class, the mid-sized Mondeo has no shortage of aesthetic appeal, either.

All Mondeos have a standard five-star ANCAP safety arsenal including seven airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes.

The range has just been enhanced visually with more standard inclusions, with the premium Titanium version scoring a welter of new safety-related functions, many usually found only in expensive European brands.

The 118kW/208Nm 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine struggles a little with the Mondeo's weight. Our preference is for the 2.0-litre turbo diesel (120kW/340Nm) with loads of pulling power from low revs and fuel use of a mere 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres (LX model). Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic.

Prices range from $30,990 (plus on-road and dealer costs) for the base LX hatch to $46,240 for the richly equipped Titanium TDCi hatch.

It's baffling that the Mondeo range managed only 3897 sales between January and October this year. But sales are up marginally on last year, so maybe consumers are slowly wising up.

Could this be because of FORDS lack of advertising the Mondeo!!!!!!!!!