Well done Mondeo :) - Positive Drive review.

[Yellow_Festiva]

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/new-c...826-1jdae.html

Middle class: Mondeo v Passat v Latitude
Matt Campbell
August 27, 2011

The battle for the mid-size segment heats up with the introduction of the updated Mondeo, Passat and new Renault Latitude. Click for more photos
Mid-size comparison test

The battle for the mid-size segment heats up with the introduction of the updated Mondeo, Passat and new Renault Latitude.

Inside this review...

Comparison summary
Volkswagen Passat 118TSI
Renault Latitude Luxe V6
Ford Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost

Matt Campbell puts three sophisticated, Euro-flavoured mid-sizers to the test.

BUYERS of mid-size cars are being spoilt for choice. Australia's medium-car segment is one of the most crowded, with more than 20 models priced at less than $60,000.

In particular, the number of cars priced between $35,000 and $45,000 has skyrocketed, with cars from South Korea, Japan and Europe all vying for the spot of bestseller, now held by the Australian-made Toyota Camry.

While the competition is a boon for buyers in keeping prices down, things are not so peachy for makers, with mid-size car sales having slumped significantly during the past 10 years.
Advertisement: Story continues below

This year, sales of medium cars are down by 10.6 per cent - almost twice as much as the overall car market has dropped.

But that's not stopping new cars from coming.

Take the Renault Latitude. The French brand is hoping the South Korean-built, partly Japanese mid-sizer will boost its luck in Australia, with two competitively priced, well-equipped models - and the option of petrol or diesel.

Or Ford's Mondeo - Drive's reigning Mid-size Car of the Year. An update has added a more efficient, turbocharged ''EcoBoost'' petrol engine to the line-up. It's the powerplant also due to be fitted to the brand's struggling Falcon next year, though the Mondeo version has slightly less pw5ower.

Then there's Volkswagen's Passat. The updated version may look different to its rounded predecessor but many of the engines and transmissions have carried over. Prices have dropped and standard equipment has increased.

So, which European-flavoured mid-sizer finds the happy medium?

Verdict

Buyers are spoilt for choice in this segment and their decisions are likely to be made to suit their very particular needs in a mid-size car. The three cars tested here are cases in point.

Renault's Latitude is one of the best-appointed cars for the money, with standard equipment that includes gear not fitted to any other car costing less than $100,000.

However, it is let down by a drive experience that feels clumsy and an engine and transmission combo that are not a very convincing proposition for those who like spending time behind the wheel. If bling is your thing, though, the Renault is your best option.

Volkswagen's refreshed Passat is reserved and refined motoring par excellence. With its new ''don't upset the neighbours'' appearance and economical, user-friendly powerplant, the Passat is likely to appeal to those who want a European car with some fancy equipment but don't want to cause a fuss.

The winner, though - by the slightest of margins - is Ford's Mondeo EcoBoost. The new powerplant adds a sophistication that is unsurpassed in this segment and its character strikes the ideal balance between fun-to-drive and family-friendliness.

The Mondeo, it seems, really is the happiest medium.

It also has the lowest RRP

[krzysiek]

Good stuff!

[Rodge]

Good result for Mondeo and new Ecoboost engine looks the goods but its a pretty ordinary effort from Drivel in terms of its analysis, for example where's the performance comparison, comparison of handling and braking and so on.

D grade effort from the Drivel writers masquerading as motoring journalists.

Can anyone post a link to a proper comparison review ?

[kypez]

They also had an article where the Focus beat the Cruse. Thats two out of two from Drive. (Again not the best written but still...)

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...827-1jf6n.html

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Good result for Mondeo and new Ecoboost engine looks the goods but its a pretty ordinary effort from Drivel in terms of its analysis, for example where's the performance comparison, comparison of handling and braking and so on.

D grade effort from the Drivel writers masquerading as motoring journalists.

Can anyone post a link to a proper comparison review ?

Originally Posted by kypez

They also had an article where the Focus beat the Cruse. Thats two out of two from Drive. (Again not the best written but still...)

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...827-1jf6n.html

Maybe last month's cheque from Holden bounced.........

Toby and Jezzy sitting in at tree
H-S-V-V-I-N-G.....

[mrghia]

some of the comments are pretty good.