Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 150 AWD Review

On the road in normal driving situations, the car feels much as normal, with all of its 148bhp going to the front wheels. This optimises efficiency for day-to-day motoring.

The AWD system kicks in only when those tyres start to scrabble or acceleration becomes difficult – as it frequently does in the winter months.

Combined with high gearing, it perhaps isn’t best suited to this model’s steady rather than exciting power delivery, but the set-up does deliver the optimum compromise of performance, security and efficiency.

It certainly feels good on slippery or loose surfaces, enhancing the Mondeo’s already excellent handling and steering, and the reassurance of that extra grip means well contained understeer too. It’s seamless, as well – you probably wouldn’t even know whether two or four wheels are taking the strain, if it were not for a subtle dashboard display.

The additional AWD kit doesn’t detract from the family saloon in any other way, either; it’s contained beneath the car and doesn’t eat into cabin space.

So, for an initial extra outlay of around £1500, the Mondeo AWD makes sense. What’s not so clear-cut is the extra cost over the standard car at the pumps and in Benefit in Kind tax.

The reduced economy of 58.9mpg over the front-wheel-drive model’s 64.2mpg adds up, while CO2 emissions of 124g/km (up from 115g/km) see the Ford climb two company car tax bands. Private buyers come out of it a little better, though.

Weigh up your priorities – efficiency, or the safest, most secure handling in the family saloon class – and make your choice

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 150 AWD

Engine: 2.0-litre diesel

Price from: £25,295

Power: 148bhp

Torque: 273lb ft

0-62mph: 10.3 seconds

Top speed: 134mph

Economy: 58.9mpg

CO2: 124g/km