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  Stylish wagons such as the Ford Mondeo are making a diligent comeback. Photo Gallery

Neil McDonald road tests and reviews the Ford Mondeo.

In recent months there has been a good reason to put a wagon back on your shopping list. After years of being bare-basic transport, wagons fell out of favour when well-equipped crossover soft-roaders and big four-wheel drives flooded the market and became the preferred family transport.

But some of the newer load-luggers are making a diligent comeback. As many people are realising, they are more fuel-efficient, just as roomy and less costly to run than some of those juggernaut off-roaders you see on the school run. Importantly they are also far more stylish, drive exceptionally well and are better equipped than they were years ago.

The Ford Mondeo wagon is one example aiming for a slice of the mid-size wagon segment. The wagon joined the Mondeo lineup last year as part of a model upgrade and addition of the new up-spec Titanium.

Equipment levels were improved and technology such as adaptive cruise control introduced on the range-topping Titanium and XR5, which also got bi-Xenon headlights. The Titanium model adds some bling but if you want a wagon you're restricted to the lower-level LX and Zetec.

Price and equipment

At $36,990 the Zetec wagon sits above the equivalent hatch and benefits from the recent tariff reduction. As the sportier model, the Zetec is well equipped with cruise control, trip computer, 17-inch alloys, six-disk CD/MP3 audio, foglights, parking sensors and leather wrapped steering wheel. All Mondeos also get a comprehensive safety package with seven airbags (including a driver's knee bag) and anti-lock brakes and stability control, as well as a five-star crash rating.

Space

The wagon's biggest attribute is out back. There is 542-litre of luggage space with the rear seats up. When the 60/40 split seatbacks are folded there is a class-leading 1733 litres. As with many Euro wagons, the designers have put a lot of effort into form as well as function. The luggage bay has plenty of shopping bag hooks, luggage tie-downs, three 12-volt outlets and a sturdy luggage cover.

It misses out of the Japanese one-touch folding seatback levers found in the Mazda6 and Liberty wagon but gains Ford's capless filling system, voice-activated controls and follow-me-home lighting. Apart from the practical luggage space, there are also several nooks around the space-saver spare wheel to hide valuables.

Driving

It is not surprising that the Mondeo wagon is pure Europe and shares many of the quality attributes of the hatch. The cabin is up-market, has a quality look and feel and it will accommodate the needs of most families. Typically for a European car, the seats are initially firm but remain supportive and prove their worth over long distances. The switchgear is well-damped and has a durable look and feel. Unusually for a wagon too, comfort levels for back seat passengers are good too. The rear seat cushion is shallow but supportive and there is plenty of legroom.

Like the hatch, both the LX and Zetec use Ford's 118kW 2.3-litre Duratec four-cylinder engine mated to a silky six-speed automatic. Unfortunately the Titanium and XR5 is not available in a wagon. Around town and on the highway the 2.3-litre Duratec four falls into the adequate rather than outstanding category. A bonus is six-speed auto, with ratios perfectly matched to the engine. Sports mode delivers a little more mumbo when you need it for press-on motoring.

However, the big wagon means the Ford four has to work hard to maintain momentum and overtaking response in the 80km/h to 100km/h range does not feel as urgent as some of the bigger engined rivals. Despite the extra kilos, the four is reasonably economical.

In a mix of city and spirited country driving we managed 8.8 litres/100km, bettering Ford's claimed 9.5l/100km. The payoff is that the wagon, like the hatch, is a very accomplished all-rounder. There are no obvious trade offs for succumbing to practicality. The steering is precise with plenty of feedback and grip levels are high.

The ride is firm in that well-sorted European way but not too harsh as to upset occupants. This composure remains as the road deteriorates, the suspension soaking up corrugations and off-camber bumps without drama. Cabin noise is also well muted and dust sealing is excellent. It is very clear care has been taken at the design and engineering phases of the wagon to make sure it handles just as well as the hatch.

Ford must surely worry that buyers looking at an old-school Falcon wagon could come out of the showroom in a Mondeo wagon. It ticks all the right boxes. It is contemporary, roomy, safe, comfortable and an accomplished drive. Probably the only real angst it is only available with the 2.3-litre four and misses out on the far stronger and impressive TDCi turbo-diesel and even the turbocharged XR5 engine.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Makes serious sense for the school run over lumbering four-wheel drives.

Ford Mondeo Zetec Wagon
PRICE: From $36,990
ENGINE: 2.3-litre four-cylinder
POWER: 118kW at 6500 revs
TORQUE: 208Nm at 4200 revs
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed automatic
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 9.5/100km combined
CO2 EMISSIONS: 227g/km