New Ford Mondeo named Car of the Year

Troubled car giant Ford has been given a welcome boost by the news that the new Mondeo has been named Car of the Year.

The Mondeo was voted the best new car by experts at Auto Express, Britain's biggest-selling weekly motoring magazine.

And it was also named best in the family car class and best estate car too in the magazine's annual New Car Honours.

"The new Mondeo is Ford's finest ever car," said Auto Express editor in chief, David Johns. "Each and every model, whether hatchback, saloon or estate, has been designed and engineered to the highest standards. The car oozes quality, especially in the cabin which has levels of equipment and comfort which sets new standards for the class."

Ford - which is struggling with huge debts and facing having to sell-off Land Rover and Jaguar from its empire - beat rivals including prestige German makes, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and Audi to the overall Car of the Year title.

Other major winners included:
Vauxhall Corsa - Best Supermini
Honda Civic - Best Compact Family Car, and Best Hot Hatch (for the Type R)
Citroen C4 Picasso - Best MPV
Kia - for its industry-leading seven-year warranty

The Auto Express New Car Honours are the result of the biggest new car assessment programme carried out by any UK motoring magazine - with over 1,100 new cars independently tested each year on a wide range of key buying criteria, including practicality, value for money, performance, handling and safety. Uniquely, Auto Express also gives every car tested a green rating for environmental impact.

This year's winners were selected in 19 classes covering every size and class of car.