T HE ideal estate car is one that offers excellent utility but doesn't penalise you for it with poor refinement and soggy handling.

Ford were mindful of this when developing the latest Mondeo estate, a car which not only drives well but also looks a good deal sleeker than most boxy estate models.

There aren't too many estate cars that look remotely sexy but if you choose your specification wisely, the latest Mondeo estate does a better impression than most.

Decent alloys are key, as is the right metallic paint finish.

The latest Mondeo features a sharper interpretation of Ford's 'kinetic design' philosophy, and that translates into meaner looking headlights, a bigger lower air intake, a narrower grille, LED daytime running lights at the front and LED bulbs in the tail light cluster.

However, the biggest changes are inside, most tellingly in the quality of the materials used.

The centre console has been redesigned, with a more subtle, classy-looking finish. There are still a few hard plastics used for the stalks and lower dash but on the whole it feels a good deal more agreeable.

Move round to the back and the load bay is as cavernous as ever, offering over 1700 litres of space with the rear seats folded.

As you might expect in a car that's almost five metres long, the Mondeo estate doesn't want for legroom and headroom is generous.

The estate versions of the Mondeo command a premium of around £1,000 over their saloon counterparts, which means you'll need just over £18,000 for the 120bhp petrol-engined entry-level model.

It's probably wise to step up to a diesel if you're planning on loading the car heavily and for this you'll need at least £19,000.

There are plenty of engines available, starting with a 115bhp diesel and topping out with a 240bhp petrol, Ford really offering something for all.

The most powerful diesel and petrol engines are only offered with the most expensive trim levels though, which is a bit of a shame.

It's no use kidding ourselves the Ford Mondeo estate is a glamorous vehicle, but the latest model is sprinkled with enough clever design and high-tech equipment to make it anything but a run of the mill load-lugger.

What impresses most about the new Mondeo estate is the fact that it now looks great, drives without constantly reminding you that you bought an estate car and now offers a best in class range of engines.