THE most important roll-out of Ford's EcoBoost engine technology to date has come with the updated Ford Mondeo.

The popular medium sized hatch and estate series has the 160ps, 1,596cc, four-cylinder petrol engine made in Britain at Ford's Bridgend site as a choice among the extensive range of petrol and diesel engines available.

Fitting the 1.6 EcoBoost in the Mondeo means emissions are cut to 149g/km and it attracts 21% BIK tax and also brings useful economy gains for business users in particular.

In the newest versions the Mondeo gets the latest integral link rear suspension for improved ride comfort and handling whether saloon or estate.

Inside there is a raft of safety and technical improvements intended to keep the 20 year-old Mondeo at the forefront of business choice and life in the UK.

The powertrain match of 1.6 EcoBoost and six-speed manual gearbox - automatics are available - is very good.

The engine is a willing and smooth performer, deceptively powerful for its size and the 1,500kg kerbweight of the five-door and it gives good acceleration so long as you are in the right gear.

It steers and brakes very well too and the new chassis set up is a big improvement over the previous generation Mondeo, imparting a surprisingly compliant ride while endowing it with stronger road holding and more responsive handling.

Even when going slowly the Mondeo is better and the new equipment available includes advanced parking system for ease of urban use and fewer accident repairs.

Inside the sophisticated entertainment system has a big screen and multi-unit Wi-Fi combined with media, navigation and climate control which works by voice commands if you specify the MyFord Touch option.

The interior is big, access is good, and the seats are large and supporting with plenty of room, particularly in the back. Boot space in the five door rises from a nominal 528 litres to almost 1,450 litres and there is an abundance of oddments room throughout.

Standard climate control offers steady output, a wide range of temperature and its quiet while its backed up by electric windows front and rear on the Titanium X version driven here.

Visibility is very good all round with a comparatively low waistline and you can see the corners when manoeuvring, the wipers are big and fast while the very bright headlights sweep the road ahead in a long and wide arc.

Noise levels are low from all sources and so long as you keep the engine revs within reasonable limits the mechanical noise is well contained.

I found it brisk from rest, good for overtaking in the correct gear, and it cruised quietly at the motorway limit. I never got anywhere near the claimed combined average fuel consumption but averaged 38mpg overall, which is still respectable for a petrol car of this size.

The power delivered by the 1.6 EcoBoost ensures it can cover the miles without being too taxing on the driver in more ways than one and it certainly combines very well with the new suspension under the car to produce a refined and sophisticated experience at a sensible price.