Coming from a top-spec Mk3 Mondeo to a vRS, I thought it might be (vaguely) interesting to note a few of the comparisons I've made so far, especially considering that the new price of the mondeo would have been about £5k more. You might, on the other hand, think this is a pointless rambling

I'm not talking performance/handling here, cos the two cars are worlds apart in this respect (and they're supposed to be), but when it comes to "family/practical" cars, the devil is in the detail:

General ergonomics - the light switch is exactly where my hand expects it to be, without looking. The air con controls are simple and easy to read at a glance. Push buttons everywhere on the mondeo, which are cumbersome when you're driving too.

The central arm-rest moves back and forth (and up on a ratchet) This was static in the mondeo, which is useless if you're under 6ft and have the seat further forward as the arm-rest ends up out of reach behind you.

Foot rests on both sides! Hardly rocket science, but the mondeo is supposed to be built for motorway cruising, and was missing a footrest on either side, making cruise control no more relaxing than normal driving.

The seats are more supportive, and despite leather sides, don't creak. The mondeo seats creaked against the central armrest every time you cornered - most annoying!

The cruise control is properly smooth. You cannot feel it being turned on or off. The mondeo created a noticeable 'jolt' on both actions, which made it more uncomfortable to use than not to.

The parcel shelf is hinged in the centre, making a much bigger, more practical loading aperture without removing it each time.

Blown bulb warning lights - usually the reserve of "prestige" brands, I think.. but so useful (and not even listed as a feature in the spec IIRC!)

The real-time trip computer (although who knows how accurate!?) is at least real-time. Ford's offering settled down after 15 mins and never changed, making it all but pointless.

The CD changer is hidden away in the boot. Looks better of course, but also stops it getting knocked constantly by items you're carrying, as it did, exposed in the mondeo's boot.

The parking ticket clip thing - simple, but a good idea. As SWMBO put it: "that solves a problem you didn't even know you had"

Door pockets that will hold bottles

Air vents for the rear passengers - great if you dont want it blowing a gale in the front as well.

The central locking is quiet, instead of the unhealthy sounding "clunk" the Ford makes.

2 proper remote keys. Only providing one on a £23k mondeo is unforgivable!

The dipped beam lights have a proper crisp beam pattern, and are actually very effective. Mondeo halogens are poor (even with uprated bulbs) and have a washed-out pattern.

The brakes are very good. Ford's brakes are a joke in a car as big and heavy as the mondeo.

And against the Skoda? :

- Erm.. the glove box is a bit small.

- The illumination dimming doesn't go dark enough (for my liking, on the motorway)

These are all the little things that you dont notice on a test drive, but I think add to the ownership experience in a big way - probably reflecting Skoda's consistently high owner satisfaction ratings. The above also sounds like a bit of a harsh assault on the mondeo - I maintain that it was a great car, and faultlessly reliable too. Also in its defence, it's now a 7 year old model (i suspect the new one is better), but still now I'm starting to see why skoda drivers look so smug!

When comparing against a 7 year old car, I think much of what you say shows more about how cars have advanced in their packaging more than how poor the Mondeo is.

I'm no fan of Ford especially, but they certainly aint no VW brand!

I'd be interested to drive a comparable spec new Mondeo. I think price will kill it for me more than any major advancement in quality or toys though - plus the Octy has excelent handling and that engine (in the VRS)!

Nice little review.

When comparing against a 7 year old car, I think much of what you say shows more about how cars have advanced in their packaging more than how poor the Mondeo is.

I'm no fan of Ford especially, but they certainly aint no VW brand!

I'd be interested to drive a comparable spec new Mondeo. I think price will kill it for me more than any major advancement in quality or toys though - plus the Octy has excelent handling and that engine (in the VRS)!

True - the new Mondeo is completely different however, most certainly moving up into BMW/Audi rivalry in terms of handling - I've been in one & I think it has most of what is mentioned above in Guiness's post, so very comparible today with the likes of VW group standard options/specs.

W.