The new Mondeo, more even than the Mustang, represents what the blue oval will be in three years. It is smart looking, loaded with smart gadgets and technology, and is virtually the same car (location of the steering wheel notwithstanding) anywhere in the world.

As the flagship passenger car of Ford's soon-to-be fully imported line-up, it represents the best Ford has to offer internationally. And, with the inevitable end of production at Ford's manufacturing facilities in Australia, it has very big shoes to fill.

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Eclipse Ford offered Country Cars a drive of arguably the most European (and least Falcon-like) Mondeo it has - a wagon with a turbo-diesel four.

Technically, the Mondeo Trend is the mid-point of a line-up which also includes the entry-level Ambiente and the top-of the-range Titanium. However you'd be hard-pressed to find too many top-of-the-range cars with more kit than the Trend. The list of high-end features includes: adaptive cruise control, push button start, partial leather heated front seats, rear-view camera, active city braking, and pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection. For the money, it is extraordinary.

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The view from the driver's seat (10-way power adjustable, by the way) is quite dazzling with all vital driving information in a colour screen within the instrument cluster, and everything else in a giant 8-inch colour touchscreen in the centre of the dash. Across the entire range, Mondeo has Ford's SYNC2 infotainment system, complete with voice activation (which really works), satellite navigation, Bluetooth audio streaming and connectivity and digital radio. Some of the materials and controls are a bit sombre - more utilitarian than prestigious - compared with, say the Mazda6, let alone some of the entry level prestige stuff.

Luggage capacity in the wagon defies its so-called medium car classification, pushing into the large category.

On the road the Mondeo is extremely competent - perhaps a little too much for some drivers. The ride is on the soft side and, while the handling is predictable and sure-footed, it lacks the sharp cornering and sporty feel of a Holden Commodore Sportswagon or a Falcon for that matter. It has more in common with a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord in that regard. 

I sampled the petrol version of this car - badged as "Fusion" - on a recent trip to the United States. The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (132kW peak power, 400Nm of torque) in our Mondeo Trend is effortless around town and on the highway, and has more than ample grunt. It's also efficient (5.1 L/100km combined cycle) and quite unobtrusive for a diesel. 

However the petrol version has only slightly less torque (345Nm) and is more willing when pressed and, despite a combined fuel economy number of 8.2-l/100km, would be my choice. Either way, the six-speed dual clutch auto efficiently extracts the most out of each engine.

Overall, the Mondeo is very impressive, and worthy of consideration against other excellent mid-sizers like the Mazda6, Camry, and Nissan Altima. 

But an automatic replacement for Commodore or Falcon? That remains to be seen.

Your local dealer is Eclipse Ford: 5336 1555

Ford Mondeo Trend TDCi Wagon

ENGINE: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel inline four

POWER: 132kW at 3500 revs

TORQUE: 400Nm at 2000-2500 revs

TRANSMISSION: six-speed dual clutch automatic

FUEL: diesel, 5.1-l/100km combined (ADR81/02)

BRAKES: front ventilated discs, rear solid discs with ABS, brake assist and stability control

FEATURES: active cruise control, voice-activated audio-climate-infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, rear view camera, heated partial leather front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels

ANCAP SAFETY RATING: five stars

PRICE (RRP): $42,340 plus on-road costs

PRICE AS TESTED: $42,790 plus on-road costs

OTHERS TO CONSIDER:

Holden Calais Sportswagon: from $42,790

Hyundai i40 Elite CRDi: from $41,590 

Mazda6 Touring Wagon (diesel): from $41,650

VW Passat 130TDi Wagon $46,990