Verdict: Spacious estate, that looks stylish and in ecoFLEX form is cheap to run
What’s hot?
- Strong performance from 138 bhp engine with 258 lb ft of torque
- Low CO2 for a car this size, at 104 g/km for band B road tax
- 70-plus mpg on the combined figure for this most frugal model in the range
- Reasonable for company car taxation with a 16 per cent BIK rating [Martyn – change – it’s highly efficient on cct for a car this size!)
- Smooth, elegant styling that is smart enough for business transport
- Pretty reasonable refinement, quiet on a long motorway haul
- Wrap-around tailgate opens to a wide aperture for easy loading
- Large satnav and multimedia touchscreen at top of dash well positioned for ease of use
- Multi-function steering wheel groups useful controls where you need them
- Slick-action six-speed manual gearbox with well-spaced ratios
- Strong on safety with five star Euro NCAP rating
- Four-wheel-drive Country Tourer models also available
- Choice of trim levels: SRi, SE, (good for business) Tech Line and Elite
- Six-speed auto transmission also available
What’s not?
- Not quite as perkily satisfying to drive as a Mondeo or Mazda6
- Real-world economy doesn’t match the promised 70-plus mpg of the combined figure – but then few cars do; expect 50s average with over 60 on long journies
- Stop-start sometimes a tad slow on restart
- Steering could do with just a little more communicative feedback
- Engine is Euro 5 not Euro 6
