VW Passat Estate vs Ford Mondeo Estate & Mazda 6 Tourer - AutoExpress
The family estate car class has taken a bit of a beating in the past few years. Buyers have been turning away from these practical models in favour of crossovers, people carriers and SUVs, and the latest generation of large estates needs something special to stand out in the crowded new car market. It offers the same versatile load area as before, but VW has given the family five-door an upmarket makeover that attempts to add a bit of compact executive appeal. That accolade used to go to the Ford Mondeo, but the latest model, launched late last year, has sacrificed sporty handling for a more comfortable drive. • Volkswagen Passat Estate review. • Ford Mondeo Estate review. Boot space The Passat has the biggest boot here, but the Mondeo offers the largest floor area, at 113cm2. There’s less space under the load cover, though. The Ford has a flush load lip, yet the small lips on its rivals will stop items from falling out, and aren’t hard to lift items over. Towing All three models will make decent tow cars, with maximum towing weights ranging from 2,000kg for the Volkswagen to 1,600kg for the Mazda. VW and Ford offer retractable tow bars for £875 (below) and £750. Source: www.autoexpress.co.uk
