Family Car of the Year: Ford Mondeo

'Why would you choose a BMW 3-series over a new Ford Mondeo? After driving the Blue Oval's latest mid-sized exec I'd be hard-pressed to give you a single valid reason. Because this new Ford is a properly world-class car, matching the Beemer in most areas and beating it in some important ways, too. I just want it to cut into the Big Three German brands and steal some of their biased drivers. It really does deserve to.'

Bill Thomas