A guide to the Ford Mondeo

Ever since its launch some 20 years ago, the Ford Mondeo has long been a popular option among British drivers. With the vehicle not only providing plenty of performance but also a comfortable ride, it is perhaps of little surprise that it has been much coveted among all kinds of motorists and won a string of awards.

Replacing the company's Sierra line, the first Mondeo went on sale in 1993 and soon became a hit with UK customers, partially due to the versatility it offers. Initially released in four-door saloon, five-door hatchback and five-door estate variants, the Mondeo was intended to be a 'world car' - meaning that virtually identical models would be sold all over the globe, including the US, Europe and Asia - with its name derived from the Latin word mundus, which means 'world' in English.

Although it did not quite go on to achieve this, the Mondeo went on to enjoy a great deal of success not just in Britain, but also across the rest of Europe. Indeed, a 2012 Warranty Direct study revealed the Mondeo covers the greatest amount of distance of any car on UK roads, travelling an average of 15,101 miles each year, significantly more than its nearest rival, the Volvo S80, which typically covers 14,570 miles.

If you're considering visiting a Ford car auction you're almost certain to see at least one Mondeo go under the hammer, such is the model's popularity among Britons, but just what makes it so sought after?

Although people always have their own individual reasons for wanting to buy a Mondeo - the company has long been at the forefront of the global motoring industry - perhaps one of the factors that have cemented its popularity is the manufacturer's dedication to driver safety. Upon its launch, the Mondeo was the first car to have an airbag as standard across all its variants, while later models would come with high-tech features such as a collapsible steering column and retracting pedals to reduce injury in case of a collision. Some even come with a visual alert that signals when a driver attempts to change lanes without indicating.

The car is also regarded as offering a comfortable, high-performance ride, something that's not just made it popular with company executives and families alike, but has also seen it win a string of awards over the years.

Car Buyer commended the latest five-door hatchback variant of the Mondeo as being a practical choice for families. Awarding the accolade of Best Large Family Car 2012, the vehicle was particularly praised for its comfortable seats and low noise levels.

In the 2012 What Car? awards, the Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140PS Zetec was named the UK's best estate - the second successive year it has taken the accolade - and accounted for two-fifths of sales for such vehicles. With the standard specification coming with cruise control, heated door mirrors and leather-trimmed steering wheel, it is pretty clear to see why this model has long been a great choice for those wanting a luxurious drive.

Honest John, meanwhile, claimed that despite the latest Mondeo coming out several years ago, it remains "a very popular car". Noting that its site has a greater number of visitors who are interested in Mondeos than more recently released family-friendly motors, the model was given the 2012 Most Popular Large Family Car award.