This is the second time we've reviewed a Mondeo fitted with an engine from the turbo petrol EcoBoost family, whose aim is to give robust performance along with high fuel economy and low CO2 emissions.The difference is that this time we're considering a 1.6-litre version, rather than a two-litre as before. As you might expect, there's less power, though the maximum output of 158bhp is good going for an engine of this size.A Focus with the same unit feels strong, but the Mondeo is insipid by comparison. It's quite a thought that, over the years, different versions of the Mondeo have become so large and heavy that they can now feel slow even when they're producing 158bhp.More positively, I put a lot of motorway miles on the car reviewed here and managed an average of around 40mpg, which is about the same as I had recently achieved with a 1.6 EcoBoost Focus on a similar journey. No, I don't know how that happened either.40mpg isn't so very far from the official fuel economy figure of 44.1mpg. The success of EcoBoost can be judged partly by the fact that this is significantly better than the 41.5mpg achieved by the very much less powerful 118bhp non-turbo 1.6 petrol engine (available only in lesser-specification Mondeos and not the Titanium X tested here).On the other hand, the 138bhp two-litre diesel has a combined EU test figure of 53.3mpg, and its lower CO2 emissions mean that it's in VED Band E rather than Band F, which saves you £15 a year in tax. It also has very similar performance despite its 20bhp shortfall. None of this necessarily overcomes the fact that it costs £1300 more than the 1.6 EcoBoost model, but it seems likely that you would get that back at resale time in any case.It should go without saying by now that the Mondeo is a very roomy, very practical car. Not all Mondeos are equal, though; since the current shape was launched in 2007 I've experienced some that weren't at all bad to drive, none that were outstandingly good and several which were frankly cumbersome. The EcoBoost Titanium X, alas, falls into the last category.And, as always, there's the visibility issue. The obtrusive rear pillars and darkened rear glass almost persuaded me to abandon reversing into a supermarket car park space one evening, even though the parking sensors tried to reassure me that I wasn't in immediate danger of hitting anything or anyone. Engine 1596cc, 4 cylinders Power 158bhp Transmission 6-speed manual Fuel/CO2 44.1mpg / 149g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds Top speed 134mph Price £23,195 Details correct at publication date
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