Mondeo
An oldie but a goodie, it’s
the lack of a digital speedo
that grates most in Mondeo.
But as the least expensive
ar here, it scores well in
terms of equipment. Three-
setting driver’s memory
seat, rear seatbelt airbags,
wheel paddles and the best-
sounding stereo, combine
with lush seats and driving
position, a fine ride and
competitive refinement.
Calais
Fresher interior design than
Mondeo, with an airier view
and a more intimate seating
feel. Driving position primed
or keen drivers, however
lack of wheel paddles or
gearbox sport mode can
frustrate. No adaptive cruise
either. Ergonomically, it’s
pretty much spot-on, but the
lack of colour, warmth and
plastics tactility hurt it.
Sonata
No amount of equipment
or glossy finishes can save
Sonata’s interior from its
profound conservatism. Its
dated design is compounded
y a whiff of rental-car
ambience, yet overall quality
is solid (especially the centre
console’s slick ‘roller-door’
cover) and dials are pretty.
Rear seat blows its space
advantage by being too flat.
Stinger
Far more welcoming
inside than Sonata, with
deeper seating, much
classier design and a more
expensive feel. Base 200S’s
‘leatherette’ is disappointing
why not a funky cloth?) and
t gets a one-inch-smaller
touchscreen than the mid-
spec 200Si (pictured) but
for a low-slung rear-driver,
there’s surprising utility.
Camry
From its ‘holographic’ faux
wood to the smooth sweep
of its centre stack, the new
Camry reeks of expense.
Quiet, cohesive, beautifully
finished and easy to live
ith, though no smartphone
mirroring. Thankfully,
nannying “please obey all
traffic regulations” voice-
over when you breach the
speed limit can be silenced.