You won’t need telling just how painful it can be to visit a garage.

Filling up needs careful financial planning. Just when you think that petrol and diesel has reached a peak, it suddenly ratchets up a little more.

Mondeo, which has been quietly transformed by Ford into an alternative for an Audi or BMW, now comes in a frugal format, too. Even executives have to count the pennies, it seems.

This is Mondeo Titanium X, at £23,100 the highest-trimmed model in the family, but it comes with Ford's Ecoboost system, a collection of innovations designed to make the car as green as possible.

So, while it looks like a plush executive saloon, it contains an efficient 1.6 litre petrol engine which returns more than 40mpg on a run and emits 149g/km, astonishing for a car of this size.

Of course, there are limitations. While a model with the Titanium X badge on it might be expected to be swift and powerful, this manages a restrained 0 to 60mph in 9.3 seconds, but it cruises effortlessly.

Such is the ride and handling, not to mention the stylish cabin, this is a model which stands comparison with cars costing thousands more. Ford have worked very hard to improve the Mondeo. It used to be a run-of-the-mill rep-mobile but not anymore. It's bigger, better-looking and much, much better equipped.

There are one or two problems, however. Firstly, the Mondeo had become rather expensive as a result of a drop in the value of Sterling. Secondly, those drivers who have been enjoying the powerful performance and premium feel that a German marque affords have become accustomed to the trappings. The responses have come two-fold. Ford has restructured its price plans across the existing line-up of models, offering far greater value across its range – including the Mondeo. And now the Mondeo has been revised with the aim of offering more power, more refinement and a more premium feel.

Read any review of the previous generation Ford Mondeo and you'll be told it was a vehicle that offered a class-leading package. Handsome good looks, a spacious interior, a contemporary cockpit and the crisp handling that’s become expected of Ford models were all present.

It’s probably for the best, then, that Ford has concentrated its efforts resulting in a revised model that is at once comfortingly familiar and intriguingly different. This is a five-door model but it feels and drives rather like a saloon. It’s worth noting that the traditional four-door saloon model is no more in the UK. Its sales were so inconsequential that Ford has opted only to offer the sleeker five-door and accommodating estate.

From the outside, the changes are subtle but apparent on closer inspection. The shared front ends are more in keeping with the hugely popular Focus and S-Max models. The upper portion of the grille is sleeker, while the lower, trapezoidal portion has been made larger. Interestingly, behind the grille sits an adjustable flap system that deflects wind flow when it’s not required for cooling, aiding aerodynamics.

LED running lamps are integrated into the fog-lamp units and, along the sides, more chrome around the windows of the upper trim level models highlights the sleek window line and gives a greater impression of quality.

The same affect is achieved inside, with revisions to details such as the door-panel design giving a more upmarket and design conscious feel. The centre console boasts a simple and attractive layout while the instrument binnacle is very impressive, with a clear colour display conveying information in an effortlessly absorbed manner.

The menu-based interface takes practice to master but is a success and even the models equipped with the new lane departure warning and speed limiter options use a minimum of buttons. Also worthy of note are comfortable and supportive seats, the kind high-mileage drivers will really appreciate.

Material quality is good, with soft touch plastics to the upper portion of the dash.

The changes go beyond cosmetics. Two new engine options include a 197bhp version of the 2.2-litre ‘DuraTorq’ diesel and a 237bhp, 2.0-litre ‘EcoBoost’ petrol. The latter is available with Ford’s six-speed, twin-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission.

The 1.6 litre model is a decent engine, though which makes the most of the Mondeo’s cosseting ride and responsive chassis, with seamless drive and an impressive turn of speed. Importantly, it’s as smooth in town at low speed as when cruising. As with the previous model, interior space is one of the Mondeo’s trump cards. For the driver, the impression of size remains present on the road – making it a tight vehicle to position against an oncoming tractor – but it’s a small price to pay. Mondeo man can continue to feel on top of his game for a few more years yet.

l I felt rather silly when I inadvertently locked the keys of the Mondeo in the boot. I popped them down on the boot floor (Goodness knows why) and closed the lid which, for security reasons, locked itself. Great.

Red-faced, I rang the AA. Don’t worry, they said, it happens all the time. They had the boot popped open in a jiffy and I was back on the road again.

I won’t tell you how they did it. Truth is, I’m not exactly sure because the patrolman did it so quickly. A few days later I was at a gathering with other motoring journalists and it seems locking your keys in the boot is par for the course these days. Cars might be more sophisticated, but it seems they’re not fool-proof.