As a general rule, driving a 2-litre petrol car is not something that's encouraged here, what with high taxes, steeper insurance, and then the whole ethos of big engines being equated with power and speed and therefore being 'a bad thing'.

Truth is, having adequate power in one's car is actually a real safety issue, and it would be interesting if somebody analysed accident rates on engine size. It is possible, maybe even probable, that smaller-engined cars are involved at a greater rate in accidents than are their larger-engined brothers.

I was moved to consider such things in a recent drive with the 2-litre version of the Ford Mondeo, which has around 145bhp on tap, accelerates strongly, and yet actually encourages easygoing driving.

If there's enough underlying power, most drivers don't feel they have to rev hard through the gears in order to make decent progress. That translates into less aggressive attitude and behaviour, and ultimately less potential to get into a dangerous situation.

The current 2-litre petrol Mondeo Ghia is some €11,000 more than the very basic car, though you can have it in LX spec AND with an autobox for about €6,000 more. That's probably what I'd recommend, given my long-standing liking for autos. But it was the Ghia I was driving recently, so it had extra mods, including climate control, leather, xenon lights and cruise control, though, blessedly, manual fore-and-aft adjustment of the seats.

If readers aren't familiar with the Mondeo as it stands, then they must have been driving on another planet for the last four years or so. Though there have been some detail changes for the MY 04 (don't be fooled by the 03 in the pictures, it was registered ahead of being generally available, for demonstrator use) - including significantly better interior materials quality, a taste of extra snazz around the front and some equivalent chrome trim at the back.

Otherwise it is the solid, decent, very safe Mondeo that so many people like so much, not particularly distinctive in, say, the way competitor Avensis is, but good Ford values that help its cars last in the market.

There is also that essential feel of strength, the sense of being very coherently built and without any tinniness. All that translates into a car that moves in a thoroughbred way. Which, remember, is why Ford had no problem using the same platform for its X-Type Jaguar.

It also pushes home the safety message of its IPS - Intelligent Protection System - with a sticker across the bottom of the rear window, aimed not just at those following but also the driver, who can't miss it every time he or she looks into the rear view mirror.

IPS stands for a lot of the safety bits and bobs that we get in most cars these days, though Ford says that in the Mondeo they all operate more effectively. That's as may be, though I suspect that milliseconds in the difference don't matter much between the competitors.

In terms of pilot space, it is easy enough for medium to big people to get a good driving position. I've heard complaints from shorter drivers, who find their knees a bit close to the steering column when they've racked up the seat height to taste.

But for the likes of me, it is a car to my size. The steering wheel is pleasantly compact, yet doesn't interfere with reading the main instruments. There's decent space between the pedals, including enough to get the left foot down to the rest ... which latter, though, is far too low down. Pedal action in all three controls is nicely balanced, and the 2-litre certainly has a lighter loading than that other favourite, the TDCi.

As somehow befits the car also, the gearshift requires definite action, but is absolutely precise in use.

Overall, the driving characteristics of this 2-litre are foremostly flexible. Though willing and able to rev through its full range, the same motor allowed in-traffic ambling right down to the 1,000rpm mark in the top two gears. An ability that is also useful when meandering through the lesser byways.

That said, there's also the ability to push along where circumstance and situation permit. A strong application of right foot gives smooth lift, and if you let it right on up the engine rewards with an understated and pleasing rasp.

It proved a surefooted car on any kind of surface I set it, and a measure of the very professional feel is that no passenger ever exhibited signs of discomfort, even when I overcooked through an unfamiliar wind-up bend.

There are some small glitches still. Rear visibility isn't brilliant, but there was on the review car those great back-up sensors that beep you into position. Should be made mandatory by the insurance companies, because they're a lot cheaper to install than it is to replace bumpers.

Oh yes, one of the original bugbears of Mondeos has also been dealt with: the small door mirrors have been dumped in favour of decent ones.

Mondeo is now at its mature stage, and this is when carmakers have usually sorted out any problems, and are also loading some extras on as standard.

It is a good time to buy it.

As driven, at some €35,000 before driveoff charges, it is not a cheap car. If you can do without the top end trimmings, remember what I said about the LX with the same engine.

And you get an autobox too.