The Drive Car of the Year awards have been announced for 2010, with the Ford Mondeo Zetec TDCi winning the Best Medium Car category.

A big field of newcomers greeted the judges this year, but an old stager took the prize.

Ford’s Mondeo Zetec TDCi hatch punched the hardest in a heated five-way streetfight to dust the competition and stride off with the Medium Car laurels for 2010.

It’s the third win for the Ford in this category, adding to its victories in 2007 and 2008, and sees the crown return to Blue Oval territory following a 12-month stint with Mazda’s 6.

The new 120kW 2.0-litre diesel drivetrain attracted plaudits all-round for its unburstable flexibility, quietness and very competitive economy. All but one thought the trick new double-clutch auto (a la VW’s DSG) a great match, with less low-speed hesitation than its  German equivalents. 

Even the doubters, too, had to concede that the Ford was very nearly as much fun as a 6 to drive while offering incrementally better ride comfort and vastly superior on-road refinement. Inside, its vast space, great comfort and massive boot were considered by most to be more than enough to balance the odd bit of scrappy presentation.