road test : Ford Scorpio TD estate
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.For all its outlandish looks up front, the rear half of Ford's Scorpio Estate is almost the same as the old model, give or take a few plastic mouldings. But the estate does share some of the mechanical refinements that have made today's Scorpio saloon so much more civilised than its predecessor, including more supple suspension and an engine sound more effectively banished from the cabin.
The engine itself is not great. Ask it to pull briskly from low speeds, and you are met with the equivalent of a yawn. But, once stoked up, it cruises in a relaxed, long-legged manner which compliments the safe if slow-witted handling. But, unless fuel economy overrides considerations of pace and serenity, you would enjoy life more with the identically-priced 2.9-litre, 12-valve V6 Scorpio.
Imitation-wood dashboard excepted, the Scorpio has a welcoming interior with squidgily comfortable seats and impressive legroom. The class of a Mercedes, BMW or Audi estate is lacking, but then it costs a good deal less. The cheapest of the three versions, tellingly named Executive, costs pounds 19.145, and even the ultimate Ultima undercuts most German-badged rivals at pounds 21,760.
John Simister
One previous owner
Charles Hart, Operations Director Northgate Holdings. "I drive about 55,000 miles a year and am on my fourth, new-generation Scorpio Estate - an Ultima, which is top of the range and much underplayed by Ford: performance in this model is fairly electric. I like the looks - futuristic and bold - although people do tend to stare at you at traffic lights."
Specifications
Ford Scorpio Ghia TD Estate, pounds 20,350
Engine: 2,500cc, four cylinders, turbodiesel, 115hp at 4,200rpm. Five- speed gearbox, rear-wheel drive. Top speed: 116 mph; 0-60 in 11.4 seconds. Fuel consumption 28-33mpg.
Rivals
Audi A6 2.5 TDI Estate, pounds 23,173
BMW 525 tds Touring, pounds 24,990
Citroen XM 2.1 TD SX Estate, pounds 19.055
Vauxhall Omega 2.5 TD GLS Estate, pounds 21,400
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments