Ford Ka

Chasing the Seicento to a close second place in the mini segment sales here, the Ka is still a little cutie, both inside and out. And it will have a (very few available) even cuter version with the arrival of the StreetKa roadster. And, believe it or not, there’s talk on that street of new engines to replace that old 1.3-litre from the 60s, including a diesel, and maybe that long speculated 1-litre version of the Yamaha-developed 1.25-litre. And I guess the diesel will be that 1.4 HDi from the new Fiesta, but we’re not likely to sell many of them here in that small segment. Eventually, a new Ka will spin off the new Fiesta platform. Stars: 7/10

Ford Fiesta

The seven-model line-up includes the 1.4 litre TDCi diesel engine. New Fiesta comes in three versions: Finesse, LX and Ghia, with a choice of new engines. The entry-level Finesse comes with a 1.3 litre 70PS petrol powertrain or the latest 1.4 litre 68PS TDCi common rail diesel. The specification includes Ford’s Intelligent Protection System with ‘smart’ dual stage driver and passenger airbags, power steering, leather-wrapped steering wheel, manual remote control door mirrors, tinted glass, locking fuel cap, height adjustable driver seat, body colour bumpers and luggage compartment light. Overall, it is a good looker and will do well. But something needs to be done about the noise levels in the petrol versions, which are higher than in much of the competition. Stars: 7/10

Ford Fusion

The Fiesta-based Fusion is aimed at young, affluent, urban couples, and is Ford’s answer to the small MPV of other brands, but the company says it also brings together the attributes of SUVs and hatchbacks to what it calls an Urban Activity Vehicle. Did the world really need yet another motoring acronym? The Fusion comes with three levels of specification and a brace of 1.4-litre engines, one of them the TDi which has been jointly developed with PSA Peugeot-Citroen, and a 1.6-litre petrol unit. Fusion features Ford’s Intelligent Protection System. Upper versions also have air conditioning, electric front windows, heated electric door mirrors, stereo radio CD, Quickclear heated windscreen and aluminium finish door release levers. The back of the passenger seat folds flat to provide a useful work surface. All models are 5-door. Stars: 7/10

Ford Focus

They still keep coming, and they still can’t quite beat Ireland’s best selling car which is the exemplar of just how to build a car for the hotly-competed ‘C’ segment. It has envied handling and driving dynamics, is stylistically individual in all three formats, and has even been taken to the Yank heart - a real feat for a European-designed car. The 1.6-litre saloon form is still our favourite version. You can opt for engines ranging from tidy 1.4s to thumping 2-litres in petrol form, to a brace of 1.8 diesels, including the TDCi that is possibly one of the best medium diesels ever produced. The ST170 is a treat, the RS wild. Stars: 9/10

Ford Mondeo

Ford’s big car, bridging both the high-end of the D-segment and where the old Granada/Scorpio used to roll. The sleepy little girl taking refuge in her dad’s garaged Mondeo during a thunderstorm reflects well the clear solidity of the vehicle and the level of safety and comfort technologies both visible and invisible. This is, quite simply, a fine car from Ford, with a range of engines to suit any needs. The TDCi diesel is an essential for the high-mileage driver, who certainly won’t have anything to complain about either in the car’s mile-eating abilities or as a place to work from. The ST220 is, to my mind, the best Ford ever built, and though it is in the price range of the prestige brands, it would be the choice for my driveway. Stars: 9/10

Ford Galaxy

Well, it DOES ‘drive like a car’, but the Galaxy is rather showing its age now (it was originally built on the old Mondeo platform), and the fact that it is no longer top dog in the large MPV sales league here somewhat reflects that. In a limited market segment in Ireland - Galaxy is, after all, quite a large vehicle - there’s a surprisingly wide range of engine and trim options available, one for everyone in the audience, so to speak, including a couple of niche ones reworked as mobile offices or multimedia mobile childminders. The 1.9-litre TD Ghia with its 6-speed transmission proves to be a particularly comfortable and trusty, and frugal to the point of 50-plus mpg on long trips. The interiors are absolutely childproof. Surprisingly nimble for its size, even in city traffic. Stars: 7/10

Ford Explorer

This is not the latest US version of the biggest-selling American SUV, but it has the luxury and the punch to go with the image, though you’ll need to be able to keep it sipping not inconsiderable volumes of fuel because of the 4-litre V6. Automatic only, as it should be. They sell a few a year here, to people who just like the American feel and who might otherwise choose a Jeep Grand Cherokee. High and handsome, and don’t worry about those rollover claims - Explorer is as safe as any SUV and more so than some, and simply needs to be driven within the limitations of all such machines. Buy it in white for best impact. Stars: 7/10