A great looker; well-equipped; excellent value; nice to drive
Interior short of small items storage
Mondeo is a world car for Ford – created in and sold just about everywhere.
The latest models are bigger, better and its sleek good looks are a far cry from its dowdy predecessors of the early nineties.
What You Get
Car Showroom tested the Mondeo TDCI hatchback. Dimensionally it’s surprisingly large – almost Falcon size – and that European style and quality is evident everywhere.
Inside and out, this is a thoroughly modern design that combines great looks, practicality (the boot is huge) plus European standard performance and sharp road manners.
Mondeo is also available in sedan models and whether you’re shopping for a large or medium car, this is a ‘must include’ on your list. Even for families who would normally buy large sedans, the space and practicality of the Mondeo will surprise (even though it’s officially a ‘medium’).
Under the Hood
Mondeo is available with a range of four cylinder and five cylinder petrol and diesel engines but the car we tested for a week was the 2.0-litre four cylinder TDCi turbo-diesel delivering 96kW of power and 320Nm of torque.
Drive is to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic (only the sporty XR5 model comes with a six-speed manual).
With this latest generation European diesel, not surprisingly, performance is sharp with plenty of acceleration across the range and relaxed freeway cruising.
Ford says the combined cycle fuel economy is 7.3l/100kms.
The Interior
Mondeo has been praised for its superb, contemporary exterior styling, but in our opinion, the same compliments apply to the interior.
The vehicle we tested was fitted with the optional leather trim – there is also a very nice, thick-grip leather-wrapped steering wheel with plenty of buttons for audio and trip computer operations.
Mondeo’s front seats are large for a mid-sizer and we liked the electronic height adjustment for the drivers’ seat which combines with the steering wheels rake/reach adjustment to deliver an excellent driving position for all body types.
On the center console are controls for the audio system (Sony 6-disc in-dash CD player with optional Bluetooth and voice control system) plus Ford’s Human Machine Interface (HMI). It’s all very well laid-out.
Two rear seat passengers will enjoy nicely sculptured, supportive seats but a third adult could find the going a tad squeezy on a long journey. The Car Showroom juniors were comfortable in their child seats with the low waistline of the Mondeo delivering a good view.
The boot is huge (even for families) and the large, wide-opening hatch allows easy loading.
Exterior & Styling
We think the Mondeo’s exterior styling is a standout. From the sharp front end with modern headlights and grille, through the side accent curves, nicely sculptured glass and the superbly crafted rear end, Ford’s European designers have excelled.
The TDCi hatch we tested was fitted with the stylish five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and German-made Goodyear tyres.
On The Road
Our time in the Mondeo coincided with a wintry cold-snap in Melbourne so we certainly appreciated the excellent automatic climate control air-conditioning, the heated seats and the smooth, subtle operation of the traction control system which limited wheelspin on the damp early morning roads (some rival systems are too abrupt in their operation).
ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Control with Emergency Brake Assist are standard, there are seven airbags (including side curtain and driver knee) and lots more safety features.
The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is well-matched to the six-speed automatic and those grippy Goodyear tyres, Ford’s excellent Control Blade independent rear suspension and the nicely-weighted power steering all combine to deliver the on-road dynamics appreciated by keen drivers.
In a nutshell, Mondeo is a European vehicle with the performance, ride and handling you associate with other good European cars.
Challenges
Ford’s Human Machine Interface (HMI) is good but you need to read the owners’ manual and take the time to learn the operation of the multitude of buttons to get the most out of it (again a trait of quality modern European cars).
And some of our team felt the interior was a little short on storage for minor items.
Verdict
Our week in the TDCi hatch confirmed why the Mondeo sells so strongly throughout the world – this is one of Ford’s best.
The Competition
Entry to the Mondeo family is the LX sedan priced at $30,990* and the TDCi hatch we tested carries a sticker of $38,990.
Holden’s all-new Cruze looks the part with a nicely styled exterior and a brilliant interior. Petrol or diesel powerplants are on offer so it’s definitely worth a look.
The Mazda 6 is a rival with models starting from $28,490*, however the Diesel Sports hatch version will set you back $43,890*
Volkswagen’s Passat is a similar mid-size European sedan but entry to the Passat family is north of $40K.
Likewise the Renault Laguna – a handy European product which has now been reduced in price.
