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Introduction
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We had to wait a long time for this Ford Mondeo. First shown in late 2012 we expected it be launched soon after but it was delayed until later the following year due to the global recession. When Ford closed its factory in Belgium, the Mondeo was once again put back as production was moved to Spain. But finally in 2015 it goes on sale here.
So has it been worth the wait? Well Ford says the two year delay has allowed it to focus on getting the Mondeo perfected for Europe - it's already sold in the US as the Fusion - and the results are certainly impressive. Most notably the quality. Inside the Mondeo has an upmarket feel we've not seen before and it's a cut above the usual family car rivals.
Like the previous Mondeo, this is a big car. In fact it's only slightly shorter than a Jaguar XF but has the same wheelbase as before. Ford has worked wonders with the styling, adding a dash of coupe-like flair to the profile that makes it appear a lot less bulky than the model it replaces.
Yet it still has huge amount of space inside with a massive boot and rear leg room that could rival the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. From behind the wheel it's incredibly refined with superb sound insulation and barely any wind or road noise at speed.
Consequently it's an ideal motorway cruiser helped by economical engines. These include a 1.6 TDCi diesel that emits just 94g/km and will average more than 78mpg according to the official figures.
Intriguingly alongside this will be a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol. Despite its tiny size, the 125PS unit should give decent performance although it's more likely that the 1.5-litre EcoBoost will prove more popular along with Ford's trusty 2.0 TDCi. For the first time there is also a Mondeo Hybrid although it's only available as a saloon.
Running throughout the latest Mondeo is a feeling of quality previously unseen on any Ford model. This Mondeo could mark a big change in how people perceive the Ford brand and as a family car it's a superb all rounder. The steering isn't quite as sharp as its predecessor but the Mondeo still handles incredibly well given its size. Overall it's head and shoulders above the competition.
What's good
Hugely spacious with a large boot and impressive rear passenger space.
Interior quality feels a cut above the competition.
Very refined with little noise on the move and excellent sound insulation.
Rides very well but not at the expense of handling.
What to watch out for
Hybrid suffers from usual problem of a CVT gearbox and only comes as a saloon.
Diesel engine is somewhat noisy from the outside.
Steering isn't as sharp as the previous Mondeo.
Driving
This Mondeo has a stronger body structure than before yet is actually lighter thanks to features such as the magnesium tailgate. This helps the impressive ride quality which is further enhanced by a new multi-link rear suspension set-up. The result is a superbly absorbing and forgivingly smooth ride that deals impeccably with poor road surfaces.
Another new feature for this Mondeo is specially tuned electric power steering system designed to give a smooth and fluid feel. It's not as sharp as the set-up in the previous Mondeo and as a result it doesn't feel as responsive. Yet the Mondeo still handles very well. There's little in the way of body roll and plenty of reassurance in corners, especially at higher speeds. It also deals incredibly well with sharp changes of direction.
The engine range includes the usual TDCi diesels and EcoBoost petrols from Ford. The most interesting is the 1.0 EcoBoost which arrives in April 2015. It may seem far too small for the Mondeo but with 125PS it delivers performance equivalent to the 1.6 TDCi while claimed economy is 55.4mpg.
Also arriving in April 2015 is a new 1.5 TDCi diesel with 120PS that will be available alongside the 1.6 TDCi engine before eventually replacing it. These are the most economical models in the Mondeo line-up and make ideal company car choices. Both emit just 94g/km of CO2 and average 78.5mpg according to the official figures.
But it's the trusty 2.0 TDCi that will prove most popular and it's easy to see why. With a blend of performance and economy it suits the Mondeo perfectly. The standard model has 150PS but it's the 350Nm of torque which makes it so strong. It's ideal for easy overtaking while at 70mph it's barely having to work. It's very quiet from inside the cabin with no vibration through the pedals or gear lever.
There's a more powerful 180PS version of the 2.0 TDCi that has 400Nm of torque giving it a 0-62mph time of just 8.3 seconds. Like the standard model it comes with a positive and easy-shifting six-speed manual gearbox which is lovely to use, plus there's a PowerShift automatic available.
In April 2015 a four-wheel drive version of the 2.0 TDCi will be introduced and for our money this could be the ultimate Mondeo, especially if you fit winter tyres when the colder weather arrives. It's one car that can rival the Skoda Superb 4x4.
Alongside this, Ford will also have a 2.0 TDCi with 210PS and a PowerShift gearbox as standard. As performance goes this could be a very rapid Mondeo alongside the 2.0 EcoBoost version. With 240PS, the latter is the most powerful model in the range and has a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. However, economy isn't great and in everyday driving we think the 2.0 TDCi will be just as quick,
The other petrol is a 1.5 EcoBoost that is incredibly smooth yet still responsive. With 160PS it has plenty of power but thanks to the fact it's turbocharged it has 240Nm of torque from just 1500rpm. This means it pulls strongly from low down, but without the gruff nature of a diesel. Economy is good at 48.7mpg.
For the first time Ford is also offering a hybrid version of the Mondeo. It's only available as a saloon and is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine alongside an electric motor which gives a total power output of 187PS. With fuel economy of 67.3mpg and CO2 of 99g/km it's certainly efficient, but then so is the Mondeo 1.6 TDCi. The Mondeo Hybrid also suffers from the usual problems of hybrid cars fitted with a CVT, meaning noisy acceleration and an unrewarding drive.
Engines
Engine - Average MPG - 0-62 -Top speed -CO2
1.5 EcoBoost 160 - 49 mpg - 9.2 s - 138 mph - 134 g/km
1.5 EcoBoost 160 Automatic - 45 mpg - 9.1 s 133 mph - 146 g/km
1.6 TDCi ECOnetic - 79 mpg -12.1 s - 119 mph - 94 g/km
2.0 EcoBoost - 39 mpg - 7.9 s - 149 mph - 169 g/km
2.0 TDCi 150 - 64 mpg - 9.3 s - 134 mph -115 g/km
2.0 TDCi 150 ECOnetic - 69 mpg - 9.4 s - 134 mph -107 g/km
2.0 TDCi 150 PowerShift - 59 mpg - 9.9 s -132 mph - 125 g/km
2.0 TDCi 180 - 64 mpg - 8.3 s - 140 mph - 115 g/km
2.0 TDCi 180 Powershift - 59 mpg - 8.6 s - 139 mph - 125 g/km
Interior
Ford has worked hard to improve the refinement of the Mondeo and that's immediately obvious when you get behind the wheel. There's barely any engine noise in the cabin, despite the TDCi diesels being quite vocal, thanks to good sound insulation and extra seals between the bonnet and front wings.
Equally, once you're travelling at speed there's a satisfying lack of wind and road noise, helped by thicker rear window glass and specially designed door mirror casings. Even those used to driving premium badged cars will be impressed.
There's a quality present throughout the Mondeo interior that's above anything Ford has produced before. All the materials have a quality feel to them with soft-touch plastics and padding on the dash and door tops. Ford has kept to a simple design with few buttons and an uncluttered look. There are new instrument dials which remain analogue but have a digital display on the inside (inlcuding the needles that indicate speed and revs) giving it a modern edge.
It gets all the basics spot on with a great driving position, plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering column plus a nice weight to the gearshift and clutch pedal. There's a new multifunction steering wheel which is now easier to operate. The addition of an electric parking brake as standard means more room is freed up on the centre console which has two cupholders and a useful cubby integrated into it with an armrest on top.
Storage is excellent with a two-level glovebox, large door pockets and extra stowage behind the swooping central stack. We're not so keen on the Sony stereo design, it looks a little dated already, but the system works well and the large touchscreen in the middle of the dash is easy to use and looks good with a high resolution display.
Along with the quality, what really stands out in the Mondeo is the sheer space. Up front there's acres of room and you can put your seat so far back even six-footers will be able to stretch their legs out. Yet this doesn't come at the expense of rear passenger space. It remains incredibly generous, even with the front seats adjusted all the way back. Only the Skoda Superp can match the Mondeo for rear room.
The boot is equally as impressive. There's 550 litres of luggage room and the tailgate lifts up to reveal a wide opening with a low load lip. Even with a full size spare fitted as oppose to a tyre repair kit, there is still 458 litres of load space.
Another new feature being debuted on the Mondeo are inflatable rear seat belts. This is essentially a small airbag integrated into the seatbelt strap, expanding in just 40 milliseconds in the event of an accident. It's designed to disperse the force of an impact across a body five times greater than a standard seatbelt.
Standard equipment:
Style models come with 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB, Thatcham category 1 alarm, dual zone climate control, cruise control, Ford Sync 2 with 8-inch colour touchscreen, electric front windows, Isofix in rear seats, hill start assist, LED rear lights and an electric parking brake.
Zetec adds bodycolour bumpers and side mouldings, chrome window surrounds, Quickclear heated front windscreen, electric rear windows, front fog lights, cruise control with speed limiter, height and lumbar adjust on passenger seat, rear seat hatch.
Titanium comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, engine start button, sports seats, DAB navigation system, automatic headights, rain sensing wipers, traffic sign recognition, lane keeping aid, auto dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting and TFT instrument cluster display.
Titanium X gets dynamic LED headlights, leather seats, 10-way power front seats, heated front seats, keyless entry and privacy glass.
LINK
US Ford Fusion finally arrives a little bit late in Europe, the frugal diesel that averages 78 MPG looks like a winner., the gasoline hybrid cost £4,000 more and averages just 67 MPG. Looks like Ford has two new winners on its books in Europe the new Mustang & Mondeo. 3 cylinder 1.0L Ecoboost just seems a little bit underpowered for such a large car to me.
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We had to wait a long time for this Ford Mondeo. First shown in late 2012 we expected it be launched soon after but it was delayed until later the following year due to the global recession. When Ford closed its factory in Belgium, the Mondeo was once again put back as production was moved to Spain. But finally in 2015 it goes on sale here.
So has it been worth the wait? Well Ford says the two year delay has allowed it to focus on getting the Mondeo perfected for Europe - it's already sold in the US as the Fusion - and the results are certainly impressive. Most notably the quality. Inside the Mondeo has an upmarket feel we've not seen before and it's a cut above the usual family car rivals.
Like the previous Mondeo, this is a big car. In fact it's only slightly shorter than a Jaguar XF but has the same wheelbase as before. Ford has worked wonders with the styling, adding a dash of coupe-like flair to the profile that makes it appear a lot less bulky than the model it replaces.
Yet it still has huge amount of space inside with a massive boot and rear leg room that could rival the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. From behind the wheel it's incredibly refined with superb sound insulation and barely any wind or road noise at speed.
Consequently it's an ideal motorway cruiser helped by economical engines. These include a 1.6 TDCi diesel that emits just 94g/km and will average more than 78mpg according to the official figures.
Intriguingly alongside this will be a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol. Despite its tiny size, the 125PS unit should give decent performance although it's more likely that the 1.5-litre EcoBoost will prove more popular along with Ford's trusty 2.0 TDCi. For the first time there is also a Mondeo Hybrid although it's only available as a saloon.
Running throughout the latest Mondeo is a feeling of quality previously unseen on any Ford model. This Mondeo could mark a big change in how people perceive the Ford brand and as a family car it's a superb all rounder. The steering isn't quite as sharp as its predecessor but the Mondeo still handles incredibly well given its size. Overall it's head and shoulders above the competition.
What's good
Hugely spacious with a large boot and impressive rear passenger space.
Interior quality feels a cut above the competition.
Very refined with little noise on the move and excellent sound insulation.
Rides very well but not at the expense of handling.
What to watch out for
Hybrid suffers from usual problem of a CVT gearbox and only comes as a saloon.
Diesel engine is somewhat noisy from the outside.
Steering isn't as sharp as the previous Mondeo.
Driving
This Mondeo has a stronger body structure than before yet is actually lighter thanks to features such as the magnesium tailgate. This helps the impressive ride quality which is further enhanced by a new multi-link rear suspension set-up. The result is a superbly absorbing and forgivingly smooth ride that deals impeccably with poor road surfaces.
Another new feature for this Mondeo is specially tuned electric power steering system designed to give a smooth and fluid feel. It's not as sharp as the set-up in the previous Mondeo and as a result it doesn't feel as responsive. Yet the Mondeo still handles very well. There's little in the way of body roll and plenty of reassurance in corners, especially at higher speeds. It also deals incredibly well with sharp changes of direction.
The engine range includes the usual TDCi diesels and EcoBoost petrols from Ford. The most interesting is the 1.0 EcoBoost which arrives in April 2015. It may seem far too small for the Mondeo but with 125PS it delivers performance equivalent to the 1.6 TDCi while claimed economy is 55.4mpg.
Also arriving in April 2015 is a new 1.5 TDCi diesel with 120PS that will be available alongside the 1.6 TDCi engine before eventually replacing it. These are the most economical models in the Mondeo line-up and make ideal company car choices. Both emit just 94g/km of CO2 and average 78.5mpg according to the official figures.
But it's the trusty 2.0 TDCi that will prove most popular and it's easy to see why. With a blend of performance and economy it suits the Mondeo perfectly. The standard model has 150PS but it's the 350Nm of torque which makes it so strong. It's ideal for easy overtaking while at 70mph it's barely having to work. It's very quiet from inside the cabin with no vibration through the pedals or gear lever.
There's a more powerful 180PS version of the 2.0 TDCi that has 400Nm of torque giving it a 0-62mph time of just 8.3 seconds. Like the standard model it comes with a positive and easy-shifting six-speed manual gearbox which is lovely to use, plus there's a PowerShift automatic available.
In April 2015 a four-wheel drive version of the 2.0 TDCi will be introduced and for our money this could be the ultimate Mondeo, especially if you fit winter tyres when the colder weather arrives. It's one car that can rival the Skoda Superb 4x4.
Alongside this, Ford will also have a 2.0 TDCi with 210PS and a PowerShift gearbox as standard. As performance goes this could be a very rapid Mondeo alongside the 2.0 EcoBoost version. With 240PS, the latter is the most powerful model in the range and has a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. However, economy isn't great and in everyday driving we think the 2.0 TDCi will be just as quick,
The other petrol is a 1.5 EcoBoost that is incredibly smooth yet still responsive. With 160PS it has plenty of power but thanks to the fact it's turbocharged it has 240Nm of torque from just 1500rpm. This means it pulls strongly from low down, but without the gruff nature of a diesel. Economy is good at 48.7mpg.
For the first time Ford is also offering a hybrid version of the Mondeo. It's only available as a saloon and is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine alongside an electric motor which gives a total power output of 187PS. With fuel economy of 67.3mpg and CO2 of 99g/km it's certainly efficient, but then so is the Mondeo 1.6 TDCi. The Mondeo Hybrid also suffers from the usual problems of hybrid cars fitted with a CVT, meaning noisy acceleration and an unrewarding drive.
Engines
Engine - Average MPG - 0-62 -Top speed -CO2
1.5 EcoBoost 160 - 49 mpg - 9.2 s - 138 mph - 134 g/km
1.5 EcoBoost 160 Automatic - 45 mpg - 9.1 s 133 mph - 146 g/km
1.6 TDCi ECOnetic - 79 mpg -12.1 s - 119 mph - 94 g/km
2.0 EcoBoost - 39 mpg - 7.9 s - 149 mph - 169 g/km
2.0 TDCi 150 - 64 mpg - 9.3 s - 134 mph -115 g/km
2.0 TDCi 150 ECOnetic - 69 mpg - 9.4 s - 134 mph -107 g/km
2.0 TDCi 150 PowerShift - 59 mpg - 9.9 s -132 mph - 125 g/km
2.0 TDCi 180 - 64 mpg - 8.3 s - 140 mph - 115 g/km
2.0 TDCi 180 Powershift - 59 mpg - 8.6 s - 139 mph - 125 g/km
Interior
Ford has worked hard to improve the refinement of the Mondeo and that's immediately obvious when you get behind the wheel. There's barely any engine noise in the cabin, despite the TDCi diesels being quite vocal, thanks to good sound insulation and extra seals between the bonnet and front wings.
Equally, once you're travelling at speed there's a satisfying lack of wind and road noise, helped by thicker rear window glass and specially designed door mirror casings. Even those used to driving premium badged cars will be impressed.
There's a quality present throughout the Mondeo interior that's above anything Ford has produced before. All the materials have a quality feel to them with soft-touch plastics and padding on the dash and door tops. Ford has kept to a simple design with few buttons and an uncluttered look. There are new instrument dials which remain analogue but have a digital display on the inside (inlcuding the needles that indicate speed and revs) giving it a modern edge.
It gets all the basics spot on with a great driving position, plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering column plus a nice weight to the gearshift and clutch pedal. There's a new multifunction steering wheel which is now easier to operate. The addition of an electric parking brake as standard means more room is freed up on the centre console which has two cupholders and a useful cubby integrated into it with an armrest on top.
Storage is excellent with a two-level glovebox, large door pockets and extra stowage behind the swooping central stack. We're not so keen on the Sony stereo design, it looks a little dated already, but the system works well and the large touchscreen in the middle of the dash is easy to use and looks good with a high resolution display.
Along with the quality, what really stands out in the Mondeo is the sheer space. Up front there's acres of room and you can put your seat so far back even six-footers will be able to stretch their legs out. Yet this doesn't come at the expense of rear passenger space. It remains incredibly generous, even with the front seats adjusted all the way back. Only the Skoda Superp can match the Mondeo for rear room.
The boot is equally as impressive. There's 550 litres of luggage room and the tailgate lifts up to reveal a wide opening with a low load lip. Even with a full size spare fitted as oppose to a tyre repair kit, there is still 458 litres of load space.
Another new feature being debuted on the Mondeo are inflatable rear seat belts. This is essentially a small airbag integrated into the seatbelt strap, expanding in just 40 milliseconds in the event of an accident. It's designed to disperse the force of an impact across a body five times greater than a standard seatbelt.
Standard equipment:
Style models come with 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB, Thatcham category 1 alarm, dual zone climate control, cruise control, Ford Sync 2 with 8-inch colour touchscreen, electric front windows, Isofix in rear seats, hill start assist, LED rear lights and an electric parking brake.
Zetec adds bodycolour bumpers and side mouldings, chrome window surrounds, Quickclear heated front windscreen, electric rear windows, front fog lights, cruise control with speed limiter, height and lumbar adjust on passenger seat, rear seat hatch.
Titanium comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, engine start button, sports seats, DAB navigation system, automatic headights, rain sensing wipers, traffic sign recognition, lane keeping aid, auto dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting and TFT instrument cluster display.
Titanium X gets dynamic LED headlights, leather seats, 10-way power front seats, heated front seats, keyless entry and privacy glass.
LINK
US Ford Fusion finally arrives a little bit late in Europe, the frugal diesel that averages 78 MPG looks like a winner., the gasoline hybrid cost £4,000 more and averages just 67 MPG. Looks like Ford has two new winners on its books in Europe the new Mustang & Mondeo. 3 cylinder 1.0L Ecoboost just seems a little bit underpowered for such a large car to me.
