Ford Mondeo

For:

• fresh styling
• stylish and spacious interior
• wide range of trims and engines
• enjoyable to drive

Against:

• prices have risen considerably
• rep-mobile image likely to hurt long-term residual values
• interior tacky in places

Overview

There has always been something a little daunting about purchasing a family car.

The need to provide space for you and your two-point-four children, to pile effortless miles up and down the motorway and to keep it going well beyond the mileometer has ticked over six figures, mean that the family car is bought with the head rather than the heart. After all, Mondeo-man is hardly a term of endearment.

However, things for Mr Mondeo are destined to change with the launch of Ford’s latest incarnation of their venerable family machine.

Having redefined the market with the Cortina, Sierra and Mondeo, Ford are out to the do the same with the fourth generation model, which aims to not only resist the challenge of the forthcoming Vauxhall Insignia, but also the onslaught from the BMW 3-Series and Audi’s A4.

That means style, quality and excitement feature higher on the agenda than ever before. But can the Mondeo really pull off all of this and still stand for reliability and dependability?

Design – 8/10

When the Ford Sierra was launched in 1982, it is easy to forget how much of a design pioneer it was, especially given that 2.7 million of them went on to be made. With its aerodynamic ‘jelly-mould’ shape, the Sierra showcased the direction of motoring design for the coming decades.

Ford are now hoping to be doing the same thing with the new Mondeo, which hits the streets with more than a hint of concept car in it.

Still, that’s no surprise seeing as the Mondeo has been based on the Losis concept car, a machine which has helped haul Ford close to the top of the fashion stakes once again.

It’s certainly a handsome machine. Compared to the safe design of its predecessor, the new Mondeo is certainly more rakish, with swooping roofline and rounded bumpers. But while the basics, such as the grille, headlights and tail-end, are quite ordinary, it is the attention to detail that really sets the Mondeo apart like never before.

From the egg-crate grille and the prominent fog lights to the kink in the window line and bold alloy wheels, the Mondeo has an air of class about it that only the Volkswagen Passat can otherwise match.

Looking good in hatchback, saloon or estate guise, the Mondeo’s only problem from the outset is going to be something it can’t control: time. After all, this car is destined to become as popular as each model before it, and since any design as intricate as the new Mondeo will always date eventually, seeing them on the road everyday doesn’t exactly help the ageing process.

Behind the Wheel – 8/10

Given that the Mondeo is setting its sights higher than ever, it is inside where Ford seems to have spent the majority of its time lifting it up to Audi standards.

While the A4 can comfortably hold onto its crown for the moment, the Mondeo is by no means a cheap feeling product – and arguably seems more expensive than it actually is. With its soft-touch materials and tight-shut lines, there is a genuine premium impression that only Volkswagen’s Passat can match.

With its chunky buttons and simple layout, the Mondeo is ergonomically sound as well, although it will take a while to find the right balance between comfort and being well positioned to take the Mondeo’s sheer size into account when manoevering.

As is the case with several other Fords in the range, the biggest complaint about the interior is the liberal use of the silver paint. Although quite modern a few years back, we wish Ford had used a little more restraint before bathing the centre console in it because it generally does the opposite of its intention of bringing class to the interior. Having said that, there is also a hideous wood effect trim available, so the silver dashboard is certainly the lesser of two evils.

On the Road – 9/10

The Mondeo has always been an enjoyable car to drive. A standout feature of the first generation model, the Mondeo simply got better with the MkII and MkIII models, and it was still capable of out-handling newer rivals as the years passed by.

Naturally, the new model is even better. Featuring a brand new suspension set-up, the Mondeo doesn’t necessarily move the game on from its predecessor in terms of driving enjoyment, but the vast improvement in ride quality and refinement means it strikes a far better balance than before.

With communicative steering, the Mondeo feels brisk around bends and has remarkable poise for a car of such size. Indeed, while there is little getting away from the increased dimensions when it comes to hard cornering, the Mondeo is still more enticing to drive than the Passat or the Citroen C5.

With its streamlined shape, the Mondeo cuts through the air on the motorway to ensure that the cabin is a quiet place to spend time, while the composed ride also soaks up bumps well. Higher-end models get adaptive dampers to further improve the balance between comfort and fun, although even the basic trim levels are pretty spot on.

As ever, the Mondeo boasts an extensive engine line-up to satisfy buyers wanting economy or rapid pace with their family car.

At the bottom of the range is the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol, which performs admirably when it isn’t hurried and delivers decent fuel returns as a result. The proven 2.0-litre is a fine choice too if you must have a petrol drinking machine, although we draw the line at the flagship 2.5-litre, which is an indulgence when it doesn’t have any significant advantage over its counterparts.

On the diesel side, the 1.8-litre TDCi is a frugal option, but lacks the urge of our preferred 2.0-litre TDCi engine. With 140bhp, this engine does a good job of finding the compromise between pace, economy and refinement, without breaking the bank. Indeed, while there is a larger and faster 2.2-litre TDCi on sale too, it isn’t worth the premium commanded over the 2.0-litre.

Running Costs – 8/10

Although it has never had to justify itself to the ‘green crusade’ before, the Mondeo is nonetheless growing a conscience with this generation as Ford launch the ECOnetic variant.

Similar to Volkswagen’s Bluemotion scheme, the ECOnetic Mondeo comes equipped with Ford’s 1.8-litre TDCi, but gets minor modifications to extract the most out of it. This means the mpg figure has risen to 54 (instead of 50) and it emits just 139g/km of CO2 (10g/km down on the regular TDCi).

However, while the ECOnetic is the most frugal Mondeo on sale today, the rest of the engines stack up well with its competition when it comes to economy and emissions. The entry-level 1.6 petrol is one of the few petrol-engined family cars that fall in tax Band E, while the smaller diesels are classified as Band C. Our choice, the 2.0-litre TDCi, is in Band D and does 47mpg.

The Mondeo’s only real stumbling block is its residual values, which are unlikely to be comparable to the class-leading Passat. Believe what you will about Ford’s claims to match the prestige of BMW and Audi, the Mondeo will still always be known as a ‘rep-mobile’. For many, this immediately conjures up images of high mileage and plenty of wear and tear.

While Ford insist that they are limiting fleet sales with this model, the Mondeo will forever be stuck with a stigma for as long as it serves as their family car.

Value for Money – 8/10

Unsurprisingly, all that extra metal and refinement has come at the expense of value for money, with the Mondeo rising in price across the range.

Indeed, Ford’s desire to push the Mondeo upmarket is somewhat reflected in the price tags of the more popular models, with much of the range hovering just under or even above the magic £20,000 marker.

Still, Ford hauls that back by offering entry-level variants at just £15,695, which is considerably less than most rivals. Then again, it isn’t as well equipped as larger models and comes with a relatively weedy 1.6-litre engine.

Move further up the range and our favourite model, the 2.0-litre TDCi Ghia 5dr, comes in at £20,795. Although seemingly pricey, it compares well with its closest rivals and is very well equipped too.

Still, with three bodystyles, six engines and six trim levels, as well as prices ranging from £15,695 and £27,040, there really is a Mondeo for everyone.

Practicality – 9/10

There are many things the Mondeo has always been: good to drive, dependable and frugal. However, it was never the most practical in its class. But that has all changed with the new model, which reveals spaciousness to be its ace in the hole.

Indeed, those extra inches all round have been worth it as the Mondeo now boasts executive levels of leg and headroom, as well as a 528 litre boot in hatchback guise.

The estate is even larger, although it would have been nice to see Ford capitalise on the additional area by introducing some of the innovative touches shown by its closest rivals. Still, what the estate loses in cleverness, it certainly makes up for in size.

Verdict – 8/10

It hasn’t taken long for the Mondeo to become a familiar site on our roads but, despite its popularity, it still looks fresh today.

Although perhaps a little over-styled in places, the Mondeo remains a fine piece of design that proves company car drivers need not sacrifice style over substance. Luckily, the Mondeo comes with both. As an all-rounder on the road it has no rival, while the cabin is one of the most spacious in its class too.

Throw in the huge range, punchy engines and a number of frugal options, and the latest Mondeo is probably the most complete car that Ford have ever built.

Best Model: 2.0TDCi Zetec - £20,495