Ford Mondeo 2011 Road Test Report

Performance

Ford continues to offer a wide range of petrol and diesel engines for the Mondeo. The petrol range kicks off with a 118bhp 1.6-litre but the big news is the arrival of the turbocharged 1.6-litre Ecoboost engine that has 158bhp. It’s claimed by Ford that this engine offers similar running costs to a 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor and it certainly has near identical performance, providing 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds to the 138bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel’s 9.2 seconds. On the move, the Ecoboost engine is smooth, punchy and happy to rev, so it’s a more enjoyable engine to use in the Mondeo than the diesel. There are also three 2.0-litre petrol engines, the first a non-turbo 143bhp that does a sound if dull job of powering the Mondeo and the other pair both turbocharged Ecoboost units with 200- and 236bhp on tap. This pair trade can also trade the usual six-speed manual gearbox for Ford’s dual-clutch Powershift gearbox. Most Mondeos are sold with diesel engines, so the usual line-up of 123bhp 1.8- and 2.0-litre in 113-, 138- and 161bhp guises remains, with a 113bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel now added to offer 65.6mpg and just 115g/km carbon dioxide emissions. This engine may be frugal, but the Mondeo is a large car and performance takes a dip, so best to look to the 2.0-litre motors unless ultimate cost-saving is your main concern. A beefy 197bhp 2.2 turbodiesel rounds off the engine range, offering 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds and very strong acceleration through the gears, but this motor is only offered in the top Titanium X Sport trim so is not a cheap option.

Ride & Handling

It may be a large car, even by the standards of its class, but the Mondeo still sets the mark on the bench by which the rest must be measured for driving ability. The way the Mondeo smothers badly surfaced roads is a revelation, cushioning the blows reined upon it by the UK’s terrible streets and motorways in a way that makes you think everywhere is lined with ermine. It’s also very effective at sealing out noise from the engine, road and wind to make it the ideal long distance machine, so no wonder the Mondeo remains such a firm favourite with fleet drivers. This is underscored by handling that mixes comfort with control in a way few others can get close to, perhaps with the exception of the Mazda 6. Keenly weighted steering with deft precision rounds off the superb driving manners of the Mondeo regardless of the conditions.

Build Quality & Reliability

Ford has managed to take the Mondeo’s already impressive cabin and turn it into somewhere even more inviting. A new centre console is less cluttered than before, whole small improvements in the detail finish also help lift the look and feel to a higher plane. Fit and finish are also commendably good, so the Mondeo is still ready for all that family life can throw at it. As for the mechanical side, most of the engines are carried over and have proven to be tough in real world use. Only Ford’s less than average showing in the JD Power Satisfaction Survey (22nd out of 27 makers in 2010) drops a star from the overall score here.

Safety & Security

The Mondeo has been one of the best performers in its class for security since the first model rolled off the line and it’s something this car has continued to be noted for. This latest Mondeo does nothing but build on this reputation with a superb alarm, immobiliser and deadlocks to defeat all but the most hi-tech of thieves. Electronic stability and traction controls are standard on all Mondeos and every one comes with anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution too. Add in seven airbags, including one for the driver’s knees, and the Mondeo is about as safe a place to while away a journey as you’re likely to find.

Space & Practicality

The only way to cram more space into the Mondeo would be to build a conservatory on the side, and we doubt you’d get planning permission. There’s a vast boot in the hatch or estate models, so carrying anything and everything is not an issue. For passengers, it’s just as generous a story and three adults can travel in the rear seat in decent comfort, where many of the Mondeo’s rivals struggle to pull off this feat. If you need more space for goods transportation, the 60/40 split and fold rear seat is easy to tip forward and leaves a long, flat load floor. Up front, the Mondeo shows all comers how to cater for a driver for space, seat adjustment and comfort. Some find the rear view a little restricted when reversing into tight parking spaces, but rear parking sensors are an option (standard on the higher spec models) should this be a problem.

Ownership & Value

The Mondeo is hard to fault as a car to live with day in, day out. It has comfort, practicality and affordable running costs if you avoid the more excessive engine options. The new 1.6-litre Ecoboost petrol engine manages a very respectable 41.5mpg average economy for a small engine in a large car. That’s not as good as the most popular 138bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel’s 53.3mpg, and the Ecoboost motor’s 158g/km carbon dioxide emissions cannot get close to the diesel’s 139g/km. However, Benefit in Kind payments are almost identical for the two as the 1.6 Ecoboost is cheaper to buy, so company drivers do have a realistic choice between petrol and diesel. For private buyers who cover an average mileage, the Ecoboost in 1.6-litre guise is a wise buy. No Mondeo will offer startlingly good residual values, but a healthy discount up front should offset this for private buyers. All Mondeos come with air conditioning, cruise control, heated front windscreen, electric front windows, CD stereo and Bluetooth connection, so opting for one of the lower spec levels does not mean missing out. There are a bewildering seven trim specs, so Mondeo buyers can tailor a car to their exact requirements, while Ford now only offers hatch and estate models, the saloon being too slow a seller.