Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback
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Review of Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback
The new Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback is the highest spec version of the Mondeo that, according to Ford, should be viewed separately from the standard model. It looks classier (and more menacing), is endowed with a plusher cabin and can credibly rival the likes of BMW.
Moreover, it’s already selling well and accounts for over 50% of Mondeo sales.
The question on everyone’s lips, though, is whether or not it’s actually worth the extra cash compared to a premium German rival.
Ford is a well-established car manufacturer, that has been making cars for over a century. Read our article about the history of Ford to find out more about them.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about in our 2018 Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback review.
Overview of the Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback
On the Road
The new Mondeo isn’t as entertaining to drive as it used to be. It’s still good to drive, but it’s no longer the most fun car in this class.
As always, its steering isn’t as direct as we’d like. It’s faster than last time and lighter, but it communicates less. This means that it’s harder to throw the Mondeo into corners with as much confidence.
On the other hand, Ford might have watered down its driving dynamics, but they’ve bolstered the Vignale version’s comfort and refinement levels. This is an eerily quiet car that’s a polished cruiser. It might not have a BMW badge, but on the road you could easily mistake it for a 4-Series.[vc_single_image image=”83158″ img_size=”article-image”]That said, the softer suspension setup isn’t without its misgivings and it allows more body roll in corners.
In terms of its engines, a 2.0-litre 180bhp diesel is meant to be among the fastest in the range, but its official 0-62 time of 8.3 seconds seems optimistic. The engine never feels that fast. In the towns and cities, it lacks flexibility and it’s prone to stalling when you move up to second.
We prefer the 148hp variant of the same engine. It’s slower but more economical and feels nice and smooth.
Topping the diesel range is a 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine that develops 210bhp. Progress is effortless and smooth, 0-62 is dispensed in less than 8.0 seconds, and it makes for an excellent motorway cruiser.
Whichever engine you opt for, the manual gearbox is less jerky than the automatic and more economical.
Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback Interior, Design and Build
[vc_single_image image=”83157″ img_size=”article-image”]As the highest spec version of the Mondeo, this Vignale trim is plush, well-appointed and well-built. On the outside, its corporate grille has even been mentioned in the same breath as Aston Martin. Ford have already said that they don’t see the Vignale as a direct rival to a Mercedes or a BMW. Instead, it’s for those who love the Ford brand but want more class and quality.
It’s certainly refined, but while ride quality is good, the seats look more comfortable than they are.Insulation, however, is excellent, with a laminated acoustic side glass keeping out most external noises so that you can kick back and relax on longer trips.
Cabin highlights include leather-trimmed surfaces, a ten-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated leather seats and a Sony audio system. Like the standard Mondeo, the Vignale comes with the brand’s latest Sync3 voice recognition. Its sat-nav will take some getting used to, but once you’re up and running it will prove its worth.
Is the Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback practical? The car might be on the large side, but it comes with a rear parking camera that makes it easy enough to park. And because it’s bigger than last time, it’s now able to offer more passenger space.
A panoramic sunroof comes as standard with the Vignale model, and this makes it feel even bigger still.
There are lots of storage spaces inside here, including two cup holders and a good-sized glovebox. The boot, meanwhile, measures 550-litres, which is some 22-litres larger than last time. Fold the rear seats and you can extend it to 1,466-litres.
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Equipment and Safety of the Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback
The Vignale model comes with leather-trimmed surfaces, heated leather seats, a ten-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, 19” alloys, a Sony audio system, LED headlights, a reversing camera and a hexagonal grille.
It also shares some of its kit with the lower spec models, such as front and rear parking sensors, a digital radio, and a heated windscreen.
In terms of how safe the car is, the Mondeo was awarded all five stars by Euro NCAP for its crash test performance. This Vignale model gets adaptive cruise control, Active City Stop autonomous emergency braking and keeping assistance and traffic sign recognition as part of its standard safety kit. It also comes with inflatable rear seat belts that aren’t offered by any of its rivals.
Costs of the Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback
Prices for this Vignale spec rise to as much £31,195. For more information on our leasing deals, you can check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, the 1.5-litre diesel is the most cheapest to run. It returns as much as 78.5mpg if you stick to the standard model, but average running costs will be higher with this Vignale trim thanks to bigger alloys.
That said, you won’t be hit in the pocket too harshly. For example, while the 2.0-litre diesel – which is available with either 148bhp or 178bhp – can return between 68.9mpg and 64.2mpg with the standard model, it manages 59mpg at best with this Vignale trim, which isn’t half bad at all. It also emits 124g/km of CO2.
Pros and Cons of the Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback
Pros:
Looks great
The Mondeo is sharper than ever, with the Vignale version cutting a dashing figure thanks to its hexagonal grille.
Safe
Among its standard safety kit are plenty of advanced systems and unique inflatable rear seats.
Economical
Fuel consumption compares favourably with premium German rivals.
Cons:
Lacks badge appeal
Ford will never have the same ring to it as Mercedes.
Expensive
There are some nice touches of luxury inside the cabin but not enough to pit the car against the likes of Mercedes and BMW.
Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback vs BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe vs Infiniti Q70 Diesel Saloon
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2018 Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback.
Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback vs BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is comfortable, high quality and practical. Ford claim their car isn’t directly pitted against it, but is the BMW going to be too good for you to ignore?
On the road, the Gran Coupe is heavier than the standard 4 Series Coupe but you barely notice it in terms of the way it drives. It’s an accomplished handler that feels balanced in bends. It’s not as entertaining as a lot of other BMW’s, with the brand positioning it as more of a comfortable cruiser, but it will still put a smile on your face.[vc_single_image image=”83156″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of its engines, the smallest diesel is a 2.0-litre turbo engine that develops 148bhp. This powers the 418d model but it will probably be too small for most buyers. That said, it’s the cheapest car in the range. All other models are priced above and beyond the Ford.
That goes for the 435d model certainly. It’s backed by a 3.0-litre 309bhp engine that feels super quick. However, the fact that it’s so fast will make it unappealing to those who are in the market for a refined cruiser.
Running costs? A 420d diesel model is the top pick if you want the right blend between performance and economy and it can return as much as 58.9mpg on a good day while emitting 125g/km of CO2.
The 435d diesel, meanwhile, is saddled with four-wheel-drive that bumps up its costs. It returns 45.6mpg at best and emits 163g/km.
Inside, the Gran Coupe sports a top notch cabin that’s hard to beat elsewhere in this class. As well as having badge appeal, this interior can offer a smooth ride, lots of insulation, the brands excellent iDrive infotainment system and peerless fit and finish.
Is the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe practical? It has two more doors than the 4 Series Coupe, which makes accessing the rear seats easy. It’s also 12mm taller and the improvement in headroom is noticeable. Legroom is also good but two adults will be a lot more comfortable in the back than three.
The boot, meanwhile, measures 480-litres and can be extended to 1,300 by folding the rear seats flat.
Price:
Ford – £31,195
BMW – £33,985 – £48,655
Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback vs Infiniti Q70 Diesel Saloon
The new Infiniti Q70 Diesel Saloon is the left field choice for buyers who want something different. That doesn’t mean it’s not very good, of course, and in fact, the Infiniti is a well-packaged product.
On the road, body lean is managed nicely and the car offers a reasonable amount of grip. There’s not a lot to choose from in terms of the engines, but a 2.2-litre diesel is the highlight.[vc_single_image image=”83155″ img_size=”article-image”]This is a refined and smooth engine that offers a decent amount of mid-range grunt. It can get you from rest to 62mph in less than 9.0 seconds. However, it’s not as sharp as either the Ford or the BMW. Moreover, it comes mated to a hesitant seven-speed automatic gearbox that can’t seem to make its mind up at speed.
Running costs? The 2.2-litre diesel was introduced in 2015, so it’s a modern engine. In theory, you’d hope that translates to “clean” too, but while official economy figures of 58.9mpg aren’t bad at all, the reality is that you’ll be averaging 45mpg instead.
Servicing and parts will be expensive, and road tax is pegged at £140 a year.
Inside, Infiniti have put comfort first and the car can offer a truly relaxing driving experience. Insulation is excellent thanks to double glazing that comes as standard on all models, and ride quality is good, too.
That said, the 20” alloys for the highest spec model are too big.
It’s easy for the driver to find the perfect position thanks to the sheer amount of adjustability, but less appealing is a button-heavy dashboard and a dated sat-nav.
Is the Infiniti Q70 Diesel Saloon practical? It’s definitely spacious, and four adults will have no problem getting comfortable. Legroom is brilliant, and while the Infiniti comes with a swooping roofline, it doesn’t impact on headroom as much as you’d think.
A central transmission tunnel will annoy middle-seated passengers, though.
The boot, meanwhile, measures 500-litres with all the seats up.
Price:
Infiniti – £34,260 – £39,810
Verdict of our 2018 Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback Review
Handsome, refined and well kitted out with a ten-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, a heated driver’s seat, 19” alloys, and a Sony audio system. That’s all good stuff but is it enough to turn the Mondeo into a genuinely premium product?
If we’re being honest – no. But Ford have repeated that the Mondeo Vignale isn’t intended to rival the likes of BMW. Instead, it’s marketed as what it is – the highest spec version of the Mondeo.
Buyers who love the Ford brand and who have cash in their pocket can’t go wrong here. The new Ford Mondeo Vignale Diesel Hatchback is classy, great to drive and practical. It’s highly recommended.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