Ford Mondeo Saloon

The medium-range family hatch market has not been doing too well of late; sales have been down, while critics have asked whether there is still any need for these kinds of car. Which is why the Ford Mondeo saloon has to be something special indeed.

Ford have pulled out all the stops here in a bid to make the Mondeo a complete car. They needed to if they want to convince the UK that the medium-range family hatch isn’t a redundant, obsolete machine that should remain in the past. The new Mondeo, then, benefits from sweeping improvements, including better economy, high-class cabin tech, and the option of 4WD. But is it convincing anyone? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Ford Mondeo Test Drive

Ford have decided to pull out all the stops with their engine range, and grabbing all the headlines is a 2.0-litre double sequential turbocharged plant that comes in either 150, 180 or 210PS guise. All three variants come with a modified engine block, as well as the brand’s NOX trap exhaust system that ensures cleaner emissions.

There are more solid engines in the range, including a 1.0-litre petrol unit that is – oddly enough – the same one you’ll find in the latest Ford Fiesta. Balmy? Almost. But Ford have utilised specialised engine calibration which ensures the bulkier weight of the Mondeo is taken into account. Other options in the range include a 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine and a 1.5-litre EcoBoost that is good for 160PS.

Behind the wheel, if you’ve ever driven a Mondeo before you’ll quickly notice how much more mature this new one feels. It offers greater refinement and comfort, though this does come at the expense of overall ride enjoyment. It’s just as engaging as it once was. With that said, the steering is at least lighter and faster, although confidence tends to dwindle as you approach rapid corners. The suspension offers more comfortable, but also more body lean.

The Interior, Design & Build Of The Ford Mondeo Saloon

The Mondeo saloon looks more commanding each time. In 2016, it’s bigger than ever – and it also looks more expensive, too. The front is very reminiscent of Aston Martin with its power dome bonnet and laser-cut headlamps, while a sculptured fuselage is classier than its predecessor. The roofline is also a handsome thing, though Ford’s self-proclaimed “sports coupe profile” moniker is slightly misguided. If you opt for the estate variant, you’ll also get a retractable glass roof that offers an expansive, panoramic view.

Step inside this saloon and you’ll find an interior that is much better built, though comfort has been sacrificed somewhat so that you get a more sportier driver. What you do get treated to, though, are quilted leather seats that have been laser-cut, an instrument panel that is soft touch, as well as lots of other stylish handcrafted details that really look the part. The only real downside is the seats which should be offering more comfort.

Since this car is longer than its predecessor, buyers get an extended boot that now offers up 550-litres of space – an increase of a not insignificant 22-litres. It’s still smaller than the rival VW Passat, though, but it can be increased to some 1,466-litres if you fold down the rear seats. Practicality is overall okay, with adequate space for all – except maybe the middle rear passenger who might find things are a bit tight.

Ford Mondeo Price & Running Costs

Prices for the new Ford saloon start out from around £20,000 and rise to about £32,000. Opt for the entry-level Style variant, and you still get some decent standard equipment, including 16” alloys, cruise control and climate control. The Zetec and Titanium trims will prove to be the most popular, though, but it’s the Vignale where this car really comes into its own. Equipment includes 18” alloys, a hexagonal grille, special leather seats and a reversing camera.

An area where Ford really needed to improve the Mondeo saloon was its running costs. Fleet managers certainly wouldn’t look twice at a gas-guzzler, and the good news is that Ford have done a great job at boosting efficiency and economy. The 1.0-litre petrol leads the way, and emits just 119g/km of CO2, while the 1.6-litre diesel emits just 94g/km. Pretty good for such a big car.

Our Favourite: Ford Mondeo Titanium X

The Ford Mondeo saloon has really struggled to be top of any sector, primarily because Ford intended to market it at many different classes. As such, it struggled to put down a marker, and particularly fell behind its rivals when it came to tech. Fortunately, the brand have woken up somewhat and have really tightened things up here. It’s been a while, and some consumes have no doubt left the mid-range family hatch sector behind, but it’s time to rediscover one of the world’s most honest cars.