Review of the new Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi - Long Term Test

Some cars get a bum deal in the court of public opinion, good motors which, for one reason or another, don't get the respect they deserve. The Ford Mondeo often falls into that category. Here's a vehicle that has dominated the medium range family car sector of the market and received widespread critical acclaim but large parts of the population still think it's about as exciting as a house brick. In the interests of finally setting the record straight, we've taken a 2.0-litre TDCi Mondeo on a long term test.

Part of the Mondeo's problem is that it's a medium range family car, a category of vehicle that's been on a steady decline in popularity in the face of increased competition from other kinds of car. Rather than specialising in a particular area, medium range models need to be consummate all-rounders and the danger is that such a broad range of talents makes it hard for the public to get a firm handle on what they're all about. The alternative MPVs, 4x4s, coupes and compact executive saloons all have a more clearly defined purpose and target market but does that make them better cars?

The Mondeo we've selected for this evaluation could, depending on your point of view, be the best model in the range. The 2.0-litre TDCi engine is the Mondeo's liveliest diesel and Titanium X Sport is the top trim level. It means a price that's knocking on the door of £26,000 though, which is on the high side. A less plush Zetec model with the same engine is available for £5,000 less and will be a better option for most but it's hard to turn your nose up at the Bi-Xenon headlamps, colour screen satellite navigation, leather/Alcantara trim and body kit that accompany our model.

"The big Ford's size, quality and high equipment levels are accompanied by a first class driving experience"

At 4.8m long and over 2m wide, the Mondeo is a big car and the impression of size stays with you whether you're in the back seat, at the wheel or standing outside looking at the thing. Many buyers will be attracted by these capacious dimensions as much as by the Mondeo's purposeful lines and with a massive 528 litres available in the boot, who can blame them? Fold down the 60/40 split rear bench and that capacity expands to 1,448 litres. Space in the back is also extremely generous and four six foot adults can ride out a long journey in this car with complete comfort.

The design team has also paid great attention to interior detailing, and examples of this include Ford's new generation infotainment systems, plus the next generation of Ford's Human Machine Interface (HMI). This easy to use system features steering-wheel toggle switches and a large central LCD screen with full colour graphics situated between the main analogue instruments in front of the driver. It feeds back all manner of useful information to the driver while the minor controls and systems are marshalled by the larger colour display screen at the centre of the dash.

Ford really has got the dynamics of the latest Mondeo well sorted. Some have bemoaned the loss of a little directness from the steering and feedback from the wheels but most Mondeo buyers will be delighted to pay that price for its exemplary comfort and low noise levels when cruising. Besides, it's still just about the best handling car in the medium range sector, standing comparison with the top offerings from the compact executive class above. The suspension can clunk over potholes and drain covers when you're pressing on down your favourite B-road but it's beautifully balanced as it carves through corners and can be genuinely enjoyable on any road.

The Titanium Sport X model comes fully loaded with 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, twin chromed exhaust tail pipes and body coloured side skirts to differentiate it from lesser Mondeo models. Inside you'll find leather and Alcantara seats trimmed with red stitching, a leather-finished steering wheel and gear shift lever and piano black trim replacing the aluminium inlays. This is as well as a Sony six-disc in-dash CD stereo, voice control, rain sensing wipers, automatic bi-xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors and dual zone climate control. In this guise, the Mondeo really does feel like a match for the compact executive alternatives.

There's no doubt that there are more exciting categories of car than the medium range family models optimised by the Ford Mondeo but few do more things as effectively and even less do so for an equivalent price. The big Ford's size, quality and high equipment levels are accompanied by a first class driving experience that combines comfort with sharp handling. The Mondeo's unexciting image might be a product of its own success but few who have experienced the car have much that's negative to say about it. We've certainly got a lot out of our time behind the wheel.

TOP 5 MONDEO DEALS

The results below show the top MONDEO deals on buyacar

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Edge 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £15,795 Read Mondeo Reviews	Save £5,841
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 163 Titanium X 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £18,978 Read Mondeo Reviews	Save £6,112
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 163 Titanium X 5dr Powershift Diesel Hatchback
Price £20,070 Read Mondeo Reviews	Save £6,520
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Titanium 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £17,093 Read Mondeo Reviews	Save £5,397
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Titanium 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £17,999 Read Mondeo Reviews	Save £5,741
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