Review of the new Ford Mondeo Range

It's probably fair to say that Ford don't have quite as much as they would have liked riding on this current Mondeo. Had the market sector where the Mondeo campaigns been in the rudest of health, Ford probably wouldn't need to be hawking parts of its business around to the highest bidders but the Blue Oval is dealing with some tough trading conditions the best way it knows how - through bold and innovative product development. Certainly, the latest Mondeo clearly demonstrates that Ford hasn't bottled it when it comes to putting its money where its mouth is.

Small 4x4s and compact MPVs as well as premium small cars and compact executive models have all tempted drivers out of a traditional middleweight model like this and Ford have had to think long and hard about how to woo these customers back. This car is an impressive response.

Jump in and expect the same dynamics as the old Mondeo and it's possible you could come away disappointed. The front end of the car never feels quite so 'pointy' and you'll always feel that there's a lot of car around you. The petrol engine range opens with the 1.6-litre 123bhp option and then comes the 143bhp 2.0-litre. The highlight, however, is the 200bhp EcoBoost petrol that employs a turbocharger to deliver an enticing performance and economy mix.

Diesel engine provision is decent as well, with the 123bhp 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi unit marking the first point of entry. A better bet is the 2.0-litre TDCi unit which is Euro V compliant in all its forms. Buyers get 113, 138 and 161bhp versions to choose from.

"It's not perfect but it's closer to perfect than all its key rivals and that's enough."

The Mondeo feels a quality product. The slick steering, the weighting of the pedals and gearchange and the excellent damping are reminiscent of Lexus rather than Ford. Minus points would include rather poor visibility due to the chunky pillars and the sheer bulk of the car when parking etc. Once you learn to trust the front end, handling is excellent with a very clever ESP stability control system. Given the car's roadholding levels, the wide front seats lack a little in terms of lateral support..

When I first saw this Mondeo, I was struck with an intense feeling of deja vu. The reason was quite simple. I'd driven to work that day in a Ford S-MAX MPV and the Mondeo's interior, its detailing, its exterior proportioning and most of its mechanicals are shared with that vehicle. Anybody who's driven an S-MAX will attest to the fact that this is no bad thing. Take a seat inside the car and you'll notice high quality surfaces, materials and finishes. As with the outside, dynamic lines and styling curves are again evident, plus the low profile instrument panel provides very generous cabin space for front seat occupants.

The flow-through centre console allows the gear shifter to be located high and within easy ergonomic reach of the driver. The design team has also paid great attention to interior detailing and examples of this include the impressive infotainment systems and the Ford Human Machine Interface (HMI). This easy to use system features steering-wheel toggle switches and introduces the availability of a large central LCD screen situated between the main analogue instruments in front of the driver.

The third generation Mondeo was on sale for six years and although it did extremely well for Ford, its marketplace has in recent times been drying up quite severely. Back in 2000 when this car first appeared, sales for this segment were a healthy 339,000 cars per year. By 2005, it had shrunk to 270,000 models and the trend has continued.

In order to arrest this sector sales slide, Ford have made sure that all the right showroom features are in place. Even the basic Edge variant gets air-conditioning, cruise control, a leather steering wheel, a CD stereo with an MP3 connection socket, seven air-bags, ABS with Electronic Brake Assist (EBA), power front windows, remote central locking, a quick clear heated front windscreen and electric heated door mirrors. Zetec trim is recognisable by 16-inch alloys and front fog lights. Next up are the Titanium trims. At the top of the range, the Titanium X series aims to emphasise modern technology with a 'contemporary' interior and the Titanium X Sport adds some racy styling accessories.

With a range as wide as the Mondeo's, cost of ownership is decidedly variable. Go for an entry-level 1.8-litre TDCi diesel or a 1.6-litre petrol model and costs will be screwed down tightly. Better still, pick a 2.0-litre diesel variant. The range-topping 161bhp 2.0 TDCi engine has to be the star because its economy and emissions are at identical levels to the less powerful versions of the same unit. Buyers benefit from 53mpg combined cycle economy and 139g/km emissions whether they go for 113, 138 or 161bhp which is very good going.

The EcoBoost petrol engine also deserves a mention if for slightly different reasons. With 200bhp, this unit is well equipped to make the most of the Mondeo's well balanced chassis but it still achieves 37mpg and 179g/km emissions when mated to the Powershift automatic gearbox. It seems that low running costs can be fun.

The Mondeo has a very tough target to aim at, with all manner of different vehicles now nipping in to grab a mouthful of the medium range pie. As a result, Ford had to step out and take some risks with the design of this car. They did and it paid off. It pays to do your homework as to which Mondeo model to choose. The range is large and encompasses hatches and estates, with some confusing trim levels and many engines. You can't really go too far wrong with any of the diesel engines, but the 2.0 TDCi models look to be the pick of the current bunch.

By most measures the Mondeo is a great example of what a big company can do when it aligns its resources and focuses on a target. It's not perfect but it's closer to perfect than all its key rivals and that's enough.

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
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT MONDEO DEALS