FORD MONDEO ESTATE REVIEW

Performance

4 out of 5 stars

There are no fewer than nine engines to choose from, including five petrols and four diesels. The 2.0-litre 138bhp turbodiesel, which will make up the vast majority of sales, revs sweetly and feels eminently suited to the car. The range-topping five-cylinder 2.5-litre petrol engine delivers a whole lot more performance and a delightful burble when revved hard. A six-speed automatic gearbox is available with the 2.3-litre petrol and the 2.0-litre diesel.
Ride & Handling

5 out of 5 stars

The Mondeo is all things to all people. Keen drivers love its sharp handling, ample grip and responsive steering, while high-mileage drivers appreciate its unflappable composure on any road. When the family’s on board the Mondeo’s comfortable, well-controlled ride comes into its own. You can specify adaptive or sports suspension, but when the standard model is this good, why bother?
Refinement

4 out of 5 stars

Only the merest flutter of wind noise is noticeable at the national limit, and although some road noise does intrude over coarse surfaces, it's never a major annoyance. Engine refinement is equally impressive. A slight vibration at tickover and a hard-edged note under heavy acceleration are all that betray the diesel nature of the 138bhp TDCi.

Buying & Owning

3 out of 5 stars

Successive rises have pushed the price of the Mondeo through the roof. True, huge discounts help to reduce the pain for private buyers, but business drivers face hefty company car tax bills and contract hire bills are so high that it will be out of reach for many. Fuel economy isn't far behind the class leaders.
Quality & Reliability

4 out of 5 stars

The Mondeo's interior features a soft-touch covering for the top of the dashboard and all the switchgear operates with slick precision. There are also high-gloss centre console coatings and modern graphics. Some of the plastics in the lower reaches of the cabin do have a rather hard, grainy texture, but they're extremely solid.
Safety & Security

5 out of 5 stars

The days when you could get into a Ford with a bent coat hanger are long gone, and the Mondeo is one of the most secure cars you can buy. Safety, too, is right up with the best, with crash and pedestrian safety very much a driving force in the Mondeo's overall design. All cars come with electronic stability control and seven airbags, including one for the driver's knees.

Behind The Wheel

4 out of 5 stars

The first thing that strikes you on sliding behind the wheel is just how big this car is. The high window-line forces you to sit with the seat cranked up, and even then it's not easy to judge the extremities of the car. Fortunately, the seat is supportive and there's masses of adjustment to help you make yourself comfortable. The standard dashboard layout is simple, too, but satellite-navigation brings a touch-screen that makes things overly complicated.
Space & Practicality

5 out of 5 stars

Getting in and out of the Mondeo is a doddle, thanks to wide-opening doors and minimal wheelarch intrusion, and once ensconced, there's oceans of leg and shoulder room. Additionally, there's a boot you could get lost in, as well as split-fold rear seats which may make you think twice before placing your order for that MPV.
Equipment

4 out of 5 stars

Ford hasn't skimped on equipment on the Mondeo. All models come with air-conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, powered front windows, a heated quick-clear windscreen, Bluetooth phone connection and a CD player with MP3 connectivity. There are seven other trims, all with varying amounts of luxury equipment.