USED Ford Mondeo Hatchback (07 - )

My car

I have just purchased the 2.0 Petrol Titanium X with Sport pack. What can I say - Fantastic. Blue Ambition colour is the business and stands out form the normal silver/grey colours I've seen so far on the road. The car speaks quality from the outside, and gets even better on the inside. Well built, solid and everything you would expect from a BMW or Audi, sorry its a Ford! The engine has a refined noise which adds to the all round driving experience. It pulls away smoothly and quickly when required and corners with great accuracy and poise. Economy is around 38/39 mph, which is a little higher than I expected from such a large car (Official figs 35.8). I've owned the previous Mondeo model, a Mazda 6, and my previous car was a Focus, but I can definately say this car is by far a better all round drivers car. And is just light years ahead of the opposition.

My car

My car has done 23k miles at an average fuel consumption of 50.7 mpg, thanks to long-legged gearing, & motorway commute. Front tyres ready for replacement. Performance is more than adequate, with plenty of low-down pull. Engine noise is well muted, except when cold. On motorways, it is a quiet cruiser.

Quiet country roads show the car's good but uninspiring handling characteristics.

What totally spoils the car for me is the driver's seat. On roundabouts & right hand bends, the support from the seat is almost non-existent, yet on left hand bends you are held in the seat fairly well. The problem is that there is a plate which holds the airbag on the seat RHS, giving support to the right shoulder, yet on the LHS there is no plate, allowing the seat shoulder cushion to deform badly, giving no support. This means that I (unconsciously) tended to sit with my spine bent. Consequently I have had from Christmas time, a sore lower back & left hip. Ford is aware of my complaint, & seat back cushion was replaced at about 6000 miles with short term improvement only. On holiday, I drove hire car for 2 weeks, with no pain at all. Two days after arriving home, the pain returned. Ford arranged for the car to be examined by Ford Fleet at my local Ford garage. I arranged time off work, only for the Ford examiner NOT TO TURN UP! I'm now waiting for a suitable ‘hand me down’ company car to become available. Any comments, Ford?

My car

I currently own a 03 BMW 520i ES SE and I have just ordered a 2.5T Titanium X 5 dr hatch as my next company car. I recently had the pleasure - and I mean pleasure - of a four-day test drive of a Mondeo 2.5T Ghia. In a word SUPERB!

The size of the car is comparable to my 5 Series, if a little shorter, but inside it has acres of room and will seat five in comfort. The 2.5T engine is smooth, powerful and differs from the characteristics of the Focus ST; however, you'll find any excuse to go out and put manners on hot hatches, particularly when they come up behind you.

The car is at home on motorways whilst cruising, with the cruise control and stereo steering wheel controls perfectly placed for a relaxing journey. For a front-wheel drive car it will also handle brilliantly on your favourite country lane, giving you oodles of confidence.

Positives: Smooth, powerful engine that can practically be driven in any gear, well suited to the car. The ergonomics of the car and the handling are fantastic; and the overall practicality of a five-door hatchback makes it a boon of a car. The Bluetooth, auto wipers and auto lights work well too.

Downside: Fuel economy when pressed will return ~24mpg; however, on a run it will achieve ~30mpg or ~450 miles on a tank. The dashboard reflects on the windscreen and park sensors are recommended due to its size. Sat-nav does not accept a full postcode. It is not as refined as German cars. 18” alloys protrude - so be careful when parkin

My car

I own a current 54-plated 2.0 Zetec 130bhp hatchback which is due to be changed.

I've had the new 2.0 Zetec TDCi 140 hatchback on Talkback three-day loan. On first impressions, I though that they had taken everything typical about a Mondeo, rehashed it and put it all back again, albeit slightly differently!

Bearing in mind that the old shape is over five years old, with technology moving like it does, you would expect this new one to be more refined.

The rattle of the TDCi engine is still prevalent,despite the car having less than 1000 miles on the clock. The glovebox door is flimsy. The built-in touch screen navigation works well although is not a standard feature in a Zetec car.

The rear windscreen visibility is poor.

The reflection by the front vent mentioned by other reviewers is very obvious.

Fuel economy in my three days was rubbish, only returning a combined 32mpg!

Other reviews say that this car is a rival for BMW/Audi etc. I have owned a 3 Series 320d and I can honestly say that to compare the Mondeo to these marks is utter rubbish. Whilst it is better than the old Mondeo model, it still doesn't come close to those premium brands for driver appeal and kudos.

Ford has tried to move away from the fleet market to keep depreciation lower. Trust me - give it a few more months and Ford will realise the error of their ways and offer these with huge discounts to the fleet operators, because this is where the Mondeo firmly sits.