Used Ford Mondeo Saloon 1993 - 2000 review

What's the used Ford Mondeo like?

You won't find a more enjoyable family car to drive for the money. The Mondeo was the class of the field in its day, and even now its responses feel sharp and rewarding.

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Overview

Compelling combination of driving pleasure, practicality and affordability

Pros

• Rewarding drive, keen prices

Cons

• Engines lack refinement
• no hard image
• hatch version is more versatile

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The ride quality may seem a little firmer than some of its rivals', but it takes very poor surfaces to really upset its composure. It remains unruffled at motorway speeds, too, and will cruise at the legal limit all day long in hushed calm, although the diesel models are noisier than the free-revving petrol units.

The driving position should prove comfortable for most people, the controls are a model of sensible design and there's sufficient space for three abreast in the rear. The middle-rear passenger will have a three-point belt on all versions, too. This saloon model has a big boot, but it can't match the hatchback for ultimate practicality.

Our recommendations

Which used Ford Mondeo should I buy?

The hatchback and saloon each offers a selection of 21 models - 16 petrols and five diesels - but although the diesels deliver more than 40mpg, they lack refinement.

The 2.5-litre V6 isn't as sweet as you'd imagine, either, so our favourites are the eager four-cylinders. Of those, the 1.8-litre offers the best balance of performance and economy, just shading the 2.0.

As for equipment, the basic Aspen trim is decent enough, but it's better to head up the range to LX, which is our choice. It brings you all the creature comforts you need and nothing you can't do without, although GLX raises the bar higher still. Ghia and Ghia X bring leather, wood trim, CD changers and cruise control, while Si and ST are the sporting models.

If you can, go for a model from after February 1998, from when most Mondeos were fitted with standard air-conditioning.