Ford's new Mondeo TDCi is the 2007 Australia's Best Cars winner in the Mid Size cars over $28,000 class.
Value for money
Pricing
The Mondeo range opens with the 2.3 litre petrol LX sedan, at $29,990. The 2.3 litre Zetec sedan and hatch are both $34,990. A 2.0 litre turbo diesel is fitted to the TDCi sedan and hatch, priced at $37,990, while the range topping XR5 Turbo hatch, with a 2.5 litre five cylinder petrol turbo engine is $41,990.
Warranty
Three years/100,000 kilometres.
Standard equipment
LX Mondeo includes a six-speed sequential automatic, airconditioning, an in-dash single CD player with input for iPod/MP3 players and steering wheel controls, stability control, seven airbags, tinted windows and 16 inch steel wheels with 215/55 tyres.
Mondeo Zetec and TDCi additions include dual zone automatic air, 17 inch alloys with 235/45 tyres, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, an alarm, in-dash six stack CD player, power rear windows and a leather wrapped steering wheel.
XR5 additions include a body kit, 18 inch alloys with 235/40 tyres, spoiler, fake suede/leather upholstered sports seats, keyless start, and "an upgraded instrument cluster with Human Machine Interface." Don't know what that is, but it sounds impressive.
Selected options: metallic paint $350, voice activated Bluetooth $450, Cruise pack $1500 (LX: cruise control, 16 inch alloys, rear power windows, leather wheel); sunroof $1900 (not on LX), leather upholstery/heated front seats $2000 (Zetec/TDCi only)
Retained value
The previous Mondeo lasted from 1995-2000, so its resale values aren't really relevant to the new model given the gap between them. It's difficult to accurately predict a three year resale on the new model. The diesel should hold its value well.
Design & function
Ergonomics
The first thing you notice when climbing into the Mondeo is that it's a pretty big car. Certainly it's larger than others in the medium class.
There's plenty of driver's seat travel, plus height and reach adjustment for the wheel, which also has a thin rim that's pleasant to hold. Audio controls on the wheel are welcome.
However the centre section of the dash, which houses the audio and airconditioning head units, is rendered in tizzy high gloss plastic that's supposed to look like stainless steel or polished alloy but doesn't.
Technical details
- Although the Mondeo weighs in at a relatively light 1537 (LX) to 1604 kg, its 2850 mm wheelbase is longer than a Falcon sedan, as is its overall width.
- The 2.3 litre four cylinder petrol engine produces 118kW of power at 6500rpm and 208 Nm of torque at 4200rpm.
- The 2.0 litre four cylinder turbodiesel produces 96kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm from 1750-2240rpm.
- The 2.5 litre five cylinder turbo petrol engine produces 162kW at 5000rpm and 320Nm from 1500-4800rpm.
- A six speed sequential manual is standard on all models except the XR5 which has a six speed manual.
- MacPherson strut front/four link independent rear suspension is used, both mounted on subframes to reduce noise, vibration and harshness.
- Steering is hydraulically assisted.
- Brakes have stability control and emergency full power assistance.
Safety
This is a priority in the Mondeo, which achieved five stars out of five for occupant protection in Euro NCAP tests. Seven airbags as standard includes a driver's knee airbag. The steering column and pedals are designed to move away from the driver in a frontal impact. Seat belts have the latest pretensioners/retractors, and the seats have anti-submarining bases. The front seat headrests move forward toward the head and neck in a rear impact.
The Mondeo also scored two stars out of four for pedestrian protection.
Security
The Mondeo has not yet been rated by NRMA Insurance. A perimeter alarm is fitted to Zetec, TDCi and XR5 models.
Comfort
No problems here. The LX driver's seat is amply padded and comfortable on a long drive, though minimally bolstered.
Space and practicality
Here is where the Mondeo really works. It has more space inside than a Falcon.
The back seat, for example, has easier access and ample leg room for any sized adult. The seat cushion is comfortable, but like many cars today its backrest is quite steeply angled and may be insufficiently supportive for some.
The LX sedan's boot is absolutely enormous, with a floor that's 113 cm long. A 60/40 split fold back seat further extends its capacity; a space saver spare, though, blots the copybook.
An integral fuel cap in the filler neck is convenient and environmentally friendly.
Build and finish quality
The Mondeo is built in Belgium. The base LX does have the ambience of a fleet hack - in Europe that's what it is - but fit, finish and materials' quality are fine.
On the road
Fuel efficiency
European test city/highway figures were not available for the 2.3 litre petrol engine; its Australian test combined average is 9.5 litres/100 km, using 91 octane regular unleaded, and it produces 227gkm of CO2 emissions.
The 2.0 litre turbo diesel uses 9.8 litres/100 km in town and 5.6 litres/100 km on the highway; CO2 emissions are 195gkm.
The 2.5 litre turbo uses 13.6 litres/100 km in the city and 6.8 litres/100 km on the highway; 95-98 octane premium is recommended. Its CO2 emissions are 245gkm.
All Mondeo variants score three and a half stars in the Green Vehicle Guide.
Performance
The 2.0 litre turbodiesel was praised by the Australia's Best Cars judges for its performance, scoring 9 out of 10. While sheer speed and acceleration are unremarkable, the turbodiesel offers refined, usable pulling power and easy, frugal cruising, both of which are of much greater importance in real world driving. Its abilities are enhanced by the standard six speed auto, which keeps the engine operating at peak efficiency with well timed, smooth shifts in Drive. Shifts are quite slow in manual mode though.
It's a similar but less impressive story with the 2.3 litre petrol engine. It also offers reasonable tractability, assisted by the six speeds, but it has less torque so it does struggle a bit with the Mondeo's size and weight. Drive the two back to back and the turbodiesel is the obvious choice.
Handling and steering
Another standout area for the Mondeo, which shows the benefit of its Ford of Europe antecedents in exceptionally well balanced, composed, taut dynamics by mid size sedan standards.
The suspension has that firm yet compliant character often found in mid size European cars, but it's not a sporty tune. Push the LX hard into a tight bend and it will roll and understeer, but it's very predictable and secure on rough roads.
The steering is accurate and tactile, though fairly indirect.
Ride
No problems here. The Mondeo is quiet and comfortable on all surfaces.
Braking
Excellent in power, progression and pedal feel.
Smoothness and quietness
The turbodiesel is the pick of the engines in this regard. It scored eight points out of ten from the Australia's Best Cars judges for smoothness and quietness. Road and wind noise are also low.
Summary
In some respects the Ford Mondeo, especially the TDCi, makes the Falcon look dated and irrelevant as a family car, because it offers comparable space but with superior safety, fuel economy and standard features, plus a lower starting price. If you're after good value family transport, Mondeo is recommended.
The writer of this report does not necessarily represent the views of the NRMA and this report is provided for you as an alternative to our own NRMA car reviews.
The writer of this report does not necessarily represent the views of the NRMA and this report is provided for you as an alternative to our own NRMA car reviews.
