Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCi 175 CV, test drive (part III)

So far we have talked about the car’s engine and performance and its design and interior space. Now it’s the turn of the equipment, and let’s take a stance when assessing it based on its price.

First of all, the most suitable bodywork seems to me to be the 5-door, since the 4-door is less attractive and less practical when it comes to loading objects into the boot, though with up to 10 litres more in the latter. It is also a little longer (barely 6 centimetres), even more so than the Sportbreak. I believe these are numbers that won’t decide the purchase of one bodywork or the other.

Prices and equipment

The case of the prices is somewhat more noteworthy. Between the 4- and 5-door bodywork there is no difference whatsoever, but the base price rises by a little over 2,500 euros if we choose the Sportbreak bodywork for the cheapest model in the range with the 1.8 TDCi engine and 140 CV. As regards the engine, although the model tested comes with the Titanium S trim, we can choose the Titanium or Titanium X versions with this same engine from 30,910 euros, although we would lose equipment such as a sporty bodykit, 18″ alloy wheels, sport suspension and partial leather upholstery with red stitching (see image).

The Titanium S costs 32,635 euros as standard, while the Sportbreak bodywork adds only 1,000 euros (33,635 euros) to the base price. The choice is up to each person, since these are purely decorative elements that don’t affect the car’s performance, except for the wheels, which are 18 inches instead of 17.

As for equipment, we are truly spoiled, but let’s go step by step, and first comes safety. In this regard, it should be said that it is a 5-star Euro NCAP car for adult protection and 4 stars for child protection. It features driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag. It also has a rigid steel safety cell, side-impact reinforcement bars, a collapsible steering column and retractable pedals, as well as electronic safety systems such as ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), ESP and emergency brake assist (EBA) as standard, and optionally adaptive cruise control (ACC) and forward alert (FA), which are highly recommended in low-visibility situations, as well as cornering lights (AFS) up to 15º.

The base equipment is very, very complete and this is reflected in the price. The difference between having everything or nothing in terms of extras does not reach 6,000 euros, the most expensive option being the 7-inch satnav and Bluetooth with voice control, which raises the price by 1,510 euros, and the DVD multimedia system at 2,250 euros. The rest is more or less dispensable, although I would recommend the speed camera warning system, which costs 1,200 euros, plus the increase in insurance, since everything has to be taken into account. The remaining options available do not reach 600 euros each, so the base equipment is really complete.

The steering wheel controls, referred to by Ford as the HMI or human-machine interface, which is nothing more than allowing almost all of the car’s functions to be operated with the thumbs. To this is added the Ford Convers+ option (standard on the tested version), which gives much greater manageability and functionality. Although at first its operation may seem somewhat complex, the truth is that you get used to it very quickly and it is very intuitive. Operating almost everything (phone book, routes, destinations, radio, CD, MP3…) from the steering wheel and without taking your eyes off the instrument cluster is an absolute pleasure. It is a pity that the Bluetooth or navigation system cannot be used without switching on the whole system, sometimes leaving the radio muted but on (see image).

The on-board computer (see image) that measures consumption is excessively basic. We have missed some additional options such as a driving time display and two trip memories (partial and total), but the display of status messages on the screen and a tyre pressure indicator are very welcome.

The Ford Power button (see image) for starting the engine prevents even the most forgetful from leaving the key inside. We have noticed that cold starting on this model is somewhat difficult, as it is necessary to press it 2-3 times before managing to start it. The fob serves only to unlock the doors and prevent the engine from starting if the system does not detect it inside the cabin. On the other hand, when another driver takes over the controls with the car already running, they can drive off without any warning that the fob is not detected. If they move a reasonable distance away, they will be unable to restart the car or lock it, which is the worst of all, until the fob arrives. It is one drawback I see in this defect.

As for the overall assessment, on a scale of 1 to 10 I think it deserves an 8.5, since its excellent value for money and generous standard equipment are a point worth considering. Very notable for people who will be covering many kilometres throughout the year and with a family, thanks to its large boot capacity. Its engine is excellently flexible at low revs and allows very dynamic and enjoyable driving. The feeling inside the cabin is one of total calm, so travelling will be a real pleasure on board this vehicle, both for the comfort of the passenger seats and at the controls. Ford continues to make very good cars and is carving out a place among the best brands. It should always be considered as an alternative to German engineering.