What is it?
The most frugal Ford Mondeo yet offered, delivering emissions of 114g/km and now available in Business Edition trim with equipment to squarely target the fleet market.
Its list price is £1600 more than the spartan, entry-level Mondeo Edge in Econetic trim, and £600 more than the Zetec Econetic. For your extra pounds, you get a good value package of additional equipment including an upgraded navigation system with DAB and MP3 functions front and rear parking sensors, cruise control and privacy glass.
The standard-fit 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights and chrome trims give it the kind of driveway appeal that can sometimes lack in fleet big-hitters.
What's it like?
There’s no lack of urge from the Dagenham-built 1.6-litre TDCi unit. There’s a small amount of diesel rumble at start-up but, for the most part, it is smooth and quiet on the move. Power tails off from around 3500rpm, which is when the engine’s clatter begins to drift into the cabin. Back off, or shift up and it regains its composure.
The ride and handling balance is perfectly judged. Over a variety of road surfaces and speeds, the Mondeo’s suspension soaked the worst of the bumps but still retained a huge amount of body control. Despite the basic architecture dating back to 2007, the steering is still among the class best. Some may find it a little light around the first few degrees of lock, but there’s a delicacy that’s hard to beat.
It’s easy to dismiss the Econetic model as a cost-conscious purchase, but the simple fact is that most buyers won’t need any more. As an everyday family car or motorway hack, the 113bhp unit is more than adequate. It feels relaxed at motorway pace, with plenty in its pocket for overtaking.
Standard equipment included in the Business Edition trim makes the Mondeo an easy companion. There’s pretty much all the kit most drivers really need. Leather trim might be nice, but after a six-hour drive, things can get a bit sticky. Plus it’ll hurt your benefit-in-kind rating.
Should I buy one?
Yes. If you’re choosing your next company car, this is the Mondeo to go for. And even if it’s a private purchase, there is much to recommend, not least the promise of 114g/km and 65.7mpg. The question is, has Ford undermined the rest of its Mondeo range with such a competent all-rounder?
Stuart Milne
Mondeo Zetec Business Edition 1.6TDCI Econetic start-stop
Price £21,795; 0-62mph 11.9sec; Top speed 118mph; Economy 65.7mpg; CO2 114g/km; Kerbweight 1496kg; Engine type 4-cyl turbodiesel, 1560cc; Power 113bhp at 3600rpm; Torque 199lb ft at 1750-2500rpm; Gearbox 6-spd manual
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Engine choice
Having driven the 1.6 TDCi ECO version for over 100,000 miles I have just decided to stick with this engine for my next car. While I would like the extra power of the 2.0 140 when pulling away, the 1.6 is perfectly adequate most of the time, and has easily the smoothest drivetrain of any Ford diesel I have driven - including a wonderfully slick gearchange which makes extracting the power more of a pleasure. The economy has been relatively disappointing at 51-53 mpg, but this engine is 2 bands lower for BiK which is probably the final decider for me. The fact that I still enjoy driving it after 100,000 miles says a lot too - this is easily one of the best cars I have run. Yes, I know there is a new Mondeo due next year, but the great spec of the run-out Business Edition is fair compensation. I will be intrigued to see how Ford improve on this Mondeo.
Performance/Economy
I have driven the Econetic version for 78,000 miles so far. Overall it is a fine car, but I do find it underpowered when pulling away from start or on hills. I find myself having to leave larger gaps when pulling out into traffic. And the real economy is nowhere near the advertised 65mpg. The best monthly average I have managed is 53mpg, even when I make a conscious effort to drive economically. Economy worsens by around 2mpg whenever I have new tyres fitted (even though they are supposedly "green" Michelins) and takes months to recover, which costs about an extra £40 per month (averaging 4,000 miles). My overall feeling is that this car would be optimised with another 10-15bhp (perhaps 1.8 litres?) and might even work out more economical if the engine was not having to work so hard.
Otherwise it is a very fine car with a good ride/handling compromise. The engine and gearchange are both significantly smoother than previous Ford diesels I have driven.
Mondeo 1.6TDCi
Have done 8000 miles in my 1.6TDCi Mondeo in mixed motorway/urban driving since I got it in May. I just filled it up and got a genuine 880 miles out of the tank - around 58mpg which I can't believe for this size of car. This Peugeot/Citroen diesel engine is a gem. Everything works on the car, nothing gone wrong, it drives like a dream (don't recognise the complaints about the steering), seats the family in high comfort and has the carrying capacity of a skip. But the CONVERS+ system is a hideous frippery, it irritates me that the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel are set up for LHD and I still tune into FM asthe DAB falls over.
We might all be going nuts for SUVs (I had two before the Mondeo) but the modern traditional saloon is massively impressive and comparatively great value for money.