Ford Mondeo 2007-2014 used car review
The Ford Mondeo is available in practical sedan, liftback or station wagon form.
The Ford Mondeo is available in practical sedan, liftback or station wagon form. It is the best handling medium-size family car and is very frugal at the pump. The dual-clutch transmission option is not as smooth as a traditional automatic.
Initially revealed as James Bond’s glamorous ride in Casino Royale, the Ford Mondeo was destined for more mundane work here in New Zealand. It struggled with private buyers against more exciting options like the Mazda 6, although it was popular with fleet buyers who loved its huge boot and cost-effective diesel engine. Unlike the previous generation Mondeo, which was related to the Mazda, this generation shares a platform and technology with some Volvo cars of the time.
Inside and out
While the previous generation was very square, this Mondeo has a sweeping, dynamic look. The bonnet is big and bulging, flanked by large, arrow-like headlights. The front lower grille is a trapezoid, a Ford signature look borrowed from Aston Martin. Our review car is a liftback (with the rear window opening with the boot lid), although it could be easily confused with a sedan. The latter was dropped as an option in 2011.
Inside, there is a mix of materials. Dark, soft, quality-look plastic dominates. There are silver-grey plastic highlights and plastic-chrome on the leather steering wheel. Everything feels solid and durable, if a little dated. The main gauges are set in their own round chrome-trimmed pods.
The main dashboard lighting and graphics are red. The stereo system, capable of playing CDs and MP3 files, is relatively simple to operate and sounds good. The air-conditioning is a basic manual system.
The driver's seat is electrically adjustable, including for height. This adjustment seems to make it go up at an angle, rather than straight up and down. That makes it harder to find a comfortable position. The seats are firm and very supportive.
The rear seat has enough room for three smaller adults across, and each gets a headrest. Legroom is good, though not class-leading. A slight rise in the centre seat provides more support for the window passengers, though it is not enough to make a middle seat passenger uncomfortable.
Our Mondeo liftback has one of the largest boots in a medium-size car. At 528 litres it can take up to four large suitcases and, unlike a sedan, you can stack a few more items on top. Access is excellent, thanks to the large rear hatch. With the seats folded down, space expands to 1,448 litres. The station wagon’s load space can expand up to 1,728 litres.
On the road
Mondeos are known as one of the best handling family cars you can buy. Our review car is no exception. The steering feels very responsive and well weighted, although some may find it a little heavy. The ride is very comfortable and body roll is almost non-existent. Overall, the Mondeo has a substantial, well-planted feel to the way it drives. The brakes are excellent.
Engines available in the Mondeo are the 2 and 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol, a 2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and a 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol. One diesel engine is on offer and is fitted to our review vehicle. The 2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit produces 102kW and 370Nm. It feels eager and very strong and is quick to sprint away from the lights. This engine is quite noisy, with the sound not as well insulated from the cabin as most other model diesels.
The only transmission available with this engine is both a blessing and a curse. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic is very efficient, combining with the diesel engine to give a range of well over 1,000km. It is also very quick to shift and does a good job of being in the right gear at the right time. You can also change it manually. Unfortunately, it is also a little harsh.
There are some issues with this transmission – see the Reliability section later in this review. Visibility in the Mondeo is decent, with excellent wing mirrors that use a split lens to provide a wider view. With the rear headrests up, the view to the rear is a little restricted. As this model has no rear parking sensors or camera as standard, we would recommend fitting a camera. To fit one yourself will cost from $50, or a professional will do it from $200.
Mondeos sold from 2007-2010 have an unbraked tow rating of 750kg and a braked rating of 1,400kg. From 2010, petrol models could pull an additional 50kg unbraked and 100kg braked. From 2010 diesel cars, including our review vehicle could tow 750kg unbraked and 2,000kg braked – one of the better ratings in the class and enough for a medium-size trailer boat.
Safety
RightCar lists the Mondeo (2007-2015) with the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. Standard safety specifications are high – they include front, side and curtain airbags, seat belt reminders, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and electronic stability control.
ISOFIX child seat mounts are found in the rear seat window positions. All three rear seats feature a full shoulder-style belt, which offers more protection than a lap-only belt.
Reliability
This generation Mondeo is relatively new – there are few reports of significant issues with the engines, body or systems. It does have a timing belt, although its recommended replacement schedule is later than most other cars at 160,000km.
This is known to have a higher-than-expected rate of failure, and there have been several class-action lawsuits filed in Australia and around the world. Common symptoms include harsh shifting, jerking, delayed downshift, delayed acceleration and general failure.
Prospective buyers are strongly advised to have any late-model Mondeo fitted with this unit inspected by a trained professional. If necessary, contact a local Ford dealer to determine if the transmission has been repaired or replaced under warranty.
Cost of ownership
Ford recommends servicing the Mondeo every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first. Services cost $249. The timing belt replacement costs from $1,000.
This is a very frugal car for its size and capability. RightCar estimates that doing over 14,000km of driving a year, a Mondeo TDCi will cost $2,000 to fuel and cover Road User Charges. The 62-litre fuel tank will cost $89.90 to fill at $1.45 per litre and should take you 1,090km before the fuel light comes on.
A vehicle licence for the Mondeo TDCi costs $156.68 a year, with the car in the cheapest ACC levy group for diesel vehicles.
Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance for a Mondeo valued at $12,800 will cost $48.35* per month. This is $2 a month cheaper than a Mazda 6.
Buyers' guide
The car was not a sales success in New Zealand, with the Mazda 6 more popular thanks to its design and reputation. This difference continues today and means that in the used market there is less competition among buyers, keeping prices low.
This generation of Mondeo is available on Trade Me from $3,000 to $26,000 for later and lower mileage vehicles. The high-spec Titanium model is usually at the high end. There are a large number of LX wagons with high mileages available for under $6,000 – they make good, safe, budget family cars.
A tiny number of used import Mondeos have arrived in New Zealand from the United Kingdom. They are generally of a lower specification to locally sold cars. Some feature 1.8-litre turbocharged diesel engines.
Variants
- LX – Fitted with steel wheels, fabric interior, electric front seat adjustment, CD player stereo with the ability to play MP3 files, cruise control, manual air conditioning, electronic stability control.
- TDCi – Adds alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, steering wheel controls for the audio system and cruise control.
- Zetec – Adds separate climate control settings for the driver and passenger and reading lamps front and rear. A sports pack on this model adds a body kit, 17-inch wheels and leather interior.
- Titanium – Adds part leather and suede seats, keyless entry, satellite navigation and reversing camera.
- XR5 – Powered by a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Adds 18-inch wheels, part-leather sports seats and sports suspension.
Timeline
- 2007 Launched in New Zealand
- 2010 Facelifted inside and out. Improved interior material quality.
- 2011 Sedan version no longer sold
- 2012 Titanium model added
- 2014 Replaced by new model
Details
2011 Ford Mondeo TDCi liftback
$8,000 to $15,500 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged, 102kW/370Nm (claimed)
Six-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive
Five-star ANCAP
20,000km or 12 months
Space saver
5.6-litres per 100km (claimed)
Diesel
4778mm
1886mm
1500mm
750kg (unbraked), 2000kg (braked
11.6m
This review covers the Ford Mondeo for model years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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