WE LIKE THE MONDEO, always have. Can’t work out why such a decent drive and decent-looking medium contender has not done better in the Australian market.
Like, take a look at last month’s VFACTS sales figures for the Mondeo and compare them with the Mazda6 and the Accord Euro. Mazda sold 672 of its seemly 6, Honda sold 385 Euros, while Ford sold 259 Mondeos.
The Mondeo is better than that. So what’s the story? Is it too close to the Falcon, can that be it? Or is it just that Ford hasn’t yet worked out how to get the Mondeo onto the radar for Australian buyers?
Maybe buyers just forget to check it out.
But perhaps the new MB Mondeo will change things. With a new Wagon, plus a hatch with both the LX specification and a ‘Titanium’ premium badge added to the mix, Ford may now have the right model spread for the Mondeo to finally make its presence felt in the segment.
We got behind the wheel of each of the new models, and, over a range of varying roads and surfaces, had a chance to see where Ford has tweaked the new MB range.
While a longer test will tell the tale, on this first drive, the news – pretty much – is all good.
Both the Wagon and the LX hatch model are all-new entries to the range (the LX was previously only available as a sedan).
The LX hatch - now up-specced with the addition of Bluetooth hands-free with Voice Control system, cruise control and leather steering wheel, at no increase to the $31,990 list price - will be a welcome addition for many buyers.
The Wagon, which is perhaps of most interest, comes at the expense of the slow-selling sedan, which Ford Australia has dropped from showrooms.
Mechanical package
Right now, the LX and Wagon are available with the 2.3 litre petrol engine only. The stylish and well-balanced MB Wagon would certainly benefit from the diesel option.
There is nothing wrong though with the smooth and surprisingly tractable 2.3 litre Duratec 16-valve petrol engine. With 118kW @ 6500rpm and 208 Nm @ 4200rpm, and a willingness to spin effortlessly, it’s no gasping slouch and moves the Mondeo in hatch or wagon form along quite nicely.
The diesel option for the Zetec and Titanium hatch is the potent and familiar TDCi Duratorq diesel with 103kW @ 4000rpm and 320Nm available from 1750rpm.
Each powerplant is mated to Ford’s excellent six-speed automatic auto. Those six nicely-spaced ratios provide strong performance for both models.
The diesel – which is a cracker – has the edge once things are rolling. It is very strong in the mid-speeds, from 80-100km/h, and effortlessly holds momentum on the road.
The diesel is the choice, especially if you’re regularly loaded up. This latter point would make it a ‘monty’ for the Wagon.
That said, the peakier petrol, thanks to its willingness to keep spinning, is faster in a bolt off the line. But, with fewer Newton-metres to call on, you find yourself making more use of the six-speed box to maintain momentum through corners and hills.
The drive
There are two things that surprise with the Wagon. The first is its size.
This is a big wagon; it’s got more load space than Holden’s Sportwagon, but it doesn’t look bulbous nor does it feel it at the wheel. In the metal, it looks sharp with a nice front to rear balance, clean lines, a rising hipline and a deep stylish crease running nose to tail.
On road, it feels little different to any other well-sorted medium-hatch. But with the split-fold (60:40) seats tipped forward, you could get a forty-four gallon drum into the cargo space.
Importantly, it doesn’t turn all ‘arsy’ and top heavy when giving it a push through the bends. Sure, you’re aware there’s some weight back there, but the Mondeo Wagon’s handling is first-class.
The second surprise is the refinement. Though we traversed a variety of roads including some coarse blue-metal bitumen, the Wagon is all-but free of typical wagon resonance and ‘boom’.
Wind-noise, as with the Fiesta and Focus, is commendably banished. There is a little tyre shearing, but only on the coarsest surfaces. The rear suspension is nicely isolated, despite the large hollow space above it, and NVH is particularly low.
In fact, the MB Mondeo Wagon performs better for NVH in our view than the greatly improved (over the former model) Mazda6 wagon for instance: a tick there to Ford’s acoustic engineers.
2010 BMW 120d Hatch manual (E87) 
2009 Holden Commodore SS Sportwagon 
2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 
2009 Ford Mondeo MB (Titanium) 
2009 Honda Civic Type R 
2009 Nissan 370Z Auto 
2009 Volkswagen Passat CC V6 FSI
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen an advert for one on TV. Add to that, they seem to be hidden away in a dark corner of dealerships and it’s no surprise they don’t do better.
The real reason that and the Epica doesn’t do well in my opinion? It’s because the average aussie male says ‘nah mate, I’ll stick to my aussie built car. None of that nancy european stuff for me thanks!’.
At least 1/10 of my works carpark is made up of Mazda 3s and 6s. At a glance, the Mondeo is bordom personified in comparison (even the name screams “I’m going to take a nap now”)…
I think its just poor marketing on Ford’s behalf. If they put more money into marketing this car it would sell better.
As for LS’s comment, I honestly believe most Australian’s don’t know or care where their car was built, they just want it cheaply.
Sorry Morris, didn’t mean aussie built, I meant aussie car. i.e. Falcons and Commodores are seen as aussie cars (which they are), with aussie v6 and v8 engines (also fair enough) whilst Mondeo’s etc are viewed as namby pamby. Of course, those who don’t care about Falcons or Commodores are probably happier with Mazdas, Toyotas and Hondas.
Just my opinion of course, and you know what they say about opinions!
Tony D: Yes its probably a bad name for a car, but if you have been in one or seen one up close, this car is far from boring.
Mazda’s are a great car but will soon become the next Toyota, so many of them on the road. I’d rather have something unique.
Yeah the Ford marketing department need a huge kick up the bum for sure.
But isn’t one of the problems with the 2.3 petrol auto the rather steep fuel consumption - up around 11L/100 I have read.
Reports from both Australia and Europe confirm that the Mondeo is a pretty decent vehicle.
I guess the problem of the 2.3 petrol engine is that of power-to-weight: on paper, 118kW seems fair, although the mass of the Mondeo means that engine will never be spritely. Traditionally, Australian drivers have appreciated torque-on-demand driving characteristics of 6 and 8 cylinder Fords (and Holdens).
To this end the, 2.0-litre turo-diesel engine makes sense in the Mondeo.
But…
What ires me - and no doubt others - is that Ford had at the 2008 Melbourne International Motor Show a Mondeo turbo-diesel wagon, which featured a torque-laden 2.2-litre turo-diesel engine delivering 129 kilowatts and 400 Newton metres.
(Contrast this to the 2.0 TDCi engine 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines currently offered here with 103kW/320Nm. In other words, more than 25% more kW and Nm for 10% more engien capacity.)
More relevant, if Mazda can offer their “own” 2.2 turbo-diesel engine - not the same Ford-PSA developed unit - which has 136kW/400Nm, why can’t Ford up the ante?
Ford’s 2.2-litre turo-diesel would certainly be a more appropriate option for the seemingly sports-luxury Titanium model, especially seeing it would go head-to-head with Mazda’s own 2.2-litre turo-diesel Luxury Sports.
Come on Ford…
Mistake 1 : no supply (won’t wait 3mths)
Mistake 2 : Marketing (where?)
Mistake 3: Dealer attitude….’not many available, want a Falcon?’
Mistake 4: Poor/non-existent after sales service from many dealers
Mistake 5: Poor reading of market demographics - up-spec in right packages?
Mistake 6: XR5 colours (red, white, black, grey1, grey2, grey3)…boring boring boring
Dear FordOz,
Wanted : XR5-spec full manual wagon in Tango, Blue, or that Uk pale blue coplour. Chequebook ready and waiting
I have just ordered an MB TDCI Hatchback with towbar, mats, protectors, mudflaps for $41k driveaway. Mazda only offer a diesel wagon with a manual tran, and you are looking at $38k + on roads. The luxury hatchback diesel is $45k + on roads. Ford aren’t marketing this above the line as they are targeting fleet sales - that’s where the money is for this sort of car, especially the diesel. This could gouge resale values but more on the road would boost the Mondeo brand, so give and take. I currently drive a Vectra (another good car the victim of poor positioning) and I look forward to swapping from prem unleaded to diesel - current a 30C a litre difference.
Heh Guys
I have an XR5 Mondeo that is just great in all respects
I have had it tweeked a little taking it from 163kws to 246kws and 500nm…a real firecracker…I love it…..previous ride was a black 330ci BMW individual …no comparison the XR5 is the choice..black with two wide silver race stripes down the centre from tip to toe….looks and drives great….lets hear it for German FORDS…..I am a vey happy camper………….
Ford have an ABSOLUTELY AWESOME performance line up at the moment.
1. Fiesta Zetec (class leader - cant wait for XR4).
2. Focus XR5 (A bit dated but still nice)
3. Mondeo XR5 (Grossly underrated)
4. Falcon XR6 Turbo (best aussie car ever)
5. Territory Turbo (X5 beater although quite boring to look at)
Not to mention the FPV models - and I’m not even a Ford fan !!!
Unfortunately they are let down immensely by their dealers and marketing department. They need a major image overhaul, but they seem quite happy just selling falcons all day long.
From an independant un-biased opinion i can tell you that i wouldn’t buy one for two main reasons. The engines and the reputation Honda vs Ford doesn’t compare.
Both sales and service, while not perfect with Honda, is far worse with Ford.
The raft of consumer complaints make my point for me.
Ford Australia desperately need a new advertising agency!