Review: Ford Mk.4 Mondeo (2007-14)

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• Frugal and responsive 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine
• Characterful and responsive 2.5-litre turbo I5 engine for Mondeo XR5
• Impressive ride/handling balance
• Spacious interior
• Refined six-speed automatic transmission

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• For the ‘Powershift’ transmission, reports of harsh gearshifts, hesitations in-gear or failure to change gear – may be caused by faulty sensors or the transmission control module
• Cheap interior plastics
• 2.3-litre petrol engine lacks low-rev torque
• Lack of sound insulation for 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine
• Tyre noise

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Review: Ford MA Mondeo (2007-09)

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Overview

Released in October 2007, the Ford MA Mondeo was available as a mid-size sedan or liftback. Manufactured in Belgium, the front-wheel drive Mondeo was available with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine for LX and Zetec variants, a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine for TDCi variants and a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine for the XR5 Turbo.

Duratec and Duratorq engines

Of the engines,

• The 2.3-litre ‘Duratec-HE’ petrol engine had a light metal alloy cylinder block, chain-driven double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable intake valve timing. The knock control system was calibrated to deliver best performance from premium 95 RON unleaded petrol but could safely run on 91 RON petrol;

• The 2.0-litre ‘Duratorq’ turbo-diesel engine had a cast-iron engine block, aluminium cylinder head, common-rail injection (with single and twin pilot injections and split main injections for more progressive and complete combustion) and was fitted with Ford’s ‘coated’ diesel particulate filter (c-DPF);
  • Both the 2.3-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines were mated to a six-speed Aisin AWF21 automatic transmission which had a Sport mode (for delayed gearshifts) and sequential gearshift function; and,
• The Volvo-sourced 2.5-litre ‘Duratec’ turbocharged petrol engine had a light metal alloy cylinder block, belt-driven double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, dual independent variable valve timing system and the turbocharger was cast in one piece along with the exhaust manifold for increased thermodynamic efficiency – this engine required 95 RON premium unleaded petrol. The engine was mated to a six-speed Getrag M66 manual transmission.

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Dimensions

Compared to the locally-built FG Falcon sedan which it sold alongside, the MA Mondeo sedan was 111 mm shorter (at 4844 mm) and 3 mm narrower (1886 mm), yet 47 mm taller (1500 mm) and had a 12 mm longer wheelbase (2850 mm). Relative to its sedan counterpart, the MA Mondeo liftback was 66 mm shorter (4778 mm), though the other dimensions were unchanged.

Suspension

The Mk.4 Mondeo had MacPherson strut front suspension and Ford’s ‘Control Blade’ four-link rear suspension with two lower and one upper suspension arms, while control blades were attached to the body via rubber mountings.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Ford MA Mondeo included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints, anti-submarining front seat frames and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Ford Mk.4 Mondeo had 300 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs and 302 mm by 9 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2007 Ford Mondeo TDCi liftback received a five star adult occupant safety rating with a score of 35.13 out of 37. In the offset crash test, driver protection was generally rated as good, though lower leg protection was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). In the side impact test, there was a slight risk of abdomen injury for the driver.

Features: Ford Mondeo

Standard features for the Ford Mondeo LX included 16-inch steel wheels, an eight speaker sound system with CD player and auxiliary input, air conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power front windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, driver’s seat height and lumbar adjustment, a 12 volt power outlet and an immobiliser. An optional ‘cruise pack’ added 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and rear power windows.

Compared to the LX, the Mondeo Zetec and TDCi were further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker Sony sound system with a six-stack CD player and MP3-compatibility, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, front fog lamps, and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, front, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power rear windows and perimeter alarm.

The Mondeo XR5 Turbo was distinguished by its 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/40 R18 tyres and sports suspension, contoured front sports seats, Alcantara and leather trimmed seats, heated front seats, keyless start, leather-wrapped handbrake, footwell lights and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror. Visually, the XR5 Turbo could be identified by its sports bodykit (including front and rear bumper skirts, side rocker panels and rear spoiler), unique fog lamps and grille.

Brochures

• Brochure: Ford MA Mondeo (October 2007)
• Brochure: Ford MA Mondeo (May 2008)

Related links

• Ford Newsroom: New Ford Mondeo More Than Just Good Looks (October 2007)

Review: Ford MB Mondeo (2009-10)

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Overview

Released in July 2009, the MB Mondeo introduced a revised line-up and improved equipment levels. The sedan models were discontinued, though wagons were introduced and powered by the 2.3-litre petrol engine for LX and Zetec variants. The TDCi variant was also discontinued, though the more powerful turbo-diesel engine was offered in the Zetec and newly-introduced Titanium variants.

Compared to the liftback models, the wagons were 52 mm longer (at 4830 mm) and had a 12 mm higher roofline (1512 mm); the width and wheelbase, however, were unchanged (1886 mm and 2850 mm, respectively).

In May 2010, the range was revised as the XR5 Turbo was discontinued and an upgraded 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine was released and offered in the wagon models. Furthermore, the turbo-diesel engine was fitted with an automated six-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT, or Ford’s ‘Powershift’) for further fuel economy gains. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its MA predecessors, standard safety equipment for the MB Mondeo was largely unchanged. However, the Titanium and XR5 Turbo variants were fitted with adaptive cruise control system which included a ‘forward alert’ warning and collision mitigation (i.e. autonomous braking).

Features

Standard features were extended to include Bluetooth mobile phone integration with voice control (including audio and climate functions), cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. From May 2010, wagon models were fitted with roof rails as standard, painted black for the LX variants and silver for Zetec and Titanium.

The Mondeo Zetec was fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, a USB audio input (with full iPod integration), new seat trims and sports-style instruments; from May 2010, the Zetec was also fitted with rear air conditioning vents. The XR5 Turbo also gained bi-xenon headlights, static cornering lights, a proximity key and power sunroof. Inside, there was contrasting red stitching for the seats.

The newly introduced Mondeo Titanium was similarly equipped to the XR5 Turbo but omitted the latter’s bi-xenon headlights, instead fitted with directional halogen headlights.

Brochure

• Brochure: Ford MB Mondeo (July 2009)

Related links

• Ford Newsroom: Ford Introduces Mondeo Titanium and Wagon (July 2009)

Review: Ford MC Mondeo (2010-14)

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Overview

Released in November 2010, the MC Mondeo introduced cosmetic updates and additional safety equipment and features for the Titanium variant. Fuel economy also benefited from an active grille shutter which reduced aerodynamic drag, ‘Ford Eco Mode’ software and a battery recharging system which increased alternator output when braking or coasting. In July 2011, the range was revised as 2.0-litre turbocharged ‘EcoBoost’ petrol engines were introduced for the Zetec and Titanium variants, which were no longer available with the 2.3-litre petrol engine.

Visually, the MC Mondeo could be identified by its trapezoidal front air intake, new bumpers and bonnet, single-bar grille, revised head- and tail-lights. Inside, there were higher-quality materials, a sliding centre console, woven headlining and an overhead console with LED ambient lighting. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its MB predecessor, standard safety equipment was largely unchanged. The Mondeo Titanium, however, was fitted with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and driver fatigue monitoring.

Features

Standard features for the Mondeo LX were extended to include a power adjustable driver’s seat; from February 2011, power rear windows were fitted as standard. The Zetec was unchanged, though the Titanium received a cruise control system with speed limiter function, daytime LED running lights and automatic high-beam headlight selection.

Brochures

• Brochure: Ford MC Mondeo (January 2011)
• Brochure: Ford MC Mondeo (September 2012)
• Brochure: Ford MC Mondeo (June 2013)

Related links

• Specifications: Ford MC Mondeo (September 2012)
• Wikipedia.org: Ford Mk.4 Mondeo