Test: Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 4 × 4 automatic

The Ford Mondeo looks very similar to James Bond's company car. At least from the front. However, especially as a station wagon, it has a decisive advantage over the noble British sports car of the 00 agent: It is really practical. It offers a lot of space and doesn't cost the world. Ideal for family dads and people who scrub miles for work, right? Test of the Power Mondeo with 180 diesel PS.

family business

Test Ford Mondeo Tournament 2.0 TDCi “full cabin”

Ruby-Red Metallic is the station wagon in the editorial yard. He looks good. Modern, stylish and yet it doesn’t show too much. Social envy of a new Ford Mondeo? Not even with 180 hp, all-wheel drive, automatic and titanium equipment. The test car costs a good 45.000 € with its complete equipment. But envy? The neighbors look inconspicuous.

The fifth generation of the Ford Mondeo is an absolute world car. Forget his delayed start in Europe. At 4.87 meters, the Mondeo is also a large car as a tournament, but not too bulky. Under its hood, the first choice for sporty family dads and field service pilots. The new 2.0 liter TDCi with 180 hp. We also wanted the automatic power shift and all-wheel drive for the test car. We got it delivered in the Titanium version.

The interior primarily black in black, suede-look and dermis. On the rear seat also installed and a novelty in this class: The belt airbags, which are inflated in the event of a fall, doubling their base and thus provide more security and fewer bruises. We deliberately omitted this feature in the following test :), because the new Sync3 multi-navi-entertainment system was much more important to us.

And more important? The increased factor on well-being and quality in the interior. Here Ford has really blossomed the last few years. Fortunately, the Mondeo has nothing in common with the plastic tristesse of the US counterpart Fusion.

180 HP and 340 Nm sound like Kurzweil. And they are. The four-cylinder turbodiesel with its common rail injection runs well damped under the bonnet decorated with indicated power domes. The six-stage dual clutch transmission - called Ford Powershift - can be annoying when starting off on the mountain with a slight jerk, here there still seems to be room for an adaptation of the controls. Once in motion, you can no longer feel the principle of the two clutches. The big station wagon shifts through the shifting lanes and is smooth and rather solid rather nervous.

The 180 PS are noticeably present, according to the data sheet in 8.4 seconds 100 km / h. Traction problems are the Cologne thanks to its four-wheel drive, even in wet conditions completely alien. The fact that you get an extra weight on board with the all-wheel drive, you can not feel it. Although the fifth generation of the Mondeo has lost weight, it is still not among the lightweights in its class. Since fall the 80 kilograms for the all-wheel drive not more negative.

The test car, which was still equipped with winter tires in the spring, pulls its curves over our standard test routes in the Spessart with mild understeer. The steering could of course be even more direct, but the winter wheels in the cute 16-inch design and high cross-section are not a good partner for a quick lap.

On the highway, the Mondeo is finally in its element. Cruise control on 150-160 and stoically the station wagon pulls over the track. The nailing of the diesel engine disappears completely in the background, the Powershift automatic keeps quiet the high gears. The fact that you also sit well in the Mondeo, the stalls earns extra praise and the new multimedia unit Sync3 shines through clarity and ease of use, facilitates the praise after 1.000 km highway ride.

The “fax machine” (Pre-Collission Assist) in front of the driver’s nose deserves little praise. The red LEDs are located far forward in front of the driver on the dashboard. They are intended to draw the driver's attention to impending trouble, but are themselves part of the distraction. Countless false alarms kept the pulse on test drives high. Wild flashing, loud beeping - don't let anyone say you're missing something. Unfortunately, it also often sounds loud when overtaking maneuvers, crash barriers and traffic signs.

A highlight, however, the adaptive LED headlights of the Mondeo. Of course, as always only for an extra charge on board, but worth every penny. A real win at night, the LED headlights shine perfectly in the curves, automatically fade in and oncoming traffic quickly back off. Wherein a complete dimming, thanks to the possibility to hide individual participants, is not necessary.

test consumption

The high weight of the Mondeo and its all-wheel drive put pressure on the consumption balance. But if you choose the 180 PS and often drive long distances, you will get over 8 liters even if you exhaust the horse hoarding. 6.8 liters may represent everyday life. Of course, you could push the last drop a little, manually and with front-wheel drive alone, and even at the entry-level price, you'd be one level lower - but seriously - who really wants that? The next winter is definitely coming and switching by hand? But not in the company car and not for the family friend either.

Conclusion

Save yourself the savings when buying a new car. Take the full hut. And yes, it doesn't always have to be a Volkswagen Passat. The Mondeo offers powerful engines, a decent automatic and is - even in the AWD variant - cheaper than the Wolfsburg candidate. And what you get for your money can safely be described as neat. A long-distance glider with comfort and good equipment.

(Photos are from our test drives for the press premiere in Spain and on the Rhine. Unfortunately, the photos of the test car were “lost”.)