Judging from numerical evidence, it is not hard to tell that Ford hasn't been the most popular marque in town. While the local motorists are starting to open up to the less mainstream manufacturers (think Citroen & Peugeot), there should be no controversy on the build quality of the offerings from this American marque.
The flagship sedan from Ford was facelifted a year back. Its latest iteration would be best described as an 'engine improvement', with the 2.0-litre EcoBoost tweaked to deliver more horses and torque, yet without compromising on fuel economy.
Exterior
In plain sight, there is no distinction that will give a hint of its powerplant upgrade over its predecessor. The Mondeo still has that pleasant, soft approach on aesthetics. Though dimensionally bigger than its rivals in the continental segment, the car feels more subtle when it comes to on-road presence.
New model retains aesthetic qualities from predecessor
The flagship sedan from Ford was facelifted a year back. Its latest iteration would be best described as an 'engine improvement', with the 2.0-litre EcoBoost tweaked to deliver more horses and torque, yet without compromising on fuel economy.
Exterior
In plain sight, there is no distinction that will give a hint of its powerplant upgrade over its predecessor. The Mondeo still has that pleasant, soft approach on aesthetics. Though dimensionally bigger than its rivals in the continental segment, the car feels more subtle when it comes to on-road presence.
New model retains aesthetic qualities from predecessor  |
The Mondeo incorporates a relatively different interpretation of daytime-running LEDs - an elongated strip running above the fog-lamp at each flank. Without integrating into the main headlamps, the stand-alone pieces do give an impression of a 'last minute' add-on.
The rump, on the other hand, does a better job at hints of modernisation. The flowing tail lamps draw attention to the arched boot styling, a departure from the conventional square framings.
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Interior
Preserving sound construction attributes found in its stablemates, the Mondeo's cabin aces in overall build quality. The tan trims on our test car add a premium feel to the interior - though arguably black does not go well with brown. Doors are heavy to work with, adding a sense of 'bomb proof' to the cabin.
Interior lusciously lined with tan leather seats and arm-rests; Rear air-con come to good use in local climate
Preserving sound construction attributes found in its stablemates, the Mondeo's cabin aces in overall build quality. The tan trims on our test car add a premium feel to the interior - though arguably black does not go well with brown. Doors are heavy to work with, adding a sense of 'bomb proof' to the cabin.
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The nod on its cabin quality is extended with the high-level of cabin insulation, ensuring that obtrusions from external elements are kept at bay. Travelling on the motorway, it is easy to overlook the hushed distractions. However, with more time spent with the car (or in it for the matter), the serenity becomes more apparent.
With an eight-way electronically adjustable seat, drivers will find it fuss-free to acquire a suitable seating position. The downside to the ergonomics surfaces during the ingress and egress, with the protruding steering column the cause to call for a tinge of acrobatic stunt.
No such problem with the rest of the occupants though, as both the front and rear quarters are generously dimensioned, with commensurate amount of head and leg room at the rear. As a whole, the cabin feels well put together, truly worthy to go head on with the Germans in this aspect.
With an eight-way electronically adjustable seat, drivers will find it fuss-free to acquire a suitable seating position. The downside to the ergonomics surfaces during the ingress and egress, with the protruding steering column the cause to call for a tinge of acrobatic stunt.
No such problem with the rest of the occupants though, as both the front and rear quarters are generously dimensioned, with commensurate amount of head and leg room at the rear. As a whole, the cabin feels well put together, truly worthy to go head on with the Germans in this aspect.
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The Drive
Undeniably, the 'uprated' engine is the focus of this 'upgraded' variant. On paper, the technical upgrades look convincing. The 2.0-litre now pumps out 237bhp and 340Nm, unleashing 34 more horses and 40Nm more torque than its predecessor.
Taking to the roads, the powerplant is lively through the rev-range. The power hike does not disappoint. What is more captivating is the way all that oomph is delivered - the engine felt non-exhaustive in propelling the 1.6-tonne, be it from a standstill or during overtaking manoeuvres.
The heft of the car is 'best' felt around high-speed bends on the highway. The chassis will respond with substantial body roll if you should attempt to turn deserted B-roads into your playground. Bear in mind though, that this is meant to be a flagship sedan - and like any others, designed to ooze comfort.
That said, do not be mistaken into thinking that the Mondeo dulls on driving characteristics and works best on your groceries-shopping trips. The local variant retains the hydro-mechanical steering which is precise, with sufficient feedback.
This is where the tweaks are in this latest model
Undeniably, the 'uprated' engine is the focus of this 'upgraded' variant. On paper, the technical upgrades look convincing. The 2.0-litre now pumps out 237bhp and 340Nm, unleashing 34 more horses and 40Nm more torque than its predecessor.
Taking to the roads, the powerplant is lively through the rev-range. The power hike does not disappoint. What is more captivating is the way all that oomph is delivered - the engine felt non-exhaustive in propelling the 1.6-tonne, be it from a standstill or during overtaking manoeuvres.
The heft of the car is 'best' felt around high-speed bends on the highway. The chassis will respond with substantial body roll if you should attempt to turn deserted B-roads into your playground. Bear in mind though, that this is meant to be a flagship sedan - and like any others, designed to ooze comfort.
That said, do not be mistaken into thinking that the Mondeo dulls on driving characteristics and works best on your groceries-shopping trips. The local variant retains the hydro-mechanical steering which is precise, with sufficient feedback.
This is where the tweaks are in this latest model Transmitting the power to the wheels is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, which does its job in a seamless manner. Point to note however, is that the manual override function can only be operated via the gear-lever. The lack of the increasingly popular paddle shifters may seem as a setback on the otherwise generous list of standard equipment. However, one would soon find that this causes less of a stir as the dual clutch acts intuitively in most conditions, even in the start stop traffic aplenty on local roads.
Conclusion
The previous facelift made the Mondeo a convincingly attractive contender in the large sedan segment. The latest engine boost has no doubt upped the bid for the continental offering.
The interior's lack of gadgetries may be its short-coming. Otherwise, its competent handling and solid build quality are clear leverages that affirm its status as a genuine contender in its market segment.
Conclusion
The previous facelift made the Mondeo a convincingly attractive contender in the large sedan segment. The latest engine boost has no doubt upped the bid for the continental offering.
The interior's lack of gadgetries may be its short-coming. Otherwise, its competent handling and solid build quality are clear leverages that affirm its status as a genuine contender in its market segment.
