The replacement for the third generation Ford Mondeo has been a long time coming. Unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in 2012 and on sale in other parts of the world since then, Ford's new large family car is here at last and it looks like it has got the means to make up for lost time.
And boy, the new Mondeo needs to be good. Simply because the mid-sized segment is hotly contested with a bevy of cars like the Honda Accord, the Hyundai Sonata, the Mazda6, the Toyota Camry and the Volkswagen Passat.
Exterior
While the car is undoubtedly still recognisable as a Mondeo, Ford has put a fresh spin on its large family car to help it stand out from the crowd. And we are going as far as saying the all new Ford looks the most aggressive in its segment.
Somehow or rather, the car's front closely resembles that of an Aston Martin (a brand Ford once owned). Nonetheless, the new Ford 'corporate' hexagonal grille, body-mounted Ford badge, slim laser-cut headlights and extreme bonnet contours help give a purposeful low and wide look.
The side profile follows the same trend with strong horizontal contours and it now looks more aerodynamic, thanks to the arching roofline. Over at the back, it may be similar in shape to its predecessor but it is now cleaner in its detailing and boasts a slightly more powerful look too.
There's some real cohesion between the fine details and crisp lines, giving the car a sense of sophistication and desirability - something that Ford couldn't claim with previous incarnations of the car. You could go on and argue that some of the Mondeo's rivals are prettier, but this entire new package helps undo the dull stereotype of this car.
Interior
Contemporary and stylish are words to describe the overall look of the cabin and it deserves a very high score. For starters, the dashboard is uncluttered with a restrained number of buttons and a large central touchscreen, unlike that of some Ford models.
The 8.0-inch Sync 2 infotainment system is packed with features, including the ability to read out text messages, adjust music and set the climate control. That said, unless you are really tech-savvy, the system offers mixed results for its usage and can be unintuitive at times.
The conservative design incorporates some excellent storage solutions - the hidden area behind the centre console for one - and the general lack of clutter is most welcome.
Contemporary and stylish are words to describe the overall look of the cabin and it deserves a very high score. For starters, the dashboard is uncluttered with a restrained number of buttons and a large central touchscreen, unlike that of some Ford models.
The 8.0-inch Sync 2 infotainment system is packed with features, including the ability to read out text messages, adjust music and set the climate control. That said, unless you are really tech-savvy, the system offers mixed results for its usage and can be unintuitive at times.
The conservative design incorporates some excellent storage solutions - the hidden area behind the centre console for one - and the general lack of clutter is most welcome.
There are also big door pockets, plus useful cup holders thanks to the introduction of an electric parking brake.
Ultimately, the ones who stand to gain most out of the Mondeo's latest rejuvenation are the passengers, with plenty of space for five Asian adults inside. Second row occupants are also well looked after with astonishing legroom thanks to the car's large 2,850mm wheelbase.
There is also a generous area of 528 litres that provides ample space for at least a couple of golf bags and luggage for that planned road trip over the weekend.
The Drive
There is no doubting the dynamic character of the Mondeo. It is an area in which Ford's engineers usually excel, and it's no different this time around.
Under the hood lies a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine that has plenty of grunt. It offers useful low-rev response and spins very sweetly in its upper ranges. Well hooked up to a six-speed automatic, it delivers strong, smooth and unobtrusive performance, endowing the Mondeo with more oomph than most of its rivals.
More importantly, the Mondeo is both quieter and more refined than before. The only downside of this extra refinement is a slight reduction in the amount of feedback sent to the driver via the steering wheel.
But that said, Ford is keen for this new car to still be regarded as the dynamic leader in its class and this can be proven by the way it drives.
There is no doubting the dynamic character of the Mondeo. It is an area in which Ford's engineers usually excel, and it's no different this time around.
Under the hood lies a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine that has plenty of grunt. It offers useful low-rev response and spins very sweetly in its upper ranges. Well hooked up to a six-speed automatic, it delivers strong, smooth and unobtrusive performance, endowing the Mondeo with more oomph than most of its rivals.
More importantly, the Mondeo is both quieter and more refined than before. The only downside of this extra refinement is a slight reduction in the amount of feedback sent to the driver via the steering wheel.
But that said, Ford is keen for this new car to still be regarded as the dynamic leader in its class and this can be proven by the way it drives.
An even balance between ride and handling was one of the old Mondeo's highlights and the new one also has this in its artillery. There's no getting away from the fact that this is a big and heavy car but with plentiful grip and tightly controlled body movements, it changes direction with very impressive agility for a car of this size.
Although the Mondeo's ride has been tuned more for comfort, the suspension setup has not gone all soft. It soaks up imperfections and corrugations but provides a very settled and sophisticated feel at the same time, making this car a lovely long-legged cruiser for trips up North.
Conclusion
With excellent refinement, ample space and superb dynamics, the new Mondeo ticks many boxes on a large family sedan's shopping checklist. This also makes the Mondeo one of Ford's most convincing cars and a potential class leader.
It's been a long wait, but it's been worthwhile.
