The new fourth-generation Mondeo has been on the cards for a while now, with the UK seemingly the only place on earth still waiting for it. After moving production to Spain and apparently carrying out 1.5 million kilometers of vehicle testing, it has finally hit UK shores.

Available in four-door Hybrid saloon, five-door Hatchback and five-door Estate body styles, the carmaker hails it as the "most technologically advanced Ford ever launched in Europe." Now featuring a stylish trapezoidal front-grille, 40mm lower ride height and inlayed Ford badge on the bonnet, the Mondeo has never looked so sleek.

Competition wise, the new Mondeo will be looking to make a big impact when it comes to fleet sales, so the Volkswagen Passat will be a key adversary. Its family cruiser/affordable saloon reputation will also mean that models like the Vauxhall Insignia will be on its radar.

So, has it really been worth the wait for the new Mondeo? We take the five-door hatchback model, expected to be the bestselling derivative, out for a spin.

Performance

There is an abundance of engines on offer in the Mondeo – but predictably, the dominant fuel type is diesel. Petrol offerings however include Ford’s multi-platform gracing 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost, a punchy 237bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost and a 158bhp 1.5-litre EcoBoost.

The diesel range kicks off with a 118bhp 1.5-litre TDCi unit, which has enough power to give the Mondeo good versatility, both on and off the motorway. But it is the 2.0-litre TDCi unit that has been raking the sales in. The 148bhp 2.0-litre delivers a great balance of power and efficiency and can reach 62mph from a standing start in just 9.4 seconds. 

Although also available with a six-speed manual gearbox, the 2.0-litre diesel feels harmoniously mated to the six-speed Powershift auto, with smooth changes up and down. It’s no Volkswagen DSG gearbox, but it is still very impressive. 

For those who want a bit more oomph, there is also a 178bhp variant of the 2.0-litre available – but for cost purposes, we would just stick with the 148bhp model. There is even a 207bhp 2.0-litre diesel that can reach 62mph in under eight seconds, although the 2.0-litre EcoBoost is the no brainer for 200bhp plus performance.

Ride and Handling

The Mondeo is an incredibly comfortable car if you can avoid indulging yourself in the bigger wheels on offer.

The Mondeo is not going to set your heart racing when it comes to driving dynamics – but as a potential family/fleet vehicle, it is on the money. Its steering is well-weighted, composed and does what it is told, there is minimal body roll and plenty of grip. Enthusiasts may be left a little unsatisfied however and you may experience a little understeer if you gun it into a bend. The Mondeo is an incredibly comfortable car if you can avoid indulging yourself in the bigger wheels on offer. If you do opt for bigger treads you will pay for it when it comes to ride comfort. Ford has made it clear that comfort was a key focus in the new Mondeo, and the hushed cabin is an indication of this as it is now two decibels quieter than the outgoing model – with rear passengers benefiting from a three decibel noise reduction.  In fact, there is very little difference in sound intrusion when travelling at 30mph on a B-road to 70mph on the motorway. One thing’s for sure, it is certainly superior to other saloon-styled hatchbacks like the Vauxhall Insignia when it comes to comfort. Those looking for something more exciting in the Mondeo may want to explore the four-wheel drive models, which add enhanced grip and control, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Interior and Equipment

The Mondeo was first introduced 22 years ago back in 1993. Since then it has sold 1.4 million units in the UK.

Build quality on the inside has undeniably improved in the Mondeo, with soft touch materials splashed about the cabin and an easy to understand layout of toggles and switches. Standard kit on every model includes DAB digital radio, cruise control, dual-zone climate control and Ford’s SYNC 2 eight-inch colour touchscreen system. The latter feature brings all of your media functions into one easy to use – voice activated – destination. The Titanium trim is expected to be one of the most popular kit levels, adding a satellite navigation system, sports seats and rain sensing windscreen wipers. There is also a host of new safety equipment on offer, including Ford’s pedestrian protection, capable of applying the brakes if a collision is detected with a pedestrian, and inflatable rear seat belts, which according to Ford improve passenger protection by five times that of a conventional seatbelt. Active Park Assist is also an option, a feature that takes control of the wheel and parks the car for you. The Mondeo’s boot doesn’t disappoint, with up to 541 litres on offer with its seats in place. This sits in-between its Insignia and VW Passat rivals when it comes to space. Fold the seats down and you get up to 1,437 litres of storage space to play around with. Rear space is also impressive and will keep passengers comfortable and happy even on long journeys.

Cost

Price tag wise, the new Mondeo again sits in-between the Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Passat, with an entry-level price of just over £20,000.

The most efficient engine in the hatchback range is the 118bhp 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a manual gearbox, emitting 94g/km of CO2 – that is lower CO2 than the new Mondeo Hybrid model. It also claims to return a combined 78.5mpg. Price tag wise, the new Mondeo again sits in-between the Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Passat, with an entry-level price of just over £20,000. Residuals will always be an important factor when it comes to saloons and hatchbacks, and in this respect the Passat may have the edge. But Ford claims the new Mondeo will fare better than its predecessor when it comes to residuals, £1,200 better in fact. Residuals will always be an important factor when it comes to saloons and hatchbacks, and in this respect the Passat may have the edge.

Our Verdict

The Mondeo is no newcomer to the UK market, with 1.4 million of them sold since its inception. It has definitely matured over its eight year new-model-hiatus and identified the key areas it needs to woo in to succeed – such as agility, interior quality and style. How much fun you can have with regards to driving dynamics is going to be a prominent topic for discussion. We think that it is a little unfair to purely focus on this with the new Mondeo, as its comfort is so impressive. It is safe to say it has the leg up on the Vauxhall Insignia when it comes to desirability and comfort, but some may still be enticed purely by the status of the VW badge when it comes to the Passat.