Ford mondeo 2.0 petrol review

This is the third generation of the Ford Mondeo Hatchback. It’s also the largest, most comfortable, and best equipped version yet, with a derivative to suit most buyers.

The entry-level cars are the best large hatchbacks you can buy and far superior to the Vauxhall Vectra and Renault Laguna. Overlook the Ford badge and the top-range models rival prestige cars such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class in terms of build quality and driving experience.

Competitively priced

Prices have actually come down for this generation of Mondeo, despite the fact that it’s better equipped, safer and bigger than before. The flipside to this is that the huge discounts that were previously available will now be much more difficult to come by because Ford has reduced the list prices.

This car is far better to drive than before and is now a genuine competitor in the handling stakes for its predominantly rear-wheel-driven and predominantly German rivals. It feels very ‘premium’ in the cabin too, further adding to the prestige appeal that Ford buyers expect nowadays.

At home on the motorway

Cabin refinement has taken a leap forward, and driving the Mondeo is a comfortable and quiet experience. It’s the perfect motorway cruiser, which is why the car is so popular with company car drivers.

There’s a range of low-CO2, high MPG diesel engines alongside some more powerful petrol offerings if you fancy performance instead of petrol-saving.

Facelifted in 2010

In 2010 the Mondeo received a little cosmetic surgery. The most noticeable part of this refresh is the new nose-job. The front end has had a complete overhaul, and this includes an enlarged lower grille and a smaller upper grille, while the rear receives new LED tail-lights, an all-new bumper, a reshaped valance and an integrated rear spoiler.

The interior has also had a little nip-and-tuck. There’s now a one-piece central console which is soft to touch and the plastics are of a higher quality. More kit is offered as standard including blind-spot alerts, lane-departure steering-wheel vibrators, an alertness assessor, rear-view camera, automatic headlight dipping, speed limiter and LED daytime running lights.

Read on to find out why the Mondeo has its German rivals in its sights in our full and comprehensive Ford Mondeo hatchback review.

One of my favorite cars enters the Almost Car Reviews ring: The Ford Mondeo IV. Why do I like it so much, and why I don’t have one yet if I like it so much, in today’s article.

I talked about how much I liked and I like Ford Mondeo III, categorizing it as one of the best cars you can buy on a limited budget. Even if it is not as cheap as its predecessor, Ford Mondeo IV is still a car that has passed under the radar of many car markets: A fantastic car that you can buy with little money compared to what it offers.

Why wasn’t the Mk IV Mondeo as successful as “Have I Got News For You“?

Ford Mondeo IV officially launched in 2007. There was no worse time to launch a mid-class sedan than in 2007. Do a memory exercise and go back to 2007: We are one year away from the economic crisis, everyone is feeling good and is throwing money out the window, usually out the window of a Porsche Cayenne. The streets are full of Porsche Cayennes, BMW X5s, Audi Q7s and Range Rovers. It is the era of the Chelsea tractors, because everyone has money from taking loans solely based on ID cards that they are not going to pay anyway. To launch a middle-class sedan in this economic environment is like receiving a prize for participating in a competition: you are there in the landscape, but you are far from the center of attention.

However, this does not mean that the Ford Mondeo IV was a bad car, on the contrary. It still remains one of the most dynamic and sporty cars in its class, it comes with a combination of new and old engines, it brings better quality to the interior and acres of space.

And the quality is reflected in the second-hand market prices: If a Ford Mondeo II can be bought in exchange for 2 bottles of St. Petersburg and a CD with Tom Jones and the Ford Mondeo III can be bought at half price compared to the VW Passat even though it is just as good, the Ford Mondeo IV however is priced similarly to a Passat from the equivalent year, whether we’re talking about the B6 or B7.

Ford Mondeo IV Engines

Petrol

• 1.6 MPI of 110, 120 and 125 horsepower – By far the most balanced engine for the Ford Focus II, the 1.6 aspirated petrol engine is a David in the world of Goliath, only in the world of the Ford Mondeo IV David is beaten up so bad it relieves itself. The engine is reliable, but much too small.
• 1.6 EcoBoost of 160 horsepower – A decent engine that has no specific problems reported. I just wish you good luck finding a Ford Mondeo IV petrol however, in a world dominated by diesel powered saloons.
• 2.0 MPI of 145 horsepower – The last naturally aspirated petrol engine on Ford, this giant sang it’s last hurrah honorably and decently. Very reliable, a bit thirsty and with decent performance, this engine is the last salute of an era in which cars were built to last longer than the warranty period.
• 2.0 EcoBoost of 203 and 240 horsepower – Occasionally the pistons melt down if it is fed with petrol of dubious quality. Overall, a robust and reliable engine, but complex. Like Sallie Axl, she needs at least 1 visit to the service every year and a maintenance program as per the book. And yes, if you care about fuel consumption, forget about this engine.
• 2.3 MPI of 161 horsepower – Stolen from Mazda, this 2.3-aspirated petrol is slightly more powerful than the 2.0 and slightly more economical than the 2.5. If this engine were beer, it would be Paulaner: It’s a little better and more expensive than most beers, but it’s no Guinness.
• 2.5 Turbo T5 of 220 horsepower – I should say that this engine is a kind of Guinness, but it is rather an IKEA style wardrobe, the engine being of Volvo origin. Large and square, this engine is far too rare to find on the Ford Mondeo IV and far too complex for most mechanics.

Diesel

• 1.6 TDCI of 115 horsepower – The good old 1.6 HDI that eats turbos due to poor lubrication. Yes, EGR valves are destroyed with the same alarming speed. The only somewhat reliable version is the 90 horsepower one, which is found instead on Focus. In any case, this engine is just as useful as those dubious people in the big parking lots, who guide you how to park even if you park properly, and who then ask you for money for something you didn’t ask for.
• 1.8 TDCI of 110 and 125 horsepower – The last call for an engine launched in the late ’80s, the Ford Endura-D engine is finally retiring, being the only 100% Ford engine on this list. Good riddance that this injector-issues plagued engine got retired.
• 2.0 TDCI of 115, 130, 140 and163 horsepower – This French sourced 2.0 Hdi is much more reliable than the 1.6 version. But it’s like saying you just dislocated your leg instead of breaking it. The first PSA engine with variable geometry, it suffers from issues with geometry, turbo reliability in general and also has it’s fair share injectors issues. But these are simpler and rarer problems than the miserable 1.6 TDCI, the engine proving to be of decent reliability.
• 2.2 TDCI of 175 and 200 horsepower – Another PSA engine, also used on Peugeot Boxter, Citroen Jumper and Land Rover Freelander 2. A van engine, mounted on a Ford Mondeo IV. Only the Americans at Ford could do such a thing. As with the previous generation, this 2.2 TDCI is slightly more powerful than the 2.0, only the taxes are much worse. A fantastic engine instead for vans and 4×4 tractors where the torque speaks for itself.

Ford Mondeo IV General Issues

• General issues with the steering column.
• The automatic transmission needs oil changed every 3 years or every 3rd annual maintainance, whichever comes first.
• Sometimes you will find it raining in the car due to the poor quality insulation. The issue was especially bad in the station wagon versions where it was raining through the trunk. However, this is a well-known problem for the entire Ford range, because they don’t have rain in America so they didn’t bother with this aspect.

Ford Mondeo IV Verdict

I said at the beginning that I would say why I would buy a Ford Mondeo IV and why I would not buy one. I said it’s a dynamic car, with a mix of new and old in terms of technology. However, the big advantage of the car for me is a disadvantage for many: it’s sheer size. It is a car that is actually too big for any urban environment, especially if you go for the station wagon version.

The advantage however is that if you get stuck on the M25, you can fold the back seats and so the children have a playground where they can easily play tennis or bowling. The interior space is that big.

Which engine would I pick?

Although I am a huge fan of naturally aspirated petrols, the most suitable engine is the 163 horsepower 2.0 TDCI diesel. It is a versatile engine that complements the versatile character of the Ford Mondeo IV: Do you want a dynamic car in the bends? Ford Mondeo IV. Do you want a decently fast car? Ford Mondeo IV. Do you want a family car that can accommodate 5 people and 2 tons of luggage? Ford Mondeo IV. Hotel? Trivago.

Are Ford Mondeo engines reliable?

What the Ford Mondeo lacks in kerbside appeal, it makes up for in reliability. In 2023, it was ranked the most reliable used executive car, with a reliability rating of 98.3%.

How many miles per gallon does a 2.0 petrol Mondeo get?

If you're after maximum frugality, the best engine of the bunch in terms of efficiency is the 2.0 EcoBlue 150PS. This has a WLTP best of 56.5mpg with the manual gearbox, and 52.3mpg for the auto version.

How many miles will a Mondeo last?

The Mondeo is also slightly easier than its rivals on brakes. And it can typically cover more than 100,000 miles before you need to worry about the cambelt, clutch, diesel particulate filter, engine or suspension. The Mondeo is reasonably reliable.

Is Ford Mondeo cheap to maintain?

Low service costs mean Mondeos are cheap to maintain. Even if you have a scrape, repairs won't be expensive: a new (painted) front bumper costs £290, with replacement alloys from £125 (16-inch) to £170 (18-inch). A new windscreen is £113.40, but £251 if it's heated.