Test Drive Ford Mondeo Sedan since 2010 Sedan

Ride or carry?

Put on appearance
Let's start acquaintance with Toyota-Avensis. The current car is designed and manufactured in Europe. This is the second generation of European Toyota. What is currently considered in demand in the old world? The former car was distinguished by a very modest view and sizes, and the interior was not particularly spacious. New Avensis looks impressive. Even something resembles Volkswagen Passat - whether the convex grate of the front, turning into the bumper, is whether the rounded line of the roof. However, in appearance he is even a massive German colleague: rounded sidewalls without any subtatam, a high belt line, the tires of 205 / 55R16, which have already become an unofficial standard in the classroom, are barely accumulated into dense wheel niches. In general, solidity with excess, awareness too. What is missing? Ease of silhouette, elegance or sportiness? Let's look at the second participant of the test.
Ford Mondeo is 101 mm longer, 52 mm below and for the same wider. It is not surprising that it looks more rapid and pierced, and the low waist line and molding on the doors visually lengthen the car. Ford's wheeled niches, on the contrary, are made with a margin, and massive slaves are visually expanding them. All the appearance of the car does not cause any heavy associations. True, in this class it is not always plus: solidity is often identified with completeness.
The principle of reasonable sufficiency
Cars segment D - an example of reasonable sufficiency in comparison with the following, often called business class. By the size of the cabin, and in the possibilities of equipping, they are actually not inferior to more prestigious machines. Until recently, the main difference was expressed in the absence of particularly powerful modifications, but now, apparently, only external dimensions remain. However, division into classes is increasingly conditional: the same Ford Mondeo in length is much released for relying 4.6 m, and Toyota Avensis does not fit into the framework. So in real life the segment is determined by the price of basic modification and relatively humble motors for it.
Despite the novelty, Toyota Avensis did not take over the fashion trend to create prestigious modifications in generally simple machines - gamma engines is limited to a two-liter unit. But the marketing of the car in Russia does not look like a European - the basic configuration with a motor of 1.6 liters will not be taken to us. However, the Mondeo with an eight-glove motor 1.8 liters is also not for sale here. The complex of the owner of a large car does not yet allow compatriots soberly approach the choice of a modest motor and equipping. So, what does Toyota consider necessary to be necessary?
Basic configuration of Avensis on European concepts is luxurious. Climatic installation with separate control for the driver and passenger, on-board computer, instrument panel with yellow electroluminescent illumination, insertion under the tree, skin-skinned steering wheel, gearbox lever knob and even internal door handles, heated front seats with smooth adjustment, automatically darkened inner mirror with Electric coating, outer mirrors heated and automatic folding, as well as nine (!) Airbags. It is a pity that auto GPS receivers are not allowed in Russia - the on-board computer controller Avensis is unloaded. An odd number of pillows is quite simple - the driver has an extra kneecon pillow, preventing the leg injuries about the front panel and the steering column with a frontal collision. Something similar was at Kia-Sportage for the American market, but in Europe such a decision in a novelty. A very serious audio system, the edge of which the chief designer of the Fukusato is engaged in the chief designer, includes a cassette radio tape recorder, a CD player, a digital signal processor and eight speakers. And the receiver, in addition to traditional ranges and RDS information, is able to receive broadcasting in a digital format (which we do not yet). I must say, with a modest power of speakers and an amplifier (only 40 W per canal), the system not only performs the impression much more powerful, but also surprises with a clear sound pattern, which can be heard only in audiophile cars.
Against this background, Ford-Mondeo's equipment 1.8 Core looks like Spartan. Front windows, air conditioning, electrical adjustment of the driver's seat height, two airbags, branded tape recorder and large oval clock on the front panel. Even the outer mirrors are adjusted manually. But, tell me, isn't there anything really needed here? If you have a penny on the mirrors, then first on their unsuccessful shape and only then on the absence of electrically regulating and heating. However, all the missing is in the lists of additional equipment.
Salon for the Salon
Size or convenience? To our pair, this question does not apply - drivers growing from one and a half to two meters will find an optimal landing, even at the highest of them, the middle-height person will fit comfortably. It is also realistic in the other machine to dissipate four passengers of an impressive complex. Differences in the length of the cabin and the range adjustment ranges are minimal. The only thing that is really noticeable is in the width of the salon at the level of the shoulders for the rear passengers: here Ford Mondeo surpasses Toyota-Avensis by 50 mm. If you rate the rear seat capacity in conditional passengers, then 2.8 will fit them in Ford, and 2.7 in Toyota.
However, we are more important than the layout of a driver's seat. With the general similarity of the size, the difference is very noticeable - Ford-Mondeo has a much larger adjustment range in height, wider capabilities of the steering column. True, in the lower position, the steering wheel can interfere with the knees when landing. The uncomplicated and pretty hard armchair in the Mondeo is very convenient, but requires careful fit. The desire to leave the parking lot will be wrapped in a need after 15-20 minutes to get anew. Toyota Avensis - Direct opposite; In it, the softness of the pillow and the back is releasing the selected adjustments. In this case, much depends not only on the proportions, but also on the mass of the driver. If the light and thin driver is securely held by the side rollers, then his colleague is weighing more centner just flattering the soft chair with his back - what is the fixation here in turn. However, the comfort does not suffer at the same time, only the sensation of the car becomes the victim - sitting on a soft sofa, it is more difficult to feel ...
On our roads
Ford Mondeo to Russian conditions prepared: increased lumen, dirt-proof aprons, reinforced suspension. Toyota Avensis arrives in a special design for bad roads and a cold climate with an increase in 20 mm road lumen, more powerful starter and battery. From the holes and hidden cavities, the drop of fresh anticar will hang - God is painful ... But despite the increased lumen, when parking, especially the nose to the sidewalk, on Toyota-Avensis you need to be extremely attentive - big front skes and low hanging bumper You can imagine you in unforeseen expenses.
While the asphalt is not too smashed and the coating did not play the waves, the leadership of Toyota-Avensis is indisputable - its suspension is easily and practically silently copes with small coating defects and chaotic irregularities. Problems, as usual, begin on the waves floating after the harsh winter of roads and at high speeds - here the suspension simply lacks energy intensity. To manageability in standard modes, it is difficult to find fault. Is that unnecessary completed steering wheel with an electric power device makes some detachment of the car from the driver. However, the sharp shifts of the Avensis strip performs at ease, confidently holds the course even on an uneven road, it is good in long high-speed turns. It hops it only in the most precipitant and slow bugs - the hanging front wheel is desperately touched, and the car falls out the turn outward.
Ford Mondeo with an adapted suspension is straightened from a Japanese classmate. Although small potholes of its suspension swallows not as impressive and silently, it is not afraid of the combinations of waves and speed. According to the nature of the controllability of the MONDEO, perhaps even more interesting. He strains the driver a little more, but there is no trail of thoughtfulness or severity in his responses. Pleasant, moderately acute Ford's character will most likely like an active driver. Moreover, in the turns of the Mondeo, it is reliable for all one hundred, it is not confused even the washing board on the very responsible area. In extreme cases, the car expresses its displeasure demolition of all four wheels. But to reach this limit, you need to try to manage - is it worth it?
On start, attention ...
And Mondeo, and Avensis have very good dynamics, but similar weight and power parameters do not mean complete identity in acceleration. The Toyota engine is very flexible and easier adapts to the load than Fordovsky preferring high speeds (between 4 and 6 marks on the tachometer). Before this range, he is able to confidently pull the car - but do not count on fast overclocking. However, the gearbox is capable of fixing a lot. This is especially noticeable on Ford: well-chosen gear ratios allow you to use the potential of the motor with maximum efficiency, and the gear shift lever is not different, but acts impeccably exactly. So much that the locking of the reverse gear looks unnecessary, made only to increase fertility.
Toyota-Avensis gearbox causes other sensations. You can still adapt to big moves, and the inclusion of the first and second gear does not bring joy. Another feature is already accurately dismissed on the service - too big steps between the first and second gears. It is difficult to say than the designers were guided, but during overclocking, even the flexible motor characteristic is not able to correct the position. But on top gears that are slightly shorter than at Mondeo, Avensis demonstrates the entire potential of the engine with smoothly adjustable gas distribution phases, confidently accelerating even from small revolutions.
Economy for economical
The price of Toyota-Avensis in our version is 22 900 dollars. Considerable amount, given that prices for the machines of the previous generation began with 16 thousand. The rise in price is more than 40% impressive, but perhaps corresponds to the difference between the former and new Avensis in size and the level of equipment. The best way to recover from price shock is to count a little. Let's try to retrieve the Mondeo to all that is in the standard configuration of Avensis. Add rear windows, headlights, advanced CD-receiver, fog lights, side cushions and security curtains, as well as heated seats and climate control. With you 19 990 euros or 21,990 dollars at the rate on the day of the test. Notice, with an anniversary discount ... Without it, Ford will cost 21,650 euros or $ 23,815 - noticeably more than Toyota. And if you consider that the average buyer, we have more thanks the Japanese technique, Ford dealers will not have easy. Of course, there are proven moves - service programs at discounted prices or a loan under a low percentage. Here is such an arithmetic ...
Comfort in the offensive
What is the key question? Leaves little chance of a diplomatic, evasive answer.
If you intend to carry yourself and loved ones with maximum comfort, then the alternative to Toyota-Avensis is difficult to find. If in the foreground the pleasure of management, then here the Ford-Mondeo has something to oppose. It is not at all like a competition in the number of pillows, speakers and wooden planks. However, for him, Ford has a suitable grade of GHIA, and Toyota has EXCLUSIVE. Still round?

Brief data
Toyota Avensis 1.8 SOL
Released since 2003.
Body options: sedan and wagon.
Completed with four versions of engines - gasoline 1.6; 1.8 and 2 l (the last with the immediate injection of gasoline) with a capacity of 81 to 108 kW and turbodiesel 2 l, 85 kW. Drive on the front wheels.
The configuration for the Russian market is only 1.8 and 2 l gasoline engines. The last also with an automatic transmission.
Price - from $ 22,900 (1.8 SOL) to 29 400 (2.0 Exclusive).

Brief data
Ford Mondeo 1.8 Core
Released since 2000.
Body options: sedan, hatchback, wagon.
Engines: Five gasoline from 1.8 to 3.0 l with a capacity from 81 to 166 kW and three turbo diesels - 2 l, from 66 to 96 kW. Drive on the front wheels.
Package for the Russian market - gasoline engines 1.8 16V, 2 l, 2.5 l, 3 l (ST220) and diesel 2 l, 85 kW. Automatic gearbox for motors 2.0 and 2.5 liters.
Price from 19 100 (sedan, 1.8 l, core) up to 39,520 euros (hatchback, ST220 + all options). The price of this configuration is 21,650 euros.

Toyota Avensis 1.8 SOL
Toyota-Avensis Salon is the most advanced illusion of an expensive car, not only in appearance, but even to the touch.
Electroluminescent backlight of an Optitron yellow dashboard.
Tree, chrome steel, leather?
No - plastic and substitute. But barely distinguishes.
The onboard computer panel is sad due to the lack of the navigation system.
This is a comfort for two and safety for three.

Ford Mondeo 1.8 Core
Ford Mondeo does not pretend to aristocracy. His interior is not trying to look more expensive than there.
The set of devices is standard, but the daily mileage odometer is only one.
Additional inlet noise muffler on the hood.
Rear power windows - for surcharge.
The back seat is not working place.
The central armrest relies only in TREND configuration.

Dimensions, mm.
Toyota Ford.
Avensis Mondeo.
L1 950-1170 960-1140
L2 635-850 660-860
H1 1010 1020.
H2 940 930.
B1 1380 1400.
B2 1350 1400.
h1 290-315 270-330
h2 360 390.
L3 1140/2130 1030/1980
B3 min 1000 960
h4 710 730.
H4 480 460.

SUMMARY
Toyota Avensis
+ Test engine, comfortable suspension, low fuel consumption, excellent noise insulation, high quality finishes, standard configuration rich.
- High price, lack of cheap basic complexation, insufficient power intensity suspension, fuzzy gearbox operation.
Ford Mondeo.
+ Good combination of engine and transmission capabilities, spacious salon, attractive prices for additional equipment, good handling, ease of control of acceleration and deceleration, energy-intensive suspension. Acceptable price as standard (taking into account the discount).
- modesty of finishing materials, limited comfort of suspension on roads with an embossed coating.
 
 
Anatoly Fomin. Photo: George Sadkov

A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"