Test drive Ford Mondeo hatchback since 2010 hatchback

Ford Mondeo

The autopilot evaluates cars according to five main criteria. The amount of advantages is indicated +, disadvantages -. The next subject gained five +. This is Ford Mondeo.
EXTERIOR. The first Mondeo appeared in 1993, and the current version is the result of the thorough restyling of 1996. The appearance of Mondeo is unlikely to cause a surge of positive emotions, but it does not give birth to idiosyncrazes. Quite modern, having its own characteristic style (some rear lights are worth it!) A solid car in the middle class. Mondeo is presented in three types of sedan, hatchback and station wagon. The options for configuration are indicated by indexes CLX, GLX and GHIA. In our market, the last two are most common. The bumpers, door pens, external mirrors and fog lights in standard configuration are distinguished from other GHIAs. ++++-
INTERIOR. The salon is very spacious, proportions are correctly calculated in it. Places in Mondeo will be enough for everyone to equally driver and passengers. The design is a little old -fashioned, which, however, does not affect the general perception at all. Mondeo furniture is very detailed, in everything the spirit of solidity and comfort. In the GHIA version, the interior is enriched with decorative, under a tree, elements, as well as leather on the steering wheel and knob the gearbox handle.
For household needs, all three types of body are adapted in the best way: the backs of the rear seats are folded in a ratio of 60:40 and do not need to extract head restraints. The decomposed seats almost three times increase the already solid volume of the luggage compartment: from 470 to 1260 liters in the sedan and from 650 to 1640 in the station wagon. The length of this part in the station wagon 1.9 m makes it a good sleeping car. In addition, the universal set includes a trunk curtain and a mesh for small things. +++++.
Equipment and ergonomics. In all modifications, the steering hydraulic power steering, the seat belts adjustable in height, the driver’s airbag, the adjustable steering column, the ventilation system with the microfilter, the central castle, the immobilizer, etc. Starting with GLX, standard equipment includes alarm with volume sensors and double locking (which means the inability to open the door of the machine even from the inside), as well as the front windows. In GHIA, this list is complemented by air conditioning, a passenger airbag, a full electric packet, windshield with heating over the entire area, heated by the nozzle nozzles and external mirrors. This also includes a proprietary integrated radio with RDS and Eon and control on the steering column. Other options are possible.
As for ergonomics, the answer is simple: Ford is Ford, everything is calculated, verified, simple, understandable and logical. With the exception of one: the front seats pillows are too short and horizontal, in addition, they are low, literally some one and a half to two centimeters are not enough. In GHIA, this is compensated by the presence of a driver's seat in height. The same in relation to the rear seats pillows could be made a little higher, especially since the ceiling height allows. ++++-
     
 
ROAD. How solid is externally, just as respectable and confident in movement. In terms of smoothness and course stability, Mondeo is much closer to the rear -wheel drive classic than to front -wheel drive classmates. The weighting of the car along the axes is almost perfect. A solid base 2.7 m and a wide track of more than one and a half meters. Plus, elastic, moderately a hard multi -leaf, independent suspension, which equally well extinguishes bumps and holds the car in a given course with the least horizontal deviations. Suddenly, an acute steering wheel perfectly complements the alternating type hydraulic booster, they provide a good and constant connection with the road. Mondeo successfully resists the skids and clearly responds to all manipulations with the steering wheel, transmissions and brakes. A good review, excellent sound insulation and almost complete lack of aerodynamic noise.
Both engines, 1.8 and 2.0, are good for both a comfortable speed drive in higher gears, and for movement at low speeds and speeds in the city. The two -liter is already revealed at 3,500 revolutions, while the other manifests itself only after 4000. Both of them give out even, but without tangible pickups. And if you want a hotter, the arrow of the tachometer must be constantly maintained in the area of \u200b\u200b4000 and energetically work as a gearbox lever. +++++
     
Features of national operation. The slogan does not climb under the hood and do not bother to work the machine fully belongs to Mondeo. Add to this: do not let all kinds of home -made people there. And all will be well.
With an average annual run of 30 thousand km, the costs of regular service at an authorized center (work and materials) will amount to about $ 450 without force majeure.
All engines of the Zetec-E series, which are equipped with Mondeo certified for Russia, deserve only praise. In any case, while in the memory of the specialists of the Ford Service there were no cases of the natural death of the engine. And there are already a mileage of 300 thousand km. Nevertheless, experts working with this model for more than five years are very categorical: firstly, these motors are critical to the quality of fuel to refuel only the 95th and only in proven places. Secondly, oil. All sorts of dubious brands are excluded. Only synthetics and only from well -known manufacturers. All motors are equipped with valves hydraulic compensators, which can calmly serve 200 or more thousand km, but it is worth saving several times in oil and in the near future the purse is relieved to relieve $ 700750. Fans of filling gasoline from the Mondeo canister can punish dollars for 450: the gasoline pump does not bear mechanical impurities and quickly bends. Finally, the third is not recommended all kinds of intriguing additives. You can just run into the replacement of nozzles. It doesn't seem a little. And naturally, as practice shows, nozzles normally nurse up to 150 thousand km. After that, either replacement or treatment on an ultrasound stand. For oils, filters and blocks in the first 100 thousand km of run, a timing belt will increase approximately $ 120.
The checkpoint is unanimously recognized as the unbending. Moreover, in Mondeo, this unit is no maintenance oil change at all. The steering mechanism, hydraulic power and spurs are also at the level of 150 thousand km or more without problems. If in order of anthers. They perfectly withstand our salt baths, but are afraid of mechanical damage. If you have to often drive along the lane, you need to monitor them, because replacing the SHRUS will cost only 300 dollars.
Officially supplied Mondeo have more powerful shock absorber racks with increased springs and reinforced shock absorbers. Increased suspension and clearance. However, leaps without analysis can be out of order first bushings of the front stabilizer of the anti -resistance stability (3040 thousand km), and then its rods. The cowboy will cost dollars that one at 100 to a minimum and at 300 to the maximum. And in normal mode, the suspension elements, including springs and shock absorbers, regularly work up to the 100th mark on the odometer. Most of the malfunctions begin to appear after four years of life in the vastness of our Motherland. In some places, salt rises the wiring, the loops of the fifth door, etc. It is treated quickly and inexpensive. +++++
Our sentence. A very good middle -class car for the middle -class middle -aged class with incomes above average. In this role, it is remarkably suitable for both family and official use. Yes, it is not cheap, but in its niche Mondeo is still one of the best. Deserves +++++.
 
Text Andrey Timofeev, photo Alexey Ilyin
 

Source: "Autopilot"