Test drive Ford Mondeo sedan since 2007 sedan

Variations on a win -win topic

For several years now, large sedans have been called an endangered look. However, the recent middle -class debutants seemed to set out to prove the opposite. Thanks to the growing sales of the six, Mazda updates the records for the number of cars produced. Mondeo diverges much more willingly than expected. It was not so easy to choose the best of them.
Similar and unlike
Standing nearby, they generally look like their own brothers. Say, the back of the roof of both of them is as if sred to a carbon copy. Perhaps to our modest taste, the six is \u200b\u200bstill more vague, more fatal or something. A cunning pattern of lighting equipment, a laconic profile, outstanding (and in every sense) front wheel arches. The designer luck of the Mazda only emphasizes insensitivity to the color of the body. The darling is good in all outfits.
Ford is more dependent on the choice of the ring. In dark shades, it seems heavy. But in light metal or dazzling-white acrylic, as in our case, Mondeo is revealed by new faces. And if the style of Ford did not hook you right away, do not worry there is a chance that your opinion is still spreading like recently purchased boots.
It will not seem a little
But in the cabin you will not have to get used to anything. Both cars are definitely good: cool chairs, easily readable devices, logically located controls, a mass of adjustments. Moreover, each in the sleeve also has a pair of branded trump cards. In Mazda, this is an intuitively understood interface CF-NET, thanks to which with a mini-turn on the steering wheel you can control the climate, the flight comprehensive compliance and music. Ford does not get tired of delighting us with a Russified Board Computer Conversion+. Suppose, both deserved an ergonomics perfectly, and what do we have with the quality of the finish?
 
       
In almost a perfectly convenient Mazda salon, you have to regret only about the budget execution of some buttons and switches
The driver’s chair is comfortable. But the combined leather-tone finish looks not too spectacular
The modest, at first glance, glovey box of the six turned out to be quite roomy
 
       
Indicators of non -set seat belts are located next to the lighting panel and do not distract the driver
A pair of cup holders and a capacious box in a armrest will come in handy on a long journey
CF-NET Joystick brilliant thing
 
        
Acoustics from Bowz in the door of the Mazda sign of expensive sports or lakesheri
The lever of the Karakuri system in an instant folds the back of the sofa directly from the trunk
For the most powerful Mazda, 6-speed manual gwber is the only transmission option
Metallized pedal overlays are laid only in the sport version, on any Mondeo you can get the same for a surcharge of 5200 rubles.
 
And then how interesting it turns out. The six in inexpensive basic versions looks, in our opinion, more interesting. The contrasting light bottom is especially impressive, the dark top is the solution of the interior on the Turin. But the more expensive the equipment, the more obvious the scattering of small details of frankly cheap plastic becomes more obvious. Deflectors of the ventilation system, door handles, radio panel, climate control of the climate control of all these little things, gathered together, make the impression of inappropriate savings.
 
       
In our opinion, today the interior of Mondeo is absolutely the best in the middle class
Mondeo's magnificent chair is good both in the city and on long trips
Mirrors, backlight, Ford-eye-based ford is equipped with a maximum
 
      
The cover of a rather capacious glove box in the open position seems to be a flimsy
The box between the seats is already provided in the basic equipment
The launch system without a key costs 9,000 rubles, but is included in the standard equipment of expensive versions of the GIA-X, Titanium-X and sports
 
        
The door pocket is quite deep
Mandatory for the dimensional Mondeo Parctronics for the front and rear bumper costs 9300 rubles.
The driver's drive of the driver will come in handy on the long road
Five -stage heating of the front chairs for sophisticated natures. Mazda limited itself to two modes

 
Like a good styer, Mondeo, on the contrary, scatters to the middle of the distance. If the finish of the ambient version is not too impressive, then the interiors of Titanium and Sports would decorate many business class sedans. In Ford, everything was invented, selected, made and twisted perfectly. Exception of a tasteless decoration of wood version of the GIA.
Unreasonable advantage
According to the dimensions, Mondeo entered a business class with one foot. After all, the sedan stretched 4 m 78 cm, and the length of the hatchback and even more than the threshold for the segment of four eighty. It is not surprising that the Diva Ford is remarkably spacious. The rear of the rear passengers is 76 cm magnificent result. However, despite the larger width of the cabin, the seat is clearly formed under two persons. Sitting in the center on slippery convexity between two truly royal personal places dubious pleasure.
   
  
   
 
 
Like most modern middle -class models, six sofas (in the picture on the left) and Mondeo are designed for two passengers
Compact head restraints do not interfere with the rear review

 
That is why, despite the fact that the six is \u200b\u200bless spacious mathematically, it is inferior to Ford in terms of legs, head, as well as the width of the sofa in the Mazda with full comfort, the same torn couple under 1 m 85 cm will be placed. And this, we note, under The condition that the same healthy women sit in front.
 
 
The dimensions are given in centimeters. * The distance from the seat pillow to the ceiling. The space for the legs of the sitting from the back is indicated provided that the driver’s growth is 185 cm.

For different needs
Honor and praise to marketers from Cologne and Hiroshima, who entrusted the choice of the right trunk on the buyers themselves. After all, Mondeo, as well as the six, can be a classic sedan and hatchback. If in the first case the freight capabilities of both can be estimated at the hard four, then the huge fifth door, which opens like a modest hangar of a small air base, deservedly adds along the score to the maximum rating. The result of the six could be reduced for the lack of a full -fledged spare, the Japanese traditionally attach a low -practical recovery in the bowels of the trunk. But, on the other hand, it is in the Mazda that you can fold the sofa's sinter back directly from the trunk for this on the right and left side of special handles are provided. Karakuri system in action! So in this category there are no losers.
 
    
trunk volume 494 l
trunk volume 519 l
 
Both the six and Mondeo can be selected with a convenient body of the station wagon. These are not only stylish, but also roomy wagons with the maximum luggage volume 1751 and 1685 liters
 
 
 
 
Hatchbacks are not in vain considered practical sedanov. With folded seats in Mazda (left) and Mondeo, solid long -meters are easily placed. And the lack of a limiting arch between the salon and the trunk makes it possible to transport bulky objects
 
   
trunk volume 519 l
trunk volume 486 l
 
A huge baggage opening of both hatchbacks facilitates loading. 140 cm is almost one and a half times the diagonals of the classic sedan
 
  
trunk volume 493 l
trunk volume 510 l
 
Classic sedans from the position of carrying capacity are not the best choice. Keep in mind that all data on the volume of trunk are given for Ford (left) with a full -sized spare wheel, and for a maza with a complementary

 
225th fast
In the variety of Mondeo engines and six, it is easy to get confused. Let's try to lay out everything on the shelves. In the budget version, Japanese is clearly preferable. A fairly painful and economical 1.8-liter engine with a capacity of 120 liters. With. It goes much better than its price implies. An extra person in the stream you will not be guaranteed to feel. Due to its volume, only 1.6 liters of the 125-horsepower Mondeo engine is not so vague.
A similar picture in the optimal 2-liter range for middle-class models. In this case, the difference in power is 145 liters. With. Ford and 147 l. With. Mazda is not fundamental. It is more important that the six with this engine can be obtained both with mechanics and with a machine gun. But Mondeo with the automatic transmission implies a noticeably more expensive, but not too peppy engine of 2.3 liters.
Ford is played out, firstly, due to magnificent diesel engines that Mazda hides from buyers. But most importantly, in the dispute of the most-most engines, the in-line five from Volvo, equipped with turbocharged, an unconditional favorite. At the wheel of such a Mondeo you do not need to beg for an increase in the pedal always enough strength. At any speed and any gear. By the way, 6-speed mechanics can generally do not bother without the need to move off, turned on the third or fourth, and so you drive at the city pace. Another thing, you just want to want, and more than sufficient power will turn into excess.
Against this background, the 2.5-liter Mazda engine is not very impressive. In order not to lag behind Mondeo, the motor has to be twisted to the limit, but the white feed disappears from sight.
But the dynamics of the slowdown of both Ford and Mazda does not raise questions thanks to powerful disk mechanisms both slow down confidently, clearly and with a margin. It is curious, on a 170-horsepower six, the amplifier really enters into work with a stronger press, characteristic of emergency braking from high speeds. That is why in standard modes the pedal seems a little less sensitive.
You better not think of it?
Both Mondeo and the six are very good in terms of sled sensations. Even the basic versions of these machines will instill a love of fast turns to anyone so successfully setting up the chassis: exciting and intriguing, but at the same time safe. Say, Mazda in a quick turn is very tenacious by the arc, and outside the tire clutch, it begins to predictably slip out. So you can whistle rubber on the turn without unnecessary risk. On a dry highway, ESP is hardly useful to you so clearly and reliably leads a six in maximum modes.
Wonderfully good in turns and Ford. He has a fairly easy, but at the same time informative steering wheel and chassis, ready to instantly comply with the driver’s orders.
You can only complain about the little things. Let's say, despite the appearance of engines under the hood, neither Mondeo nor the six become even more sports and sharper. Mazda seems more tough and collected largely due to the 18-inch wheels, but by and large the character remained unchanged. But Ford suspension still allows the rolls in quick turns, and at high speed the car is subject to vertical swing.
A rare exception
But there are almost no complaints regarding comfort. Ford is especially good. The excellent sound insulation of the motor compartment and bottoms are worthy of only praise. Even traditionally noisy diesel engines under the hood of Mondeo do not rub, but rather purred. The sound of the work of gasoline motors is heard only if you twist the tachometer to the red zone. Fabulous! And the worse the suspension? It is enough to say that even on low-profile tires and discs of the 17th diameter Mondeo does not shake the soul from the driver and passengers.
 
 
The factory data promises a very decent road clearance: 165 mm in Mazda and 150 mm in Mondeo. In fact, everything is not so optimistic. As the measurements of colleagues from the magazine driving, the clearance is only 124 and 140 mm, respectively
 
 
Mazda is also not a mistake, although the opponent still did not do not go to an excellent result. Yes, compared to the previous generation model, the new six is \u200b\u200bnoticeably quieter. This is especially true for soundproofing in the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear wheeled arches. But the engines are still talkative. And if the 1.8-liter engine of the echoed voice can be forgiven the basic version of the way, then, say, the mile of a 170-horsepower motor is an unpleasant surprise deprived of sports musicality. Mazda is more loaded and on road joints a fairly hard suspension shakes on bumps. Not that it is completely unbearable, but Mondeo will be fascinating.
 
All type-top
Excellent security assessments for middle -class models become a pleasant norm.
So in this case, even the basic versions of both machines are equipped in full. Six pillows (Ford also has a knee eire-bag), seat belts and ABS are not even discussed. In addition, in Mazda, the dynamic stabilization system (ESP) is included in the mandatory equipment of the simplest 1.8-liter version. The electronic frenchment on Ford appears only in the second -level set of trend. However, as soon as Euroncap begins to award additional points for cars with a standard ESP and this, believe me, is no longer around the corner, and this psychological barrier will be passed.
 
In a column crash test without standard inflatable curtains, you can’t get an excellent assessment

The only misfire of Mazda-6 has not yet passed the males of the Euroncap crash tests. And although by and large there is no doubt in an excellent assessment, we still chop half a bballa six.
On any wallet
The budget of the future purchase depends on the performance you have chosen. And yet Mazda is more attractive. After all, even the simplest 120-horsepower six performed by Direct (from 653,000 rubles) is equipped with envy for many: from the air conditioner to cast discs.
 
      
If not for the janitor of the fifth door, it would be difficult to distinguish the hatchback of Mondeo from the sedan. The bodies of the Mazda are slightly larger

 
The optimal touring performance for a 2-liter Mazda, including Bixenon and a 2-zone climate control, costs from 784,000 rubles. For the version from the manual transmission to 823,000 rubles. With a machine gun. Finally, even the most sophisticated Mazda with a 2.5-liter engine in the lakesher version, including a leather interior, a hatch in the roof and a launch system without a key will meet 909,000 rubles.
But Ford can play a million rubles. Say, a 225-horsepower hatchback in a new sport design, including, among other things, shortened suspension springs, will pull for 1,048,900 rubles.
 
On the European market, the front panel of the most expensive version of the Mazda-6 decorates the touch display, we have a cheap gray tape recorder panel
  
 

Of course, the 1.6-liter version starts with 622 thousand, and Mondeo-2,0 can be bought for 701,900 rubles. But the problem is that, unlike the Mazda, Ford sells cars with a very modest equipment, attaching a huge list of complementary to it. As a result, equipped similarly to Mazda Mazda is a little more expensive. In addition, the Japanese offer a three -year guarantee, and the blue oval is limited to two years.
 
We decided:
No matter how we tried, we could not choose the best of worthy representatives of the middle class. The applicants are very good. Crossing from one car to another, we did not face the opposite of characters, but with a little different interpretations of the same topic. Both have a modern, convenient and roomy interior, a large trunk, excellent passive safety. And most importantly, a very convincing balance between comfort and controllability is almost ideal for today's middle -class models.
And yet it was possible to draw some conclusions. Mazda (average rating 4.5) is definitely more profitable in inexpensive trim levels, as well as in versions with automatic transmission. Mondeo (average rating is 4.5), on the contrary, seems more preferable and interesting in the upper price range. And the presence of a 225-horsepower engine unique to the democratic model only adds glamor to him.
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [07/2008]