Test drive Ford Mondeo sedan since 2007 sedan

Joke

Remember, as in that joke: once a German, an American and an Englishman met. Further, improvisations were possible. So we got almost an anecdote: Frenchman, Japanese, puppy and well, say, the Middle European.
 
Using the exclusion method, you can easily understand that the average European, I called Ford Mondeo. Whereas the nationality of the other three participants in the test does not cause doubts, Mondeo is not so simple. Ford originally American. M most part of Mondeo is produced at the factory in the Belgian Genka. And the headquarters of the Ford of Europe (and Mondeo is primarily aimed at the Old World) is in the German Cologne. Given all of the above, I propose to consider Mondeo a German at the time of reading this article. Moreover, as it turned out as a result of this test, in its habits this sedan is closest to cars from Germany.
For our test, we have chosen four class D sedans in top trim levels. Two of them (Honda Accord and Citroen C5) appeared on the Russian market relatively recently. In rivals to beginners, we took the most popular Ford Mondeo and the proven VOLVO S60 veteran. All cars are front -wheel drive, with the exception of Volvo, 2.5T modification is available only with AWD all -wheel drive. But engines for every taste. Honda has an atmospheric 2.4 liter four, in Citroen V6, also without a boost. Well, Volvo and Ford are equipped with a corporate in -line five with a turbine. But, despite the variety of designs, the delta in maximum power was only 19 hp. From 190 forces at the chord to 220 TU at Mondeo.
 
If the theater begins with a hanger, then the car from the sound with which the doors open and close. Citroen here is out of competition. The doors are slammed, with permission to say. To match the monumental appearance. The Volvo massive gate is also not far behind. One bad hand here is not for a natural grip. But the doors of Accord and Mondeo pumped up a feeling that a small brownie settled inside, or rather machine, which knocks on a canbone. By the way, already by the sound of a closing door, one can judge the overall sound insulation of the car, which was confirmed during the test. Design assessment is a subjective thing. That the shoemaker is good for the tailor is bad. But the fact that Honda and Citroen are fresh and therefore more interesting, it is pointless to dispute. In addition, Accord looks very dynamic. The characteristic arrow of the silhouette, which he inherited from the model of the previous generation, likes it.
And Citroen, traditionally for the French, is unusual. Here is the original front end with huge headlights and a double chevron in its entire width, and a concave rear window, and chubby sides. Crazes. The Ford design, which seemed almost a year ago almost avant -garde, has become confused today and is no longer a revelation. In addition, he is not able to hide the size of the segment of the segment D, even in white. However, Mondeo looks quite elegant.
Well, Volvo is Volvo. A classic for conservatives, which in our case is diluted with a magnificent aerodynamic body kit and beautiful wheels. It turned out sports!
The classic mood also supports the interior of the Swede. The dashboard, with soft greenish backlight and metallized scales, looks and reads perfectly. The thick bagel of the steering wheel is pleasantly in his hands. The central console with a scattering of numerous buttons hello from the past. What are only analogue twists of frequencies on the radio (not recognizing, by the way, the MP3 format). But it does not become less convenient from this, and a man of distribution of air flows is an unsurpassed find. S60 salon is the highest quality and cozy. In a soft, high chair you feel like a fireplace at home. And even ready to forget about the lack of side support. Peace and peace. That's just crowded. Especially behind. A person will be uncomfortable there with growth above the average.
Mondeo is easier. Silver plastic panels least of all resemble aluminum, which they are designed to imitate, and when pressed they breathe completely, they can even cry. The devices are similar to toy, and the HMI color display between them did not seem particularly useful to me. Now, if there was navigation on it. Not in German? But then the intelligence is finished with good soft plastic dark blue, and the leather steering wheel is almost optimal cross -section. In the same color scheme, seats with combined upholstery are also made. The side rollers are developed both on the pillow and on the back, but still there is not enough support for the shoulders. But what Ford leads unconditionally is in the reserve of space for the rear passengers though throwing your foot on your leg. No wonder, because Mondeo has the longest wheelbase in our quartet 2850 mm.
The interior of C5 with a claim. A fixed steering wheel hub, separate adjustment of the direction of air flows for the driver and passenger, a miracle of tidy with interesting graphics, an elegant lever of a machine gun with a winding groove, and most importantly gorgeous seats, the best of the whole four. They are quite tough and are low, which is uncharacteristic for the French. The chip for hunchbacked passengers is leaning over the upper back. This helps to perfectly adjust the chair on almost any figure. The quality of the materials and the adjustment of the panels made a huge jump forward compared to the past C5. There are plenty of place. Citroen, by the way, is also a degree. Its base is only 35 mm shorter than Mondeo. But, nevertheless, the back is tangibly more closely.
I sit in Honda and find myself in a spaceship. A small three -spoke leather steering wheel with a drowned hub, like a helm. And behind him, the blades of the manual mode of the machine gun. A frank hint of sports! Devices with silver rings invitingly glow red. But I almost do not see them the rim of the steering wheel in the lower position is overlapped by a speedometer from 60 to 220 km/h and the entire working area of \u200b\u200bthe tachometer. The central panel will go on like wings. The interior of Accord is as sharp as its appearance. It is felt that they chopped one with an ax, and then they worked as a same chisel and shot chamfers with a shirt. Everything would be fine, but Honda is behind the quality. A lot of hard plastic, and this silver woman is not good at all. For a car with a mileage of about 7000 km, the cabin looked too shabby, and the chairs constantly pushed into the back much higher than the lower back.
Honda appearance corresponds to the content. The rapid, pointed appearance eloquently speaks of the sports character of the car. On the one hand, this is good. The steering wheel Accord is the most transparent and with the largest, but adequately increasing effort. Acceleration, despite the weakest 201 strong motor, is hot blood. The automatic machine provides the fastest switching, but sins by the fact that sometimes it holds high speeds for too long, and you can only force it to switch up manually. On a flat road, the suspension perfectly fulfills its task for the sedan almost without rolls in a turn, stands well on the arc, demonstrating a small but rather sharp, demolition that is easily adjusted to the discharge of gas and the ruff of the steering wheel.
From the whole four, Accord demonstrates the sharp controllability. But the reckoning for this occurs as soon as the perfect coating ends. Even a hit on the marking line is perfectly felt, not to mention the more serious bumps that abound in our roads. It shakes that the liver with the spleen periodically changes places. The rut has constant jerking of the steering wheel. You have to catch the car. I didn’t like the flooring of gas: to squeeze it to the kick of Down, you need to almost put it on the floor. It is inconvenient, especially if the size of the leg is small. There is a small claim to the brakes. After a free passage, the worker begins too sharply. This is especially annoying in traffic jams at low speed. When braking from high speeds, there are no problems, slowdown is easy to dose on the threshold of the operation of the ABS.
Volvo is the opposite of Honda. Soft, calm car. Adaptive Four C in Comfort mode (by the way, the level of stiffness of shock absorbers for a comfortable mode can be set through the on -board computer menu) sways passengers on the waves of asphalt, creating a peaceful mood. There is silence in the cabin, noise insulation is one of the best in the classroom. And suddenly a bang!. But there was no serious pit. We are already familiar with this feature of Volvo suspension. Sharp irregularities are given to the suspension and steering. Over time, you even stop paying attention. But still unpleasant. Disappointed steering is indifferent to the information is not rich. In sports mode (which is turned on the key on the central console), the Four from the rolls and the clinks are noticeably reduced, but still the S60 remains a very comfortable car. At the same time, 210 forces are paired with a five -speed automatic machine quickly and smoothly accelerate the car, under the muffled odd engine, and all -wheel drive significantly increases stability, especially on a slippery road.
Citroen has 5 hp. More, besides, it has a V-shaped six. The only plus of the motor is beautiful baritone, barely breaking through excellent sound insulation. But at acceleration C5 loses to rivals. The fault of this is a large mass and a lazy automatic machine - even in a sports mode. But he does his work smoothly, almost imperceptibly. With the hydropneumatic suspension Hydractive 3+ Citroen, the most comfortable car of all presented on these pages. But there is no free cakes, as is not the case, so when driving in the default mode, some kind of suspension is constantly felt. Something below seems to live his life, however, well copeing with the main task of not shaking.
 
In Sport mode, the suspension becomes more collected and elastic, but the feeling of disunity does not leave the car. However, this does not mean that at the wheel of C5 it is forbidden to famously roll into turns. It is possible, but the low level of feedback on the steering wheel interferes with the touch, and, again, the mass. And there are dull blows on irregularities. All the same, exercises in the style of the racing ring are not for this car. This also proves the stabilization system, which is not closed at speed above 50 km/h. But the brakes of C5 are magnificent: they stop the car quickly, and allow you to accurately dose the effort. Citroen trucker. It is ideal to rush over long distances.
Mondeo seemed the most balanced. The least synthetic car of four, alive. Of course, this is the merit of a manual gearbox and a powerful 220 strong engine (this is a modification of the Volvo five -cylinder motor). But, in fairness, it is worth saying that the adhesion pedals and the gearbox lever for Ford are big. But the lever runs out of the programs clearly, and you get used to clutch quickly. But the point is not even a pair of engine pen. The character of Mondeo is determined by a compromise suspension and a steering wheel, which, with less effort than that of Accord, tells the driver no less information. And the suspension compromise lies in the fact that even on 18 wheels it allows you to rush through those pits where Citroen and Volvo would have been rushed to a bit, and Accord would simply have shook the soul from its own passengers.
Of course, Ford reacts to the rut and joints of the roadway, but does it much smoother. And in the turns, Mondeo behaves azartly, significantly stinging the rear axle. With the stabilization system disconnected, a small demolition follows first, and then easily controlled sliding with all four wheels. The general sensation of the noise at high speed spoils a little (remember the conversation about the doors at the very beginning?). And the engine's voice is heard more distinctly here than on Volvo. But with this character, it is even in a suit.
Now, perhaps, we told the joke to the end. Like the overwhelming number of such stories, he may have not been very funny, but fair and topical. The cars are actually different, and it seems to us that with the right choice, any of them can become a reflection of the character and values \u200b\u200bof their owner. Everyone will determine for himself, which is preferable: the stiffness and pronounced sports of the Japanese Accord, the Home Swedish Volvo, the original appearance and the French sophistication of Citroen or the German balance and the lowest price of Mondeo. Well, those who cannot live without specifics and numbers, we send to get acquainted with our estimates.
Dmitry Krotov

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A source: Motor magazine [December 2008]