Review
That’s certainly true of the Mondeo, with 52% of buyers having selected the higher-grade Ghia/Titanium/Titanium X trims. Higher spec means bigger profits for dealers, says Ford.
The range-topping Titanium X, on test here in estate form, is described by Ford as having ‘modern techno’ exterior design and higher levels of technology. Key selling attractions include: starter button, halogen adaptive front lighting, blue tinted glass and the Ford Convers+ instrument cluster. It also features full Alcantara/leather trim.
The estate will account for around a quarter of Mondeo’s 50,000 sales this year. The 2.5-litre engine turns the load lugger into a sporty flier (0-62mph in 7.3secs), but isn’t the most practical engine, returning 30.4mpg compared to the 1.8TDCi’s 47.9mpg.
Neat options on the estate include a sliding load floor with a maximum load capacity of 200kg. Boot space is good, though not class leading. Rear seats up for 940 litres to the roof, down for 1,745 litres, an increase of 45 over the old Mondeo estate.
Ford believes the improvement in quality will lift residual values. Residual value tracking for 07-plate Mondeo is a healthy 76% after 5,500 miles, says BCA.
Three-year/30,000 figures for the Titanium X estate on Cap are 32%, more than five points higher than closest rival Vectra 2.8T and just behind the X-Type 2.5’s 35%.
But it fades against the sector leaders – VW Passat 3.2 on 38%, Honda Accord 2.4 on 40% and V70 2.5T on 51%.
Mondeo estate will retain its popularity among buyers, bring in greater profits for dealers and deliver a slight uplift in residuals. It remains the leader in the volume sector and now runs some of the premium models close.
Price: £24,195 (Titanium X)
Engine: 2.5-litre 217bhp
Transmission: six-speed manual
Performance: 0-60mph 7.3s; 152mph top speed
Efficiency: 30.4mpg; 222g/km CO2
CAP RV: 32%
Rivals: Vauxhall Vectra, VW Passat, Peugeot 407 SW, Jaguar X-Type, Honda Accord
Factsheet
No information available.
