This article is more than 1 year old

Mondeo Man turns into mutant electrical beauty: Ford Mondeo Hybrid

Looks like an Aston, drives better than a Prius

Not quite a ballet dancer but still stable

Ford’s efforts to tune the Mondeo Hybrid for economy rather than performance haven't done anything for the handling. Through the twisty bits the extra weight (all told the hybrid is 95kg heavier than the petrol models) and higher profile, low rolling resistance tyres make the hybrid a little less agile than the other models in the range but not to a ruinous degree.

mondeo_motor

Hybrid Mondeo uses an Atkinson-cycle petrol engine. Just like a Prius

Even when I threw my review car into a bend in a deliberately half-arsed way it tucked in and stayed true. It’s been some time since Ford made a car that didn't have class-leading handling and the Mondeo doesn't buck the trend. Even in hybrid guise you can have way more fun in a Mondeo than you can in a Prius. The ride is impressively smooth too even across ruined tarmac.

Take the Mondeo for a long run on the open road and the hybrid’s attraction drops a wee bit. Not by dint of any technical or dynamic failing but simply because you’ll probably get better mileage from a diesel. Over a week I averaged 49.4mpg, which, while not bad for a car of this size isn’t outstanding either.

mondeo_back

Even looks good from the back end

That average consumption isn't the whole story though because dedicated inner city driving and urban commuting saw it improve to over 60mpg. Now granted the Mondeo is not a city car – it really is rather a big old bus – but the impressive urban fuel consumption, excellent refinement, relaxed progress and 99g/km CO2 emissions add up to a reasonable ownership proposition in my book.

Sitting near the top of the Mondeo food chain the Mondeo Hybrid comes with plenty of bells and whistles as standard including Ford’s SYNC infotainment system which boasts impressively reliable voice recognition and Ford’s ever-useful-for-the-incompetent Active Park Assist self-parking. The 8-inch touch-screen was handily responsive to the touch too.

mondeo_cabin

Cabin is roomy, well appointed and comfortable. Job done

Wrap all that up in a comfortable, well made and spacious cabin that is nothing like as unnecessarily hi-tech as the Prius's driver environment and the end result is a car you will actually like spending time in.

The new Mondeo Hybrid is not an overly expensive proposition either. With the cheapest petrol model setting you back just over £21,000, the hybrid’s £25,295 asking price doesn't strike me as too steep. To put that into further perspective, the cheapest Titanium-spec diesel will set you back £23,295. Prius ownership meanwhile starts at £22,000.

The Reg Verdict

Refined, comfortable and very economical around town, the Mondeo Hybrid has the engineering to match its looks. On the open road a diesel Mondeo will probably save you more money but the closer you get to urban gridlock the more the hybrid model comes into its own. The fact you can only have the Hybrid in 4-door flavour will give pause to customers who want a five-door hatch or estate and I personally hope the plug-in version will make it to these shores at some point – but even as it stands, I was sorry to hand the keys back. ®

mondeo_thumb2

Mondeo Man turns into mutant electrical beauty: Ford Mondeo Hybrid

Ford's first European hybrid goes Prius hunting with a Li-ion battery and killer good looks.
Price: As tested £26,370 OTR RRP

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like