In any case today I'm talking about the Ford Mondeo and please don't click off or go to sleep because I have a point that needs making.
I'm starting with performance. The car I've seen is the 2.2 tdci Zetec. In other words a high spec 2.2 litre diesel engine. In terms of power you're going to be looking at 172bhp which is good enough to get this four door saloon car to 60 in just over eight seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph. This is not bad at all, you'll not find many members of the 40mph club getting in your way for too long. This is important when driving on the road.
What is also important is how the thing corners. Fords are famous these days for being very good in the twists. The best bit is that when you turn into a corner it doesn't just turn in. You can feel what's going on through the steering wheel which in turn gives you all the confidence you need to fully extract all the performance. Seal of approval, sealed.
Looks are also essential. The current Mondy is very attractive. I looked at one the other day from the side and I have to say it reminded me of a Jag XF. I can't quite think why but I liked the high rear end, I liked the slightly flared wheel arches, I liked the shaping of the headlights, I liked the door crease (thanks Chris Bangle) and the outline in general. In not too many words, it's a very attractive machine.
The interior is pleasant. Solid and well thought out and quite attractive. Is it luxurious? No, I wish I could say otherwise but the interior is more a get the job done type of affair rather than I look at me vanity project. There is one thing that does irk me. It has been scientifically proven through many experiments that people who's faces show signs of symmetry are more attractive, that's a fact. So I don't get why the rev counter isn't the same shape as the speedometre. It's something I see too often in American designs but then again it is a small point.
Boring warning. The economy is very impressive. 45mpg is the official combined figure. My Fiesta couldn't get close to that and it only had 65bhp, this has nearly three times that. It's also very practical but I'm not selling my soul to the devil and going into official figures on that. The only way I'll write them in a review is if I get a job on a motoring mag.
Now as you've read this car does it all except for show off. Which is a good thing unless you're an ass! As such you'd probably expect to pay quite a lot of money for it. You don't of course. Brand new prices range from £17,000 to just under £30,000 and used from £5,000 to just under £20,000. Not bad at all.
Is this car recommendable? Yes, very much so and I'm not the first one to say it and I bet any money I won't be the last. The thing is no one ever seems to listen. You see Mondeos have never seemed to sell well. I like to rhyme. I find it very odd to be honest with you. Maybe upon reading this you'll be inspired to change this.
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