From the outside, there’s a confidence of form to this Mondeo Estate that hints at, in MotorMartin’s eyes, a lost Aston Martin, it’s superb chrome lined front grille, deep front spoiler and subtle chrome highlights looking absolutely stunning in any light.
Moving around the muscular front wheel arches and taking in the strong crease running along the car’s high waist allows you to drink in the premium look and feel of this handsome estate. 18″ 10 x 2-spoke alloy wheels add a hint of sportiness to the mix as does the rear privacy glass and chrome surround to the windows whilst the roof rails of the Estate edition finish off the look with some panache.
Once inside your eyes are immediately drawn to the integration of the pin sharp 8″ touchscreen with the rest of the centre console. Quality leather seats are infinitely adjustable, as well as being heated, and provide the driver and passengers with a very comfortable place to spend their time.
With the Mondeo on test being the bang on trend Hybrid edition, Ford have provided the driver with a 10″ colour TFT cluster display allowing you to monitor every aspect of the future proof drivetrain as you strive to for maximum efficiency. Completing the interior and raising it to a standard worthy of the Titanium nameplate are bright-finish front door scuff plates, multi-colour LED ambient lighting, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and MotorMartin’s personal favourite, the ‘Ford Power’ starter and Keyless entry system.
But let us address the elephant in the room, that very clever hybrid petrol engine and see why it’s possibly the ideal halfway house for those worried about the transition to a full on BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle.) Doing away with any hint of range anxiety, the Mondeo Hybrid has two sources of power which it automatically switches between depending on the external road conditions and the heaviness of your own right foot. Increases in technology and usability allow for a conventional petrol only driving mode, a pure electric mode (for short distances) or the use of both together to power the vehicle as needed. Not only that but a hybrid engine recharges the battery used in two ways, regenerative braking capturing typically wasted energy to create electricity, which charges the battery and the conventional engine itself powers the generator to generate electricity and again, charge the battery. The best bit though is that all of this happens without any decision making or input from the driver. Perfect.
Now let’s run through a few figures. The 2.0 TiVCT engine delivers an impressive 185bhp which, when combined with maximum torque of 128 ft/lb torque means that the Mondeo has more than enough power to deliver both people and goods swiftly and trouble free. What’s more, you benefit from up to 50.4mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of just 103g/km, allowing preferential rates of vehicle tax over a purely petrol engine. Figures that would have been impossible to achieve in such a luxurious, petrol estate only a few short years ago.
What we have then with this Hybrid Titanium Mondeo estate is an extremely handsome mile muncher with the typical estate benefits of a cavernous boot (633 litres with the rear seats up and 1508 litres with the seats down) excellent interior space for driver and passengers alike, all the driving aids and tech that you could possibly need and, because of the efficient nature of the car’s clever power terrain, you’ll also notice a difference in your wallet.
A job well done and a price starting at only £29,830.