Ford Mondeo (2016) 1.0 EcoBoost Long Term Test Review FINAL REPORT

The fifth generation Mondeo went on sale in UK showrooms at the beginning of 2015 and re-confirmed the car’s no-nonsense reputation as a comfortable, practical and hard grafting workhorse; beloved by families and fleets for over 20 years.

The latest incarnation is more upmarket looking than ever before with its supersized grille, attractive bonnet and flowing lines giving it an unmistakable road presence.

For the last three months Motor Trader has been testing the latest addition to the line-up to see how the mighty Mondeo fares with a 1.0-litre petrol Ecoboost engine.

Priced at £20,495 this model acts as the line-up’s new entry-level price point and serves as the ultimate test for Ford’s acclaimed range of EcoBoost engines tuned to squeeze more power and improved fuel efficiency from smaller units.

The three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine has already proved itself across Ford’s range of small cars from the Fiesta and B-MAX to the Focus and EcoSport; making it one of the brand’s most popular engine choices. Its biggest challenge is therefore presented by the Mondeo which weighs in at a hefty 1.5 tonnes.

On paper it impresses with a power output of 125PS, C02 emissions of just 119g/km and, a claimed combined fuel figure of 55mpg. But how does this all translate on the road?

Around town and in traffic the engine is responsive, although you do find yourself staying in low gears a little longer than normal as the car builds momentum.

It’s only really on the motorway that the engine’s size feels like a compromise. Here overtaking manoeuvres need to be planned well in advance, a move often helped by dropping from sixth to fifth gear. However, once up to motorway cruising speed the engine is remarkably capable and does not feel over-worked.

So, a mixed bag in terms of performance, but anyone buying this car will be doing so because of its pricing, low fuel consumption figures and size.

While the pricing is spot-on and the load-lugging potential excellent, the fuel consumption figures were disappointing. The best we achieved over three months of driving, with the car unladen most of the time, was a genuinely diesel challenging 48.5mpg on a steady 90 mile motorway run. However, that figure soon dipped around town giving us an average of 40.9mpg for that particular tankful.

Furthermore, with a lot of our driving being done in the urban crawl of south London commuting it’s was not unusual to average just 31mpg – a far cry from that claimed combined figure of 55mpg. Our overall average over three months was a disappointing 35.4mpg.

In generous Zetec trim our test model featured Ford’s excellent 8-inch touch screen infotainment system complete with DAB radio, voice activation and simple Bluetooth connectivity. SatNav is a £300 extra but well worth paying for as it’s one of the easiest systems we’ve ever tested. It would also be worth opting for parking sensors (a £299 dealer-fit optional extra) as the Mondeo is 90mm longer and 30mm wider than before which can make parking manoeuvres somewhat challenging.

Ultimately, this car will appeal to retail buyers who want the size and practicality of a traditional large family hatchback, rather than a crossover, all for around £20,000. For that they will certainly get a lot of car for their money. But, they will need the lightest of touches and some clear roads to achieve the fuel economy they hope for.

Month one click here

Month two click here

Video report click here