Ford Mondeo hatchback (2006-2014) - Practicality & boot space

Interior space and storage

The Mondeo is nearly 4.8 metres long and 1.9 metres wide. The width in particular takes some getting used to, although visibility is pretty good, so most drivers won’t take too long to get comfortable. Plus, Zetec models and above have front and rear parking sensors. As well as ensuring good visibility, the big windows help to make the Mondeo’s interior feel bright and airy – more so than the Vauxhall Insignia. And while the Mondeo’s size counts against it when you’re trying to squeeze it into a tight parking space, the upside is that interior space is very generous.

In the front, there’s lots of room for the driver and passenger, who sit in very comfortable, supportive seats and have plenty of head and shoulder room. The glovebox is a decent size, although its lid feels a bit cheap, and there’s space for lots of items in a large box located between the seats and in the door pockets.

In the back, there’s a split-folding 60:40 rear seat, which is also very comfortable to sit on. Plentiful head, leg and shoulder room, means you can realistically entertain the thought of a long journey with five tall adults on board – particularly if you buy the estate. The Mondeo is available with tinted rear windows and sun blinds built into the rear doors, which is helpful if you have small children.

Boot space

There’s plenty of space in the boot, too. With its rear seats in place, the Mondeo hatchback has more boot space than its main rival, the Vauxhall Insignia. But although its 528-litre capacity is very generous, it’s still less than what the Skoda Superb can hold.

Once the Mondeo’s standard split-folding rear seats are folded down, however, that expands to a truly massive 1,448 litres – accessible through a large hatchback opening to make loading and unloading big, bulky items even easier. If you need even more space, total luggage space in the Mondeo estate is a huge 1,728 litres. The estate has a low loading lip, too, meaning you don’t have to strain hard to lift a heavy object up and into the boot.

Towing

If you plan to tow with the Mondeo, the maximum weight varies depending on what engine and gearbox are fitted. The entry-level petrol can only manage up to 900kg, while the larger diesels can pull a full 2,000kg. The 138bhp diesel can tow up to 1,600kg if fitted with a manual gearbox, while the automatic version increases that to 1,800kg.