Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Ford Mondeo hybrid review (2014-2022)

“The Ford Mondeo Hybrid is showing its age next to newer rivals, which makes it hard to recommend”

Carbuyer Rating

2.7 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review

Pros

  • Affordable company-car tax
  • Comfortable ride
  • Well equipped

Cons

  • Slow CVT gearbox
  • Noisy at speed
  • Poor real-world economy

The Ford Mondeo was a default company car choice for years - many will remember the 'Mondeo Man' phrase of the 1990s. Company-car drivers loved the diesel version in particular, thanks to its low running costs, decent turn of speed and motorway manners. The Mondeo is nowhere near as popular as it once was but the hybrid version is an alternative proposition as diesel becomes less popular and is more heavily taxed.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid is available as a saloon model - not a five-door hatchback like the rest of the range - while a more practical estate version was added in 2019. It has previously been available in several different trim levels (including the posh Vignale) but, as of autumn 2021, it’s only offered in Titanium Edition spec. Like many hybrid models it has a petrol engine, in this case a 2.0-litre unit, along with an electric motor and small battery that are used to boost efficiency.

The best hybrid carsTop 10 best hybrid cars 2024

Ford has confirmed that production of the Mondeo and Mondeo Hybrid will end in March 2022, having sold the model for nearly 30 years. Buyers have moved away from the Mondeo, both to more premium models like the BMW 3 Series and SUVs like the Ford Kuga. The Mondeo’s production line is being repurposed to build the superior hybrid powertrains used in the Ford S-MAX, Galaxy and Kuga hybrids.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Recent company car tax changes have also made the Mondeo Hybrid less relevant as a fleet car. It emits 127g/km of CO2 in its most efficient form, which puts it in a middling bracket for Benefit-in-Kind liability, sitting just beneath diesel versions.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While some rivals like the Volkswagen Passat GTE and Skoda Superb iV are plug-in hybrids, the Mondeo Hybrid isn't. This means it can't be plugged in at home and driven on electric power only - you just put petrol in it, like a normal car, and the small battery is topped-up as the car drives. It means the Mondeo is efficient but can only drive very short distances using electricity alone, unlike the 30 miles-or-so a plug-in hybrid can do in electric mode.

The Mondeo Hybrid is comfortable, decent to drive and spacious, especially in Estate form. It's a decent car and quite good value but its main problem is that the world is moving on so quickly that it feels outdated. There's not really any reason to buy one when newer hybrids like the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports are better in most areas, and plug-in hybrids such as the Skoda Superb iV can offer even greater efficiency.

MPG, running costs & CO2

Ford Mondeo hybrid makes most sense as a company car

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid costs a little more than the equivalent diesel Mondeo but the current VED (tax) regime means you’ll pay £10 less in tax per year than the diesel.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

For company-car drivers, the fact the hybrid occupies the lowest BiK bands of any Mondeo should result in the biggest savings. The Hybrid sits in the middle of the BiK tax bandings with the cheapest diesel sitting towards the top of the bandings. You’ll still pay around twice as much tax as you would for a plug-in hybrid estate car like the Skoda Octavia iV.

Ford claims the Mondeo Hybrid is capable of up to 50.4mpg on average (49.6mpg for the estate), but our experience with the car was nearer 43mpg on mainly urban roads, which is about what you’d expect from a diesel Mondeo. With a smaller 1.8-litre petrol engine and more effective hybrid setup, the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports can manage up to 63mpg.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With CO2 emissions from 127g/km, the Mondeo Hybrid also falls outside the sub-75g/km exemption for low-emissions vehicles set by the London Congestion Charge and is unlikely to gain free access to other low-emissions zones, unlike some plug-in hybrid rivals. The Skoda Superb iV emits just 23g/km of CO2.

Engines, drive & performance

Quiet at low speeds, noisy on motorways

The Mondeo Hybrid has a 2.0-litre, non-turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor, which combine to produce 186bhp. However, this is a heavy car, and it rarely feels like it has that amount of power. Unlike other automatic Mondeos, which have a more conventional dual-clutch automatic gearbox, the hybrid uses a CVT unit which doesn't feel as effective as the latest technology from Toyota and Lexus.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Mondeo's electric motor can power the car at up to 85mph, as long as you’re gentle with the accelerator pedal, and even when the engine cuts in, it does so almost imperceptibly. The trouble comes when you attempt anything more than moderate acceleration, as the CVT gearbox is slow to respond, feels like it saps power, and worse, leaves the engine droning loudly, which completely ruins the Mondeo’s refinement. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 9.2 seconds but the gearbox means the car never feels quick.

The problem is made more pronounced because the Mondeo offers an otherwise smooth and quiet driving experience, so this additional noise really stands out. Once up to speed, the Mondeo is at least a competent motorway cruiser.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The latest Mondeo lacks much of the driver engagement that set previous Mondeos apart. Both the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class are better in this regard, although the Mondeo’s tall tyres allow for a smoother ride more akin to the Mercedes.

Interior & comfort

Upmarket feel, and just as comfortable as the standard car

That softer ride allows the Mondeo hybrid to be a little more comfortable than the standard car, provided you can put up with the additional noise at speed.

The general look and feel is quite upmarket but conservative. It's starting to feel its age now, having first been launched in 2014. The controls are sensibly laid out and both the Titanium Edition and Vignale models have clear TFT screens that replace the car’s analogue dials. It also packs Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system as standard but this can't compete with the infotainment setups found in newer models like the Skoda Superb.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Titanium Edition includes leather seats, which are heated in the front and come with power adjustment, plus keyless entry, sat nav, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and Ford’s Quickclear heated windscreen.

The seats are comfortable, and if you choose the more upmarket Vignale trim, they are covered in sumptuous quilted leather. You’ll also get LED adaptive headlights, a hands-free powered tailgate, ambient lighting and a Sony infotainment system.

Practicality & boot space

Good interior space, but saloon bodystyle brings with it a smaller boot

As far as passengers are concerned, the Mondeo hybrid is perfectly spacious. Room in the front is at least on par with its rivals, and there’s space in the back for two adults to sit comfortably – three at a pinch.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s a good amount of storage space too: the glovebox is of a decent size; there are a pair of cupholders up front and a tray behind the gearstick. However, despite being from the class below, the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports can carry more luggage.

The saloon model has a 383-litre boot, which is 133 litres smaller than other Mondeo saloons because of intrusion from the battery pack.

UK buyers are more likely to favour the hybrid Mondeo in estate form, with a more practical hatchback and low loading lip, along with 403 litres of boot space. However, this is still on the small side for a family estate and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports offers up to 598 litres behind its rear seats.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid will hold limited appeal for anyone looking to tow a trailer or caravan. Its hybrid setup results in a 750kg maximum capacity, which is far lower than the 2,000kg of the diesel Mondeo. 
 

Reliability & safety

Emergency autonomous braking is fitted as standard

While it’s hard to know just how reliable the Mondeo’s hybrid system is – such a small number of them are sold in the UK each year – the standard Mondeo isn’t proving to be exceptionally robust.

In our 2017 Driver Power survey, the standard Mondeo was rated poorly, and 12.7% of owners who responded said they’d had at least one problem – chiefly engine and electrical faults. The Mondeo didn't appear in our 2021 results, but Ford came 25th overall out of 29 manufacturers.

Things are better on the safety front, as the Mondeo scored a full five star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing. It's worth noting this was back in 2014, however, so rivals that have achieved five stars more recently are likely to be even safer.

Inflatable rear seat belts are an innovation that are available on the options list, while a lane keeping aid and traffic sign recognition are standard. Ford’s Active City Stop emergency autonomous braking system is also standard, improving the Mondeo Hybrid’s safety credentials but active cruise control is a pricey option, as it comes as part of a Driver Assistance Pack.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Toyota RAV4 review – a sensible hybrid SUV with a long warranty
Toyota RAV4 review
In-depth reviews
18 Nov 2024

Toyota RAV4 review – a sensible hybrid SUV with a long warranty

Renault Rafale review – a practical coupe-SUV that punches upwards
2024 Renault Rafale 300 front quarter
In-depth reviews
18 Nov 2024

Renault Rafale review – a practical coupe-SUV that punches upwards

Top 10 best small SUVs 2024
Best small SUVs
Best cars
13 Nov 2024

Top 10 best small SUVs 2024

New Suzuki Vitara gets a minor makeover for its 10th birthday
2025 Suzuki Vitara front quarter
News
8 Nov 2024

New Suzuki Vitara gets a minor makeover for its 10th birthday

Most Popular

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door
BMW M235 Gran Coupe front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
29 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof
Audi SQ5 Sportback front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof

More on Mondeo hybrid

New Ford Mondeo 2019: price, specification and release date
News
18 Jan 2019

New Ford Mondeo 2019: price, specification and release date

Facelifted Ford Mondeo reveals a new diesel engine and Hybrid Estate version
Ford Mondeo: now £2,500 cheaper and better equipped
News
18 Sep 2017

Ford Mondeo: now £2,500 cheaper and better equipped

Up to £3,000 has been cut from the Ford Mondeo as the range is simplified and made more desirable

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024