Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Mondeo hatchback (2006-2014) - Interior & comfort

The Mondeo is big inside, solidly built and comes packed with standard equipment. However, dated design betrays its advancing years.

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Interior & comfort Rating

3.7 out of 5

Dashboard

Open the door and take a seat in the Mondeo, and you’ll the car’s age start to show. The top of the dashboard is made from a big swathe of thick, textured plastic that’s just a little bit too soft, while the area around the centre console features shiny plastic buttons that don’t feel as upmarket or precise as those used in the VW Passat. The instruments look a little dated, too – the display between the rev counter and speedometer, for example, is rather basic and features a tall, slim font that can be hard to read. Likewise, the small sat-nav screen (if fitted) isn’t the easiest to understand and features rather clunky graphics.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Some of the buttons and switches feel a little flimsy, too. While the rotary light switch and indicator stalk are quite solid, the electric window switches are made from scratchy plastic. The same is true of the rotary selector that controls the stereo and sat-nav functions.

The driver’s seat and the steering wheel have quite a lot of adjustment, so drivers of all shapes and sizes can get their driving position spot-on. The Mondeo is also pretty easy to see out of, which makes it easier to position on the road.

Equipment

The Mondeo is well equipped, with even the most basic Edge model sporting a leather-wrapped steering wheel, air-conditioning, electric windows, a CD and MP3-compatible stereo, a Bluetooth phone connection with voice control and a Quickclear windscreen. The latter is a real bonus on winter mornings, as it has filaments running through the windscreen that heat up quickly to rapidly clear condensation.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

However, it’s worth upgrading the Zetec Business Edition, as it includes useful features such as cruise control and all-round parking sensors as standard – the latter are very useful given the car’s size. It also has a touchscreen sat nav, power-folding door mirrors, alloy wheels and a useful USB connection for portable music devices. However, we’d expect to see a DAB digital radio fitted as standard, instead of on the options list.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Next in the range is the luxurious Titanium X Business Edition. This has leather upholstery, automatic operation of the lights and wipers, a DAB digital radio and ambient cabin lighting, which gives the interior a warm red glow at night.

Sitting at the top of the range is the Titanium X Sport, which wants for nothing. It features everything the Titanium X has, plus lowered sports suspension, heated and cooled front seats, bright bi-xenon headlamps and a full-colour TFT screen in the instrument cluster.

Options

There isn’t a huge array of options for the Mondeo, and the already well equipped Titanium models offer the most scope for adding extras. Even so, you can add a DAB digital radio to the Zetec Business Edition for just £100. If you buy the estate, a dog guard is an extra £100, while self-levelling rear suspension is £300 extra on Zetec models and above. This ensures the car’s handling remains predictable even if you’re carrying a heavy load.

On the Titanium models, you can choose from a number of option packs, including the £2,050 Driver Assistance Pack, which includes a whole raft of hi-tech features, such as adaptive cruise control and suspension, lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Ford Mondeo hatchback review (2014-2022)
Ford Mondeo hatchback
In-depth reviews
8 Mar 2024

Ford Mondeo hatchback review (2014-2022)

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

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

Volvo XC90 review – understated upmarket large SUV
Volvo XC90 front quarter dynamic
In-depth reviews
25 Nov 2024

Volvo XC90 review – understated upmarket large SUV

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