To be precise, it is a Titanium Business in the color Panther Black with 2.0 Flexifuel engine

To be precise, it is a Titanium Business in the color Panther Black with 2.0 Flexifuel engine. According to Ford specifications, the FF engine with a variable intake system a slightly higher torque than the standard 2.0 Duratec (190 vs. 185 Nm) but for performance and consumption, the manufacturer is the same.

The car rolled over on March 26 2009 by the band in the (now sadly closed) factory in Genk and was on April 16 of that year put on license in the Netherlands. Like most Mondeo began its existence as a "company car", hence the Business package which includes:
- Audio / navigation system (Blaupunkt TravelPilot NX) with 7 inch touchscreen and 8 speakers.
- A good working Bluetooth interface for hands-free calling.
- Voice control functionality also understands Dutch.
- Electrical height adjustment of the driver's seat.
- Front and rear parking sensors (PDC)

PDC is not a luxury given the size and clarity of the car.

The 7 inch touchscreen is especially beautiful in the dashboard. It saves a few buttons which makes the center stack looks calmer compared to the standard radio or the 5-inch navigation system (FX) The menu structure is clear and operation simple.

Navigation is ease of use and functionality or dated compared to modern TomTom. Disadvantage: speed and actual speed are not displayed. Advantage Travel Pilot that he is equipped with TMC. This gives fairly accurately on the map where the route there is work, delay and / or file. I have an update purchased with a card 2014 via the dealer for 79 euros.

The transition from a focus to a Mondeo went quickly. I was in my search for a replacement for the Focus II find a suitable Focus III within the available budget and started to test drive the Mondeo. He stood for a few months on sale at the local Ford dealership and was reduced to just one for me interesting price level. A Mondeo is always fully equipped, while the Focus III will encounter many "bare" models without cruise control, climate control and electric rear windows. After the test drive, I was impressed by the comfort, space and spacious feel. That drives the car well is obvious, since it is a Ford. He is what lugger than a Focus, but has a dynamic handling and the typical Ford steering that allows the car very accurately follows the steering movements. What stands out in comparison with a Focus more comfortable ride through the long wheelbase, better insulation of the engine, wind and road noise and more stable road holding thanks to its wider track. I would describe him as a Focus XL; an unpretentious car without premium aspirations. The level of finish is not on a much higher level, but you get a lot of car for your money and excellent riding characteristics. Altogether enough value for me to justify the higher operating costs.

With 145 hp car on paper seems well endowed (specific weight <10 kg per hp), but in practice the 2-liter not a very strong impression. You really need to go through a little further (beyond 3500 RPM) to achieve a smooth acceleration. On balance, the performance is sufficient. A car with a big engine (empty) weighs 1400 kg lust of course a sip extra, but consumption is not me. The trip computer records an average consumption of 8 liters per 100 km. With practice consumption of 1 liter to 12.5 km and I am not unhappy with the tank you save 800 km between fill-ups.

The car is very well equipped, the only thing I really miss in a car of this price (new price € 32k) has a height-adjustable passenger seat (the lumbar support is adjustable)

to a number of things you will notice that this is a car in 2007 came on the market; as the cruise control does not have a speed limiter and the set speed is not displayed. In addition, only the acoustic parking sensors work rather graphically despite the presence of two color displays in the dashboard.
Rental car (91,500 km)

After more than 3,500 kilometers holidays Mondeo has proven to be an ideal car for a long holiday trip. We enjoyed the spacious interior, large luggage space, ride comfort and steady handling. On Highway 130 on the counter, the engine runs around 3500 revs. The sound is nice in the background and consumption under control. On the way towards Southern France I took almost 1 in 14 in spite of file traffic and yet reasonably heavy load (not on the roof or on the tow in the luggage only) The technique did not budge. The appreciation of comfort and reliability I adjusted to the maximum score. The performance level is sufficient; even with four people and luggage, the car well in advance. On the highway through the Ardennes drags the car on cruise control at 120 km / h without slowing V up. When driving on steep cols in France you have to keep the engine revs do well not to fall silent. Over the holidays, including the tourist routes and a hard-working air conditioning, an average consumption of 7.7 l / 100 km, which is slightly more than the Focus in similar circumstances
TMC did not work in France, so we have during the holiday trip ... not benefited from the experience is that delays on routes not always too late or are reported in the Netherlands, so in practice it does not add much in relation to the traffic that you hear on the radio.
A year later (102.000 km)

Time goes fast, the Mondeo is all we have covered more than 20 thousand kilometers along again for over a year in succession and in that period. Between late November and mid-March we did on steel rims with winter tires. The set that I bought for my Focus fits under the Mondeo. Winter tires in size 205/55/16 while the recommended size for the 2-liter Mondeo 215/55/16. According to the dealer was not a problem and I also noticed little difference in terms of handling. Broader summer tires seem slightly more sensitive to ruts in the road.

During a trip to the Harz Mountains in the spring 100,000 km milestone was passed. 100,000 km turn at the Ford dealership gave no details to light and costs were better than expected; 370 Euro including MOT, change the wheels and storage of Winterset.

The average consumption according to the trip computer is already more than half a year unchanged at 8.0 liters per 100 km. That, in practice quite accurate and quite decent for a car of this size with an "old fashioned" 2 liter engine and five-speed gearbox.
Looking back on a year Mondeo driving I'm pretty happy. The car is reliable, comfortable, spacious and runs fine. In addition, operating costs are so far very cooperative. Depreciation of course not, but you know in advance ...
The powertrain might not be the most refined that was to get in 2009, but provides enough power and makes a solid / lasting impression. The same goes for the interior design and overall finish; other brands have that in terms of "look and feel" better for each other, but in practice you get the idea that it lasts a long time.
Problems have been there as a creaking driver seat was not properly attached to the rail and a navigation without GPS reception. These problems are neatly resolved under warranty. For the creaking center console, the dealer has no solution, so I have to live with it. The radio but something harder ...
2 years and 40,000 km (122.000 km)

At 120,000 km turn replaced the brake and I leave again fill the air conditioning. The system had lost about 40% of the refrigerant, so I was on time (less than 50% filling the air conditioner is not working properly and it is more likely that the compressor breaks down).

Mondeo is still doing well, there have been no problems done. In the small grief:
- The rubber strips on the sill will in time loose because you often get when your foot touches it.
- The Blaupunkt multimedia system sometimes locks up, a reset is only possible after off / turn on the ignition key.
- In 2 years 3 x low beam headlight to replace
- Rear Rear go much longer than 50,000 km with it.