The Ford Mondeo is a large family car manufactured and marketed by the American car manufacturer since 1992. For its first two generations, the Mondeo was produced using the CDW27 platform, with the third-generation model shifting to the EUCD platform. The fourth-generation models use the CD4 platform, and the fifth-generation use the C2 platform. Due to declining sales and a growing trend towards crossover SUVs over saloons and estates, Ford announced in March 2021 that it will discontinue the production of the Mondeo in Europe and Argentina with no direct successor. Production of the Mondeo ended in Europe in March 2022.
History of the Ford Mondeo
First Generation Ford Mondeo (1992–2000)
The first-generation Mondeo was introduced in November 1992, with sales beginning in March 1993. Intended as a world car, the first-generation Mondeo was significant as its design and marketing were shared between Ford USA in Dearborn and Ford of Europe. It replaced the Ford Sierra in Europe, and the Ford Telstar in a large portion of Asia and other markets, while it is also sold as the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique in North America to replace the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz. Unlike the Sierra, the Mondeo is front-wheel drive in its most common form, with a rarer four-wheel drive version available on the Mk I car only. Despite being billed as a world car, the only external items the Mondeo shared initially with the Contour built in Kansas City Assembly in Claycomo, Missouri, and Cuautitlán Assembly were the windscreen, front windows, front mirrors and door handles. Three body styles were available, which are a saloon, liftback, and estate. The mid-cycle facelift was launched in October 1996 leaving only the doors, the roof, and the rear quarter panels on the estate the same as the original model. The extensive redesign in 1996 was known as the Mondeo Mk II.
Second Generation Ford Mondeo (2001–2007)
The second-generation Mondeo was introduced in October 2000. This Mondeo was considerably larger than its predecessor, while the basic chassis and suspension design was carried over from the previous generation along with the CDW27 platform. Following the standard-setting interior of the Volkswagen Passat (B5) in 1996, Ford paid a great deal of attention to the second-generation Mondeo's interior and was the first major American manufacturer to react to the new standard set by Volkswagen. Ford abandoned its New Edge design theme for the second generation, opting to take the Prodigy concept car as a design reference. Ford dispensed with the rounded American style interior of the first generation and developed a more sober 'Germanic' design. Saloon, liftback, and estate body styles were available. This Mondeo came to Mexico, replacing the North American-built Ford Contour, and was sold from 2001 to 2007, when the Ford Fusion replaced it. The second-generation Mondeo was never sold in Australia, as Ford Australia argued that the segment of the market was in decline.
Third Generation Ford Mondeo (2007–2014)
After a brief appearance in the James Bond Casino Royale movie in 2006, Ford unveiled the fourth generation of the Mondeo in the following year. Ford built the Mondeo on the same platform as the Mazda 6/Atenza, and it was not available in the U.S., like the first generation where the Contour model filled that segment. The vehicle was available as a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback, and a station wagon. It was shown as a static display in late 2006 with the official launch in 2007. Featuring a new design language, named kinetic design, the Mondeo represented Ford's biggest car on the European market. Its front grille left the rounded sides of the trapezoidal shape from its predecessor and adopted sharper, straight lines. The Mondeo offered a roomy interior due to its long, 2.85 m (112.2 in) wheelbase. Inside the dashboard, there were two analog dials and a central TFT screen. Under the hood, Ford installed a wide choice of gasoline or diesel engines. They ranged from a mere 1.6L 115 hp turbodiesel up to a 2.0L turbocharged gasoline unit that offered 240 hp. Most versions were mated to a 6-speed manual, while a 6-speed automatic was on the options list.
Fourth Generation Ford Mondeo (2014–2022)
The fourth-generation Mondeo was unveiled by Ford at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Due to the merger of both models, the vehicle is sold as the Fusion in the Americas. With a design team based in Detroit for the planning and global launch phase, the new model takes many styling cues from the previous generation Ford Mondeo, and the previous generation American Ford Fusion. Like the newest redesigns of the Focus and Fiesta before it, the new Mondeo is set on a global platform shared with the now-identical Fusion sold in North America. The range does not include five- or six-cylinder engines, and on launch will have a complete range of Ford EcoBoost engines. Ford ceased production of the Mondeo at their Valencia Plant in March 2022 as Mondeo sales dwindled with buyers preferring crossovers and SUVs.
Fifth Generation Ford Mondeo (2022–Present)
The fifth-generation Mondeo saloon was released in China in January 2022. Ford confirmed that the model will not be marketed in Europe and North America. It is marketed in the Middle East as the Ford Taurus.
Price
For the 2022 model year, Ford Motor Company retailed the 2022 Ford Mondeo with a starting MSRP of $25,069 for the base EcoBoost 245 Fashion model, rising to $30,251 for the top-spec EcoBoost 180 Fashion variant.
Features of the Ford Mondeo
Exterior Features
The new Ford Mondeo takes a lot of its design cues from the Chinese-only Ford Evos SUV. Upfront you'll spot the wide grille flanked by some slim LED headlights connected by a full-width light bar. Looking along the sides, the door handles are flush with the bodywork, just like on a Tesla Model 3. The overall side profile isn't too different from the outgoing Mondeo – there's a sloping roof that stretches almost all the way to the edge of the boot lid.
Interior Features
There are no pictures of the Mondeo's interior, but you can use the Evos as a guide to how it might look. The China-only model's cabin has an astonishing 27-inch display screen covering virtually the entire dashboard, with only a few buttons and plenty of smart-looking materials. There's a large center console with a gear selector and some storage space, and pictures show that contrasting orange accents are found throughout the cabin – something you could see on high-spec models.
Specs and Performance of the Ford Mondeo
Engines:
- 2.0L CAF488WQC Ecoboost turbo I4
The fifth-generation Mondeo is powered by Changan Ford's CAF488WQC 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine with an output of 238 PS (175 kW; 235 hp) and 376 N⋅m (277 lb-ft) of torque, giving the car a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). The middle eastern Taurus makes 232 PS (171 kW; 229 hp) and 388 N⋅m (286 lb-ft). The Mondeo uses an 8-speed automatic transmission and is front-wheel drive. Dimension-wise, the Ford Mondeo measures 4,927 mm (194.0 in) long, 1,875 mm (73.8 in) wide, and 1,498 mm (59.0 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,930 mm (115 in) and has a curb weight of 4,356 lbs (1,976 kg).
Release Date
Ford Motor Company has been producing and marketing the Ford Mondeo since 1992, and it is currently in its fifth generation for the 2022 model year.