Faults:

Ashtray doesn't stay shut.

Lumpy engine at certain revs (Fixed by dealer).

One-touch electric window and global opening / closing function stopped working. (Fixed by dealer)

General Comments:

I bought this car as a replacement for my 2007 (previous shape) Mondeo of the same spec, and it's a worthy replacement. It's better than the previous car in most respects, but not by as much as one might think, given the 7 year age difference in the original designs.

Interior space is fantastic, both front and rear, and the seats are very comfortable.

The boot is massive, although the bag hooks are too small and too high up to be useful.

Equipment levels are very good, although this model lacks the air-conditioned seats of the previous model.

The design of the dashboard is nice to look at, but has some serious usability flaws. All the buttons and switches are silver, and are labelled in grey, which makes them difficult to read whilst stationary, and impossible to read whilst driving.

The instrument binnacle on the Titanium X features a large, colour LCD display for the on board computer and audio, which again, looks snazzy, but is horrible to use. The default setting for this screen is for 60% of it to show you that you're listening the the radio (or CD), another 30% shows a diagram of the vehicle, and any useful info is crammed into the remaining 10%. To change any of the computer settings, you have to navigate through many layers of menus, and after a few seconds the screen always defaults back to showing you what you're listening too. Apparently Ford have released software to rectify some of the usability issues, but my local dealer refuses to install it in my car.

Another consequence of the large LCD display in the middle of the dash is that the rev counter is shoved out of eye-line, and rendered almost useless.

The car handles well, and has good grip, but the steering is lighter and perhaps less satisfying for keen drivers.

The engine is generally very strong, pulling well from about 1,700 RPM. It doesn't have as strong a mid-range as the previous model, but the power comes in more smoothly and stays with you beyond 3,000 RPM.

Rear privacy glass is effective in terms of making it impossible for people outside the car to see what's in the back, but the side-effect is that it makes the cabin very gloomy in the rear, and you can't see out of the back windows at night, which is a pain when parking.

Faults:

Battery failure at 7000 km.

General Comments:

Car is very comfortable and spacious. Hatchback bootspace is huge and very practical.

Handling is superb, and its really a driver's car with good body control over curvy roads.

Both the normal modes and the comfort modes provide discernible differences in terms of cushioning. Very good cruiser as well on highways.

Looks wise it's one of the best looking in the large family car segment.

Faults:

No faults developed as yet.

General Comments:

When I was deciding which car to buy to replace my beloved Vauxhall Omega, I considered the VW Passat SE and new Vauxhall Vectra "Design" estate to be very strong contenders. However, when I discovered that I could order the new Mondeo Titanium (with more onboard spec than the cars mentioned above) at a slightly cheaper online price, my mind was made up.

I had visited a Ford dealer beforehand to look over the Mondeo, and I was instantly struck by it's size. Having owned Omegas for several years, I had become used to large cars and the new Mondeo is actually the same size as an Omega saloon (well OK, approx 3cm shorter). The cabin space is ample, leg room is also generous at both front and rear. Lots of useful gadgets including anti-dazzle rear view mirror and one superb little feature that automatically switches the wipers to intermittent mode if you stop at traffic lights etc in the rain.

My car was delivered to me on January 17th this year and I am just as delighted with it now as I was on that day. A real pleasure to drive, with the smooth 6 speed auto gearbox making things just that little bit sweeter.

My one and only small gripe is the design of the alloy wheels. They are shaped in a way that protrudes from the wheel just above the tyre, so they are only too easy to catch on the curb, as I have discovered.

All in all, this is a superb motor. I am delighted with it and it's a real credit to Ford Motor Company.

Faults:

Too new to report.

General Comments:

Wow, what a car this New Mondeo is.

Far superior to the older model.

The leatherette trim is fab.

The engine is smooth and not racy as before.

This will now compete with the likes of BMW & Audi etc.