Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ghia Review

Overall Rating

Spacious, as fast as practically required, comfortable, reliable, well equipped, economical, long journeys no problem.

Underpowered aircon and heating system, cheap feeling switches, rear heated screen slow to de-ice on cold mornings (front screen fine).

Bought this Ford Mondeo new when left a company and had to give back the Beamer. That was a nice car (3 series) but SOOOO small inside!! I'd previously had a Cavalier and when I'd taken the family on holiday it swallowed all the luggage. When I got the Beamer it could only take half the gear and cabin small too, all this in a car with same overall dimensions. That's what you pay for a straight engine and the rear wheel drive that BMW push so hard.
Anyway, I needed a car with more room and did some research. The new shape Mondeo had not been out long and had got good write ups. I spoke to a couple of friends who had driven them and they had nothing but praise for them.
I've now had the car for 5 years, it's been utterly reliable apart from the heated front screen failing, the seat height adjustment packing up and a couple of buttons on the radio not working. All of these were fixed under the extended warranty I purchased with the car.
It was a Dutch/Belgian? import from Trade sales in Slough (read my comments elsewhere). I've got no problems with trade sales as long as you understand what they are; high volume, quick throughput, no frills dealer. Inspect the car yourself and drive it away, no problem.
The Mondeo has never let me down, always starts in the morning and is roomy and comfortable. Everyone that has been in it has been impressed. I went for the Ghia model with the 6CD multichanger etc.
My only real criticism is with the aircon/heating. It seems underpowered, both in terms of cooling and heating the car. I often have to fiddle with it to get it blowing cold, even on warm days it can be blowing out hot air and on cold days it's slow to heat the interior. I've taken it in to Ford dealers twice and they have told me it's working correctly. It's not the end of the world, but when you've paid extra for the "climate control" on the Ghia model!!
Overall though I'm very pleased with the car and have no intention of changing it. I'll be driving from Surrey to York today and have no doubt that I'll get out of the car without feeling too uncomfotable after a 4 hour drive. It took us to the south of France last year completely packed with luggage and four people without a hiccup and will, I'm confident, be doing the same in August of this year.