The New Ford Mondo: A Disappointing Experience
As we sat down to test the new Ford Mondo, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. The Americans have had this car for three years, and it's clear that they've tried to make it appeal to everyone. While the styling is certainly handsome, with a big grill and stripes down the body, it's not quite what I expected.
The front of the car is where things start to get interesting. I was really surprised by how much I liked the design here. The big grill and slender lights are a great combination, and it's 10% better in terms of drag over the old M. It's a small thing, but it shows that Ford has been paying attention to details.
But as we moved further back on the car, things started to get a bit more disappointing. The high-sided slab of metal in the rear is certainly... noticeable. I'm not sure about it myself - it looks a bit too much like something out of a sci-fi movie. Still, I suppose it's a necessary compromise for making the car more practical.
One thing that did surprise me was how much room there is in the boot. We're talking three tiffs' worth of space here, which is incredibly generous. It's one of those things that makes you wonder just how much Ford has been trying to cram into this car. And yet, despite all this extra space, the Mondo still manages to feel rather... soft.
I think this is where things start to get a bit too comfortable for my taste. The interior is certainly well-appointed, with loads of buttons and controls on the dashboard. But it's also a bit too straightforward - I'm not sure there's enough going on here to really engage the driver. And yet, at the same time, everything feels so... sensible. It's like Ford has decided that this car is just for people who want to drive without getting too excited.
Of course, one of the main reasons we're testing this car is because it has a new cabin filtration system called cilra. Apparently, Ford spent eight years developing this thing, and they claim it can filter out all sorts of annoying smells like burning or smoke. We took it for a spin to see if it actually worked.
The results were... underwhelming. As we drove along, I could start to pick up on the smell of smoke again. It was faint at first, but as we got closer to the end of our test route, it became clear that this thing wasn't going to cut it. Apparently, Ford's filter doesn't quite work as well as they claimed. Well, at least they're trying.
As we finished up our test drive and headed back to the office, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed all over again. The Mondo is certainly a nice car - if a bit too safe and boring for my taste. And yet, despite all its flaws, it still manages to feel... grown-up. It's like Ford has decided that this car is just for people who want to drive without getting too excited.
I think what really gets me about the Mondo is how much it's lost its sense of fun in the process of trying to appeal to everyone. When I first heard about this car, I was excited - I thought it would be a great opportunity for Ford to get back into the game after their last few years of struggles. But now that I've seen it for myself, I'm not so sure.
One thing's for sure - if you're looking for a fun car to drive, the Mondo is not going to cut it. It's far too comfortable and safe, with none of the thrills and spills that make driving really exciting. And yet, at the same time, it's still a great car in its own right - if you want something practical and reliable without any of the fuss.
So what's the verdict? Well, I'm afraid we're going to have to give the Mondo a score of seven out of ten. It's not quite what I expected, but at least it shows that Ford is still trying to put out quality cars. And if you're in the market for something practical and reliable without all the fuss, then the Mondo might be just the ticket.
But for me? I'm afraid I'll have to look elsewhere. The Mondo's lack of fun and excitement has left a sour taste in my mouth, and I'm not sure I want to get back behind the wheel anytime soon.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: entoday the team tested the new Ford Mondo Ford claim their new Mondo combines cuttingedge styling with meticulous craftsmanship and state-of-the-art Technologies prices start at £20,000 with a wide range of diesel and petrol engines including a tiny 1 L Turbo the car we're testing is the 1.5 EcoBoost titanium well well well if it isn't the new Ford mono a handsome looking beast but brand new no this is what upsets me the Americans have had this for three years three years bit of a weird one this you said it was good looking yeah handsome looking Beast I was a bit disappointed with a big high sided slab you stand back look stand back a b look I'm not sure about that but then around the front I was really surprised and loved it the big grill the stripes down the body I love those front slender lights it's 10% better in terms of drag over the old M they recessed the badge I bet that's good for drag it's lovely anyway the boot so so you're prompting the boot now I have statistics about the boots who W massive three tiffs worth at least three tiffs this hatchback has got more room in the boot with the seats up than the estate with its seats up that's incredible yeah you're really boring me now is how much how much more come on 50 c c oh the lights went on inside the dash is Simple and Clean and mature it is mature mature the interior for me was another mix almost like the exterior sort of plain and then it's FY you know what I mean loads of buts on the feels quite sensible not boring if I put my seat belt on it looks a little bit unconventional ooh uncon still seat belts fora developed an inflatable seat belt system and if we have a massive accident which we won't this will fire out and expand about five times the size of what it is the poor kid in the middle hasn't got one though that's why you're not supposed to have three kids how many children do you have Tiff three Ford spent eight years developing a new cabin filtration system cilra I think someone's got a bit of an obsession with trying to stop people from Ever sneezing while they're driving because sneezing can be dangerous I'm a he plug I used to it is a problem I've got an idea to test the amazing 8year development of the cavern filter okay so you guys go out for a drive I'm going to go and prepare something enjoy your drive one of the reasons why I've always liked them on day is because they drive so nicely so with this one we went out onto the track to see if it's still good to drive straight away it doesn't quite feel like that shark car there's quite a lot of body roll what have we lost we've lost the hydraulic steering we've now got an electric steering assist why do manufacturers do that to save another milliliter of fuel change direction lazy lazy no Vick oh don't I'm slightly heartbroken well this is what happens when you breed a car in America Ford want the m to appeal to everybody and in appealing to everybody it's sort of lost its appeal to those who enjoy driving and who like a bit of a sporty feel no it's not the fun Factor it used to be then we came off track for Johnny's experiments with science oh look out Johnny's Landing us where is he taking us now love him he's never been scientific in his life Ford have said that it's got an amazing filter that filters out all smells and smoke so of course we had to test it can you smell anything Johnny I can smell burning you can't I can I can can you not smell that oh no oh now Johnny there's been a definite change of smell that's what a multi story car park stairway smells like no I don't like it I don't like it oh outside it's a lot more intense the smell sadly for Ford it didn't quite exclude everything Johnny fired at us shame really so the new Mondo feels more grown up and has a massive boot but in an attempt to satisfy a global market is a lot less rewarding to drive than the previous model I really like its looks sadly the Driving Experience doesn't live up to those looks um I'm going to give it a seven I feel like we've been robbed of three years it would have been an eight out of 10 but it's actually a seven the new Mondo has grown a bit soft which is a bit sad so it only gets six which gives the Mondo a team test score of 20 out of 30 and the race is on and he's getting awaytoday the team tested the new Ford Mondo Ford claim their new Mondo combines cuttingedge styling with meticulous craftsmanship and state-of-the-art Technologies prices start at £20,000 with a wide range of diesel and petrol engines including a tiny 1 L Turbo the car we're testing is the 1.5 EcoBoost titanium well well well if it isn't the new Ford mono a handsome looking beast but brand new no this is what upsets me the Americans have had this for three years three years bit of a weird one this you said it was good looking yeah handsome looking Beast I was a bit disappointed with a big high sided slab you stand back look stand back a b look I'm not sure about that but then around the front I was really surprised and loved it the big grill the stripes down the body I love those front slender lights it's 10% better in terms of drag over the old M they recessed the badge I bet that's good for drag it's lovely anyway the boot so so you're prompting the boot now I have statistics about the boots who W massive three tiffs worth at least three tiffs this hatchback has got more room in the boot with the seats up than the estate with its seats up that's incredible yeah you're really boring me now is how much how much more come on 50 c c oh the lights went on inside the dash is Simple and Clean and mature it is mature mature the interior for me was another mix almost like the exterior sort of plain and then it's FY you know what I mean loads of buts on the feels quite sensible not boring if I put my seat belt on it looks a little bit unconventional ooh uncon still seat belts fora developed an inflatable seat belt system and if we have a massive accident which we won't this will fire out and expand about five times the size of what it is the poor kid in the middle hasn't got one though that's why you're not supposed to have three kids how many children do you have Tiff three Ford spent eight years developing a new cabin filtration system cilra I think someone's got a bit of an obsession with trying to stop people from Ever sneezing while they're driving because sneezing can be dangerous I'm a he plug I used to it is a problem I've got an idea to test the amazing 8year development of the cavern filter okay so you guys go out for a drive I'm going to go and prepare something enjoy your drive one of the reasons why I've always liked them on day is because they drive so nicely so with this one we went out onto the track to see if it's still good to drive straight away it doesn't quite feel like that shark car there's quite a lot of body roll what have we lost we've lost the hydraulic steering we've now got an electric steering assist why do manufacturers do that to save another milliliter of fuel change direction lazy lazy no Vick oh don't I'm slightly heartbroken well this is what happens when you breed a car in America Ford want the m to appeal to everybody and in appealing to everybody it's sort of lost its appeal to those who enjoy driving and who like a bit of a sporty feel no it's not the fun Factor it used to be then we came off track for Johnny's experiments with science oh look out Johnny's Landing us where is he taking us now love him he's never been scientific in his life Ford have said that it's got an amazing filter that filters out all smells and smoke so of course we had to test it can you smell anything Johnny I can smell burning you can't I can I can can you not smell that oh no oh now Johnny there's been a definite change of smell that's what a multi story car park stairway smells like no I don't like it I don't like it oh outside it's a lot more intense the smell sadly for Ford it didn't quite exclude everything Johnny fired at us shame really so the new Mondo feels more grown up and has a massive boot but in an attempt to satisfy a global market is a lot less rewarding to drive than the previous model I really like its looks sadly the Driving Experience doesn't live up to those looks um I'm going to give it a seven I feel like we've been robbed of three years it would have been an eight out of 10 but it's actually a seven the new Mondo has grown a bit soft which is a bit sad so it only gets six which gives the Mondo a team test score of 20 out of 30 and the race is on and he's getting away\n"
