1.6 TDCi ECO (Start/Stop) Edge 5dr Estate

Great to drive but fails to deliver promised economy

This is my 4th Mondeo (1st of the current shape) and has the most accomplished chassis yet. To drive it reminds me more of the previous generation Honda Accord (my previous favourite drive) than previous Mondeos. Handling is very slick and belies the car's size while the ride is remarkably absorbent. Interior quality (even on base Edge spec) is a new high for Ford with good quality switchgear and materials. The basic air-con is pretty feeble and the radio speakers are poor quality, but otherwise it is a class act. BUT I am not totally convinced by the ECO engine. It is easily the smoothest Ford diesel I have come across (who makes this one?) but is short on power when pulling out into traffic or at roundabouts - you need to rev quite hard to get reasonable progress. On the move you need to change gear more than usual for a diesel, but this is no hardship as again the gearshift is a new high for Ford. My most serious complaint is that it does not deliver anything close to the promised 60+ mpg. The computer appears to be fairly accurate, and the best I have seen is 53. My measured average over the first 6000 miles is only 51.0 (only 2.5 mpg better than I got on my previous Citroen C5 2.0 HDI). At least my tax will be low, and the exhaust genuinely appears much cleaner so far.

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