Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi (163PS) Titanium X

Practical Caravan reviews the Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi (163PS) Titanium X and finds it to be a first rate tow car and an extremely capable wagon

Verdict

This is an excellent tow car and a practical estate; highly recommended.

Pros

This is a brilliant tow car
It is good fun when driving solo
It’s practical and well equipped

Cons

Potential resale values are poor

Any Ford Mondeo makes a practical, stable tow car – and this version is one of our favourites. Here we are reviewing the Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi (163PS) Titanium X.

Through our lane-change test the Mondeo was close to perfect

Towing

Ford’s latest 2.0 TDCi diesel engine is a cracker. It is smooth and quiet but very strong. With 251lb ft of muscle it easily copes with any suitable match.

Through our lane-change test the Mondeo was close to perfect, going exactly where the driver intended without pushing and shoving from the caravan behind. At motorway speeds hardly any steering correction is needed to hold a straight and steady course.

Everyday Driving

Leave the caravan behind and the Ford Mondeo is great fun to drive. The steering is precise, and there’s plenty of grip and agility you just don’t expect from such a big estate car.

Space

And, yes, this is a very big estate car. Seats up, you have 542 litres of luggage room. Fold the rear seats down and you have 1733 litres to fill.

Passengers are equally well catered for, with plenty of head and legroom in the rear. One six-footer can quite happily sit behind another.

Running Costs

The Titanium X spec is well equipped but expensive. You can get the same towing ability with a few less toys by choosing the Zetec model.

Whichever specification is chosen, however, we have reservations over the Mondeo’s resale values. Expect to get back just 35% of what you paid in three years, according to What Car?.

However, fuel economy should be good. Official figures promise 53.2mpg on the combined cycle. Around our towing economy route the Mondeo averaged a respectable 23.6mpg.