Ford Mondeo Estate Hybrid Review and Prices

The Ford Mondeo Estate Hybrid is roomy for people and their stuff, but it’s not great on fuel and isn’t a brilliant company car.

wowscore
4/10
This score is awarded by our team of expert reviewers after extensive testing of the car

What's good

  • Quiet and refined
  • Roomy cabin
  • Comfortable ride

What's not so good

  • Quite pedestrian
  • Feels a little slow
  • Other estates have bigger boots

Find out more about the Ford Mondeo Estate Hybrid

Is the Ford Mondeo Estate Hybrid a good car?

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid Estate is a version of the big-selling Mondeo that is powered by a conventional petrol engine but with the support of a big battery, and it’s an alternative to cars such as the Volkswagen Passat GTE and Toyota Corolla Touring Sports.

At first glance, there’s not much difference between the hybrid and the petrol and diesel models. Inside, the only obvious difference is the redesigned instrument cluster. The speedometer now gets centre stage and, as in most hybrids, there is a readout to show you how much power you are either using or regenerating.

Otherwise, it’s pretty much standard Ford Mondeo inside this hybrid version. The centre console is dominated by a large infotainment touchscreen, which controls most of the functions, meaning relatively few buttons on the centre console and a neat, uncluttered layout. Sadly, the infotainment system isn’t as easy to use as the one you’ll find in a Passat GTE, but you won’t complain about the quality of materials that Ford has used inside.

You’ll also be very happy with the amount of room for passengers inside. The hybrid is every bit as spacious inside as any Mondeo and the driving position is excellent, with plenty of adjustment on the seat and steering wheel.

However, it’s a different story when you look at the boot space. Whereas the standard Mondeo Estate has a very generous boot, the Hybrid has less space because the hybrid system’s batteries sit beneath the boot floor.

There are better estates and also better hybrids, which makes the Mondeo tricky to recommend.

Mat Watson
Mat Watson
Carwow expert

Those batteries work with the 2.0-litre petrol engine to produce a combined 190hp, but the car isn’t as quick as that figure suggests it might be. Most similar cars use turbocharged engines, but the non-turbocharged engine in the Mondeo seems outgunned.

On paper, 0-62mph takes 9.2 seconds, but the more important figures are the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption – and they’re quite disappointing. The emissions are 103g/km, while the combined fuel economy of 49.6mpg isn’t much better than you’ll get from a diesel-powered Mondeo.

At least, the car swaps between the electric motors and petrol engine seamlessly, while the CVT automatic transmission is good when you’re gliding around smoothly. Most of the time, it’s also very quiet inside the Mondeo. However, when you floor it for maximum acceleration, the characteristic drone of this type of gearbox can be annoying.

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid Estate also isn’t quite as enjoyable to drive as other Mondeos, because it has low-rolling-resistance tyres. They do give a slight improvement in fuel consumption, but they also bring reduced grip. Even so, the Mondeo Hybrid is on a par with other hybrids and the suspension is more comfortable than in a Toyota Corolla Touring Sports.

Like every Mondeo, the hybrid has a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. And, as it’s only available in some of the highest trim levels, it gets safety systems that are optional on lesser Mondeos such as lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition.

In fact, it’s very well equipped overall. Trouble is, that doesn’t come cheap and, for much the same money, you can get the marginally more expensive to run, but better to drive and livelier 2.0-litre diesel version. Furthermore, a VW Passat GTE is bigger inside and better to drive.

Still, if you’re sold on the Mondeo, make sure you head to our deals pages to find the very best prices on one, or tap on the button below to build yours.

How practical is it?

Hybrid is as practical as any other Mondeo Estate, with the exception of a slightly smaller boot area.

Boot (seats up)
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Boot (seats down)
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The Ford Mondeo Hybrid Estate’s wheelbase (the length between the front and rear wheels) is the same as the conventionally fuelled car, so cabin space hasn’t changed a noticeable amount. That’s no bad thing though because cabin space has always been pretty generous in the Ford Mondeo. From a practical point of view, the driving position is excellent and there is plenty of adjustment for both the seat and the steering wheel.

Being the company car of choice for many drivers in the past, it’s no surprise that storage areas are pretty good in the Ford Mondeo. There are plenty of places for smaller stuff and there’s a handy tray behind the gear stick. There are two cup holders in the front and the door pockets in the back can carry a 500ml bottle.

Being the company car of choice for many drivers in the past, it’s no surprise that storage areas are pretty good in the Ford Mondeo. There are plenty of places for smaller stuff and there’s a handy tray behind the gear stick. There are two cup holders in the front and the door pockets in the back can carry a 500ml bottle.

The Ford Mondeo’s 633-litre boot is disappointing, because conventionally fuelled Estate versions offer 755 litres.

Still, at least the boot opening is unhampered by the change to hybridisation, so it’s wide and low, allowing for larger items to be slid along the floor.

Folding down the rear seats is easy, and the resultant 1508-litre area should be big enough for most people’s needs, even if it isn’t quite as big as some alternatives’.

What's it like to drive?

Looks decently powerful on paper, but feels quite pedestrian in reality, and other estates handle better.

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid Estate doesn’t feel particularly quick, most likely because it has a naturally aspirated engine next to the turbocharged motors in alternatives.

The car covers the 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds, which is “are we there yet” territory, but the more important figures are the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Which aren’t great. The emissions are 103g/km, while the combined fuel economy of 49.6mpg is about what a diesel-powered Mondeo will achieve.

The car swaps between the electric motors and petrol engine seamlessly, while the CVT automatic transmission is good when you’re gliding around smoothly. Most of the time, it’s also very quiet inside the Mondeo. However, when you floor it for maximum acceleration, the characteristic drone of an engine linked to this type of gearbox can be annoying.

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid Estate also isn’t quite as enjoyable to drive as other Mondeos, because it sits on low-rolling-resistance tyres. They do give a slight improvement in fuel consumption, but they also bring reduced grip. Even so, the Mondeo Hybrid is on a par with other hybrids and the suspension is more comfortable than in a Toyota Prius.

What's it like inside?

The Mondeo is certainly spacious for five people, but it doesn’t feel particularly special.

Next Read full interior review