Mondeo XR5 - Real World Views

[Polyal]

Hey Guys,

Looking at a medium size car for work/home and thought the Mondeo was the way to go (or a focus).

What I am interested in is real world fuel figure. Published figures are one thing, what happens on the road is another.

What are you guys averaging? Could you please state whether its highway, city or combined.

Whats the back seat like? With a little one on the way this is the main reason why I want to head for the mondeo rather than the focus.

Thanks

[LRsedan]

Get anywhere from 8.4 per 100 to 10.5 per 100 if the boot is laid in.

Very economical.

[Polyal]

That is excellent, and thanks for the quick reply.

Any idea if the focus XR5 is better on fuel? Common sense would say yes as I guess there is less weight, but is it enough to make it a better buy over the mondeo?

Also, along the lines of above, why did you go Mondeo XR5 over the Focus XR5?

[TheColonel]

i get low to high 7's on the highway and 11-12 around town, focus gets about the same, but if you start driving with some passion, those figures will move into 15's... As for why i got the mondeo over the focus, boot space firstly, i use the car for work mainly and wanted somewhere to be able to keep a server if need be out of the public eye interior space and the gadgets...

[apstar]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Hey Guys,

Looking at a medium size car for work/home and thought the Mondeo was the way to go (or a focus).

What I am interested in is real world fuel figure. Published figures are one thing, what happens on the road is another.

What are you guys averaging? Could you please state whether its highway, city or combined.

Whats the back seat like? With a little one on the way this is the main reason why I want to head for the mondeo rather than the focus.

Thanks

The way some people drive that real world fuel figure could put you off getting a Mondeo but if you read between the lines you should get a good picture what can be done from the guys here at least they don't lie

apstar

[ian b]

I drive a combination of suburb, motorway and highway, and am currently showing a trip computer average of 8.8lts/100kms. I have calculated around the same. This drops to 8.7 coming down from the Blue Mountains as you would expect.

I would say go for the Mondeo over the Focus if you have a litle one on the way, not only for the back seat space but also the boot for pram etc. the focus boot is not that big and you would get the pram in but nothing else.

I reckon that I have as much passenger and storage room as my old falcon.

Hope this helps.

[Superoo]

I have two little ones and the Mondeo is great. Not quite as wide as a falcon but I would say it offers more leg room. The hatch is huge and what you want if a pram is on the cards - you'll still have room for shopping and the multitude of bags that seem to be required with kids.

Can't vouch for XR5 fuel consumption.

[Zippy7]

I have 2 full sized child booster seats (Safe n Sound Maxi-Riders) in the back of my XR5 and there is plenty of room for the kids to get in/out on their own. No probs leaning in to fasten their seatbelts either.

Fuel economy is how you use your right foot - but I had just under 10L/100kms for my first 500kms. Thats some driving around Sydney, plus the first leg from Sydney to Canberra. I think around town, it is around 12's, depending on how many traffic lights you have. I'll be trying to go for a proper blast now that I am up to 1000kms

[Dusty1]

I've got a TDCi. Done nearly 11K, and I get 7.7 l/100kms. Mix of city and country, a/c always on.

[Lord Viykor]

99.9% of our driving is in the city, we are averaging 10.8l/100km. We went for the Mondeo for the size it's very close to the Falcon and looks heaps better IMO.

We have three teenagers and they seem happy in the back.

[paulie0735]

I have 13,000 k's on mine and I have never reset the TC. Its showing a flat 10.0 at the moment (came down 0.1) just the other day. Average speed is 44 kph. The Focus and Mondeo really are aimed at different markets but naturally there is some cross over. The facts are; The Focus is faster, firmer and to quote my missus....... "looks like a f^$%ing rally car" The Mondeo is better equipped, a lot bigger, its smoother and (unlike the Focus) has almost no torque steer. Ultimately you will be happy with either, it gets down to what you need from a car.

Good luck.

[buts44]

I have the XR5 Mondeo and have not reset trip computer since about 2000k's and is going in for its 15000 this week. Currently showing 9 even per 100k and thats with a lot of freeway in peak hour (stop start for about half the trip).

[bathurst77]

I live near ianB so must do same drives he does.
My zetech shows 9.5l/100 km and 60kmh avg
You must pussy yours ian. give me a go!

[zetec]

Originally Posted by bathurst77

I live near ianB so must do same drives he does.
My zetech shows 9.5l/100 km and 60kmh avg
You must pussy yours ian. give me a go!

The official fuel condumption figures for Zetec 2.3 and Turbo 2.5 are exactly the same, mainly because the 2.3 has to work very hard to carry the weight of the car. Hell the Mondeo XR5 T is more economical real world than a 4 cylinder Camry!!!

[ian b]

[QUOTE=zetec]The official fuel consumption figures for Zetec 2.3 and Turbo 2.5 are exactly the same, mainly because the 2.3 has to work very hard to carry the weight of the car.

The low end torque means not having to go much beyond 2500rpm even when pulling uphill. The revs are generally lower as I can change up sooner than if I was in the Zetec. This probably explains the lower fuel consumption.

I could cane it but the slow aussie traffic and road network makes that difficult and frankly pointless. 90 mins to do 100k's is garbage, the only thing I miss about England is being able to drive at 85-90 mph on decent roads without speed cameras and blue lights hiding in the bushes.

(Less spent on fuel also means more available for beer!!!!!!)

[ian b]

Am waiting for summer to start using Bells Line of Road again.(Too icy at the moment 0 degrees in Blackheath this am) Downhill on GWH is 6th gear in tickover so almost runs on fresh air. I do very little urban driving at the moment which probably explains the low consumption. Saturday am to RHTC or Castle Towers is pretty much it. My previous XR6 was a company car so tyres and petrol were "cheap". Currently on a novated lease so I am a bit more circumspect as every dollar I save on my car allowance is in my back pocket.

[Polyal]

Cheers guys. Im teeing up a test drive over the next couple of weeks.

Last question, when is the next mondeo due? Any updates on the horizon?

[paulie0735]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Cheers guys. Im teeing up a test drive over the next couple of weeks.

Last question, when is the next mondeo due? Any updates on the horizon?

Don't think we will see anything downunder for 12 months at least.

[TheColonel]

Next Mondeo will be a while off yet, late 2009, early 2010 i believe.. this model has only been around for a year or so in EU and not even 12 months here

[Martyvan]

You would think the only update will be the potential introduction of a wagon or a changeover to the 2.2 diesel... but the 2.2 would be Mk II....

[apstar]

Hill brake assist
Radar Cruise control
Satellite Navigation
Full HMI like XR5

apstar

[paulie0735]

Originally Posted by apstar

Hill brake assist
Radar Cruise control
Satellite Navigation
Full HMI like XR5

apstar

Sadly, no time soon.......... if ever in Aus! The euros won't trust us with their technology!

[Martyvan]

Originally Posted by apstar

Satellite Navigation

I would be happy with that, and a 2.2 diesel Wagon

[apstar]

Glad I got a Nokia 6110 with GPS absolutely brilliant for it's size I was surprised the other day I had it under the radio near the auto stick and it was working as I have speed cameras as landmarks I heard beeping the only down fall is it needs to have power from the car otherwise the antenna of the GPS chews power VERY FAST!!

apstar

[scribbly]

Originally Posted by apstar

Hill brake assist
Radar Cruise control
Satellite Navigation
Full HMI like XR5

apstar

I used the Hill brake assist in a rental diesel Passat when driving in Sweden. Once I figured out how it worked it's a great tool for those who have trouble doing hill starts in manuals. You apply the handbrake and as you take up the revs the handbrake automatically disengages. Mind you the bloody handbrake/emergency brake in this vehicle was a foot activated beast and trying to do a hill start with 4 foot pedals is damned impossible.

[ian b]

it's a great tool for those who have trouble doing hill starts in manuals.

Don't you have to demonstrate that you can manage a hill start to get a manual drivers licence?!!!!

[TheColonel]

2.2 is available now, just not here, alas... the options listed above by apstar would be nice to see here, actually all the options would be nice to have here, i'd like to see full leather in the xr5

[Zippy7]

Don't forget that we also miss out on IVDC - the adjustable suspension option.

[apstar]

Well there was more I could have listed that we miss out on but I took the view if I was to wait for the fully optioned Mondeo like the 2.2 engine etc,I will be dead in my coffin so I figured get this model now and see how it pans out in 18 months time if there is sufficient incentive to upgrade[resale value] I will and hopefully any major problems sorted out the trick they use is for e.g. offer the 2.2 engine in the next upgrade as the Colonel said and then add the items I listed in the next version until a new body is offered

apstar

[LRsedan]

The ford version requires no handbrake, works the same as BMW.

Just pull up on the hill. Depress clutch, release foot-brake. It will hold for 20 secs.