Ford Mondeo (2014-2022) review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

The Mondeo’s rakish looks don’t compromise its interior functionality, thanks to the fact the car is so big. There’s plenty of space for five adults and a big boot. A deep centre armrest, big cupholders and extra space behind the floating centre console mean oddment storage in the cabin is another Mondeo strong suit. The optional panoramic sunroof makes the car feel much more spacious inside, too.

The large exterior dimensions make this a cumbersome beast, and the hatchback’s narrow rear screen limits visibility and makes parking tricky. You might therefore consider the optional Active Park Assist, which can steer you into parking spaces at the push of a button. Having located a suitable space as you drive past, it then automatically steers you in.

Size

At 4,871mm long and 1,852mm wide, the Ford Mondeo is definitely among the largest cars in its class – although surprisingly, the estate is fractionally shorter than the hatchback (at 4,867mm). Overall the Mondeo range comfortably outsizes its main rivals like the Vauxhall Insignia (4,842mm long), Skoda Superb (4,861mm), and VW Passat (4,767mm).

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Getting into the Ford Mondeo is very easy thanks to its wide-opening doors. And because of its large dimensions, it comfortably accommodates five adults. Even tall people will enjoy lots of space in the back, although headroom can be tight for the centre rear passenger. The Titanium X Pack model gives you 10-way adjustable heated electric front seats, which are very comfortable indeed. 

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Boot

The standard hatchback boasts a whopping 541-litre boot, which expands to 1,437 litres with the seats down. It has the distinct advantage over saloon car rivals like the VW Passat and Mazda 6 that the tailgate opening is huge, so it’s very easy to load. The estate has slightly less room with the seats up, at 500 litres, but it offers more seat-down capacity at 1,605 litres. The boxier shape proves more practical in day-to-day use, too.

However, the Hybrid disappoints – it has only 383 litres of boot space because the massive battery pack sits bang in the middle of the load area, eating up space. Even worse, the rear seats can’t be folded away. It’s a real shame that the batteries aren’t hidden under the floor.

Do also be aware that, while the diesel Mondeos and the Hybrid Estate have a hatchback tailgate, the Mondeo Hybrid saloon’s boot lid hinges from below the rear window. This means the saloon has a narrower boot opening than the hatchback and estate versions, and therefore makes it a bit harder to fit larger and more cumbersome items in the boot.

Towing

The Mondeo has decent towing capabilities, helping it appeal to caravanners and hobby sailors alike. With the limits starting at just 400kg and going all the way up to 2,000kg in terms of braked trailer towing capacities, you are going to want to check the small print for the model you are buying.

As a guide, in its various power outputs, the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesels will allow you to pull the most mass. Also, the optional self-levelling rear suspension is worth considering if you’re towing or carrying heavy loads regularly, while four-wheel drive is also available on some models.