Category: Large Family 
Price Range: No data available
Refinement, safety, comfort and dynamic ability
Lack of rear stowage, potential for massive depreciation
An extremely good car, let down only by minor niggles and the workaday nature of the market sector in which it competes
Despite the suspension's taut control of the Mondeo's body, giving sporty handling, the car still has a comfortable ride. Bumps are heard rather than felt (unless you specify some of the bigger optional alloy wheels), yet float over crests and dips is negligible. The seats are large and supportive, and you're unlikely to step out of a Mondeo with a back ache no matter how long you've been behind the wheel. Ghia X models receive heated and ventilated seats for both driver and passenger - which will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Heated seats are available as a cost option on all other trim levels (and standard on ST220). The rear seats can also be specified to warm up on all trims bar LX. In the front, the hugely adjustable seats permit virtually anyone to find a comfortable driving or riding position, and there is adequate room in the rear for three adults. In fact, the Mondeo is one of the most spacious cars in its class, and rear headroom is fine too, despite the sloping rear design of the saloon. The boots of both saloon and hatchback are very capacious, while the estate has different rear suspension to maximise load space. Pre-2004 Mondeos already had decent sound systems, but in a bid to further push the brand upmarket Sony CD players with MP3 capability are fitted as standard in Ghia, Ghia X and ST; they're optional on the others. The top Sony system features a six in-dash CD auto changer and four 'dual-cone' speakers - which do the work of eight speakers, apparently. A DVD based touch-screen sat-nav system is also available which is a joy to use and gives graphical menu system to all the other functions of the stereo. Rear seat passengers get the option of a DVD multi-media system with screens mounted in the front head rests or an audio-only system which allows those in the rear to listen to a CD through headphones whilst the driver listens to the radio.
