After our Deputy Editor spotted one in the wild on UK roads last summer, Ford has confirmed details for the refreshed Mondeo in 2019.
We already had an inkling a facelift was likely, as the Mondeo’s North American sibling model – the Fusion (unrelated to the Fiesta-based car of the same name previously sold here), received a minor nip and tuck months earlier.
Facelifting the Mondeo now makes sense given the relative freshness of its main rival, the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, as well as the visually appealing Peugeot 508 Fastback. The Mazda 6 has just been refreshed, and there are impending updates in 2019 for the Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat.
What’s changed about the 2019 Ford Mondeo?
In terms of appearance, the front of the Mondeo now resembles the latest Ford Focus, with a smaller front grille, revised bumper and tweaked lights. At the rear, the revised rear lamp clusters are linked by a chrome-look horizontal trim bar across much of the tailgate’s width. Titanium Edition and Hybrid Vignale models recieve a new alloy wheel design, while a couple of model-specific colours have been added: Stealth Grey is exclusive to ST-Line Edition and Blue Panther can be had on Vignale.
Minor improvements have been made for the interior, with new seat fabrics and claims of improved fit and finish between the centre console and instrument panel. The biggest change lies on the centre console where the fitment of a rotary shift dial replaces the traditional lever used for the automatic gearbox. Seen first – within the Ford range – on the current Ford Focus, this frees up enough space for a conveniently-placed USB port ahead of it, beneath the climate control buttons.
Further interior changes are limited to superficial details specific to Titanium Edition, ST-Line and Vignale models.
Will there be more Ford Mondeo hybrids or an electric version?
Ford has sold a hybrid version of the current Mondeo Saloon since its introduction at the end of 2014, but four-door cars aren’t usually favoured as much as other bodystyles for this size of car in the UK and across much of Europe.
A hybrid version of the Estate has been added for greater appeal and Ford expects it to account for up to 50% of all Mondeo sales.
The latest Mondeo Hybrid continues to use a 2.0-litre petrol engine in conjunction with an electric motor to drive the front wheels, but, thanks to a software update, this now offers improved power delivery and fuel efficiency. A 1.4kWh battery is located beneath the boot floor while regenerative braking is standard. Power is rated at 187hp, while Ford is aiming for CO2 emissions to drop from 108g/km to 98g/km on the saloon. The estate is anticipated to emit 103g/km.
There won’t be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery electric (BEV) version of this generation of Mondeo, despite the former being sold in North America as the Fusion Energi, but there is a new 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel.
Power outputs of 150hp and 190hp are available and both have been designed to meet the latest Euro 6d Temp emissions. Fuel economy figures are yet to be published, but the anticipated CO2 output for the 150hp engine is rated at 127g/km. The 190hp version is expected to emit 133g/km of CO2. A six-speed manual is standard, but a new eight-speed automatic gearbox can be optioned – as well as all-wheel drive, sending torque from the front wheels to the rear by up to 50%.
The 165hp 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol remains.
What else has changed in the 2019 Ford Mondeo range?
A handful of driver-assitance tech is now available on the Ford Mondeo. Adaptive cruise control is now an option, plus the Stop & Go feature can bring models fitted with an automatic gearbox to a stop in congested traffic. If the stopping duration is less than three seconds, the system will automatically drive the Mondeo away from stationary. For stopping durations that last longer, the driver can simply press the resume button to get back up to the desired speed.
The Intelligent Speed Limiter function uses the Traffic Sign Recognition system to adjust the vehicle’s speed to remain within the limit, should they change.
Equipment grades will doubtless be close to the existing hierarchy with a flagship Mondeo Vignale at the top of the range, while all trim levels will feature improved levels of standard equipment.
