After months of teasing and prototype testing, Ford has finally unveiled the updated Mondeo, giving us our first look at the facelifted world car as it prepares to take over the reins from the outgoing model. The new Mondeo made its debut at the Brussels Motor Show with plenty of improvements over the outgoing model to go along with the introduction of a hybrid version for the wagon body type. The Mondeo remains based on the Fusion sedan, though with Ford ending production of the Fusion in the U.S., it’s unclear what kind of future the Mondeo has beyond this new facelift. Then again, that’s an issue for another time. The new Mondeo just arrived, and Ford did a good job giving it the updates it needs to remain relevant. The new Mondeo goes on sale in Europe beginning in March. It won’t be available in the U.S. market.

2019 Ford Mondeo Exterior

Spy photos of the prototype Ford Mondeo showed Ford cover only certain portions of the Mondeo test mule. That usually indicates that there aren’t that many changes to the new model, and as faith would have it, that’s exactly what we saw once the covers were removed off of the facelifted Mondeo. Up front, Ford’s world car receives an updated grille with sharper edges than the previous model. It’s a small change that some people might not even notice, but notice how sharp the edges on the sides are. Included in that change is the Mondeo’s range-topping Titanium trim, which now sports a grille with horizontal chrome slats. The Mondeo ST-Line’s grille, on the other hand, comes with a black finish while the flagship Mondeo Vignale sports the same ‘flying-V’ grille that you see on other range-topping Ford models. Just below the grille is a redesigned lower intake that sits between a pair of new fog lamps. The layout in this section is more pronounced compared to the previous model, giving the Mondeo a fresh-looking face.

Changes on the side of the Mondeo aren’t that extensive, and it’s largely the same story in the rear. There is one notable design upgrade, specifically a new chrome or satin silver strip that now spans the full width of the tailgate. Other than that, the rear section of the new Mondeo doesn’t depart dramatically from an aesthetic point of view compared to the current model it’s replacing.

One thing I want to point out, too, is the stylistic difference between the new Mondeo and the current Fusion that we have in the U.S. Even though, the new Mondeo is based on the Fusion, the stylistic upgrades in the Mondeo creates a more striking front profile compared to the current Fusion. The design of the Mondeo’s lower front bumper is striking compared to the current Fusion. The Mondeo’s rear section is also more rounded, at least compared to the upright profile of the Fusion. If anything, you can make a case that Ford is more interested in giving the Mondeo a proper visual upgrade compared to the Fusion, which is not long for this world, anyway. Perhaps Ford knows which horse it’s backing now that it’s all but given up hope on selling sedans in the U.S.

As an added treat, the new Mondeo is available with a wide range of new colors and wheel options. That’s a misnomer, really, considering that both sedan and hatchback versions of the Mondeo need as much visual variety as they can get.

2019 Ford Mondeo Interior

As you might expect, the new Ford Mondeo’s interior remains the same as it was in the model that it’s replacing. The layout remains the same, though there are new seat fabrics that are available in the new model. Hooray for those. New door handle appliqués are available, too. These upgrades are cosmetic in nature, and while they don’t really establish the Mondeo’s cabin as a cocoon of luxury, it’s nice to know that there’s something new on the table. If anything, there’s more visual appreciation with the new cabin, thanks in large part to Ford’s long-overdue decision to stop drowning the Mondeo’s interior with cheap plastic. There’s still some of them inside, but it’s not as prevalent as it used to be. Plastic is a novelty we could use a lot less of, especially in car cabins.

Speaking of novelties, the new Mondeo does have a new feature that’s both functionally useful and aesthetically pleasing. You normally don’t expect to see a rotary gear shift dial for the eight-speed automatic transmission on a car like the Mondeo, but the facelifted model has one and it gives the center tunnel a cleaner and more sophisticated look. Functionally, the rotary gear shift dial also creates more space for other useful bits. Good thing, then, that Ford made good use of that extra space by adding a USB port that can be used for charging mobile devices and accessing portable media.

The redesigned tunnel also complements what Ford describes as a center console with an “even more premium feel.” Perhaps that’s just press release jargon on the Blue Oval’s part because it’s hard to see how the console on the new Mondeo has a more premium feel to it compared to the one in the current model. I would’ve wanted more improvements made in that area, too — maybe make it smaller and a tad sleeker to get rid of the unused space between the buttons — but the current layout isn’t bad enough that changes were necessary.

Fortunately, Ford’s opening up its vault of trim details on the Mondeo, specifically on the Titanium, ST-Line, and Vignale versions of the model. The automaker didn’t elaborate on the new trim options available to the Mondeo, but I suspect that it’s going to include a smorgasbord of premium materials. Is it possible that we could see Alcantara or premium leather on Ford’s sell-everywhere model? I’m not going to raise my hopes, but I’d be open to the surprise.

Space is what you’d expect from a Mondeo. It doesn’t make you feel like a sardine in a can, but it’s not overly generous on space, either. It’s the same story in the cargo area where the hybrid Mondeo wagon offers up 14.23 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats up and 53.25 cubic feet of storage with the seats folded. There’s decent space there for grocery bags and the like, but it’s not as spacious as other wagons that the Mondeo will compete against. The Hyundai i30 Wagon, for example, comes with 21.2 cubic feet of storage space with the seats upright and 58.2 cubic feet of space with the seats folded. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen has even more space to offer: 30.4 cubic feet with the seats up and 66.5 cubic feet of space with the seats down.

On the tech side of things, the facelifted Mondeo benefits from offering an improved version of Ford’s adaptive cruise technology with added start-go functionality. The latter function helps bring the Mondeo to a complete stop in start-stop traffic situations. Likewise, the tech allows the Mondeo to automatically pull away if the stopping duration is less than three seconds. A new speed limiter also becomes available in the Mondeo. This new version is equipped with a sing recognition system that helps ensure that the vehicle’s maximum speed is automatically adjusted to stay within changing speed limits.

While I don’t expect a lot from the Mondeo’s interior, it helps that, cargo space notwithstanding, the model’s status that Ford appears to be proactive in improving the quality of the cabin as a whole. That much, I can appreciate.

2019 Ford Mondeo Drivetrain

It’s hardly a shock that the Ford Mondeo’s status as a people’s car comes with a handful of engine options, including a new hybrid version that’s available exclusively to the Mondeo Wagon. First, let’s start off with the only gasoline version of the bunch: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 165 horsepower. It’s unclear if Ford has plans to offer the bigger 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, but based on what the automaker said about the facelifted Mondeo’s engine lineup, don’t be shocked if the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine is shelved for the time being. For now, the 1.5-liter is the only gas engine available to the facelifted Mondeo. If you’re looking for another engine option, you’re going to have to go the way of diesel engines — the Mondeo has a lot of options there — or the new hybrid powertrain unit for the Mondeo wagon.

Let’s take a look at the diesel options first. There’s only one engine available — the new 2.0-liter EcoBlue engine — but this one engine is offered in different states of tune, producing power ratings that start at 120 horsepower and goes all the way up to 190 horsepower. A 150-horsepower version is sandwiched between the two. All diesel engines are mated to a six-speed manual transmission, though there is an option to upgrade to Ford’s new eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission, which replaces the old six-speed dual-clutch PowerShift gearboxes.

Then there’s the hybrid engine, which is only available on the Mondeo Wagon. A 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle gas engine, a compact electric motor, and a 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery make up the hybrid powertrain. Altogether, this powertrain can produce as much as 187 horsepower and return up to 53.5 mpg.

2019 Ford Mondeo Prices

Ford has yet to announce pricing details of the new Mondeo, but based on our history with the model, the facelifted model should start from €24,000 to €40,000 depending on the trim level. That converts to around $27,000 to just above $45,500 based on current exchange rates.

Unfortunately, these prices aren't official, though it's unlikely that Ford has plans to lower the prices of the entire range. If anything, a price increase from the current Mondeo is in order.

Fortunately, even with the increased prices, don't expect the new Mondeo to cost as much as models from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.

2019 Ford Mondeo Competition

Hyundai i30 Wagon

The Ford Mondeo and the Hyundai i30 Wagon share a few similarities, one of which is that they go by different names in the U.S (the Mondeo is the Fusion, and the i30 is the Elantra). In addition, the Mondeo and the i30 Wagon also share the compact wagon stage, making them rivals in this segment. The i30 Wagon comes with three different engine options. On the gasoline front, the wagon carries a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 118 horsepower. If that doesn’t suit you, there’s also a 1.4-liter unit that has 138 horsepower on tap. Opt for the diesel, and you’re getting a 1.6-liter mill that has 108 horsepower at its disposal. That’s plenty of choices to go around for a wagon that’s priced competitively compared to the Mondeo. The starting price for the i30 Wagon in Europe sits just north of €20,000, which converts to about $24,000. That price range extends up to €25,000 depending on the options and accessories you choose. That converts to just under $30,000 based on current exchange rates.

Read our full review on the 2017 Hyundai i30 Wagon.

Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

It’s easy to look at the Ford Mondeo and say that it competes against the likes of the BMW 3 Series Wagon or the Audi A4 Avant. But that’s not fair to the Blue Oval wagon because the two German vehicles belong in a more premium segment. With respect, then, to the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen because this is a model that fits more into the same market as the Mondeo. Fortunately for the VW, it has a lot of advantages over the Ford, not the least of which is a bigger 1.8-liter turbocharged engine that produces a tidy 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It’s not going to win any drag races, but compared to what the Mondeo has under its hood, it might as well be a rocket carrying a wagon’s body. The Mondeo, and the i30 Wagon, for that matter, benefit from having a more modern design than the Golf Sportwagen. But, if you want the best returns for the money that you’re spending — the VW wagon costs anywhere from $22,000 to $30,000 — you’re not going to find a more suitable model than the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen.

Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen

Conclusion

Unlike its Ford Fusion alter ego in the U.S., the Ford Mondeo remains a draw in the markets where it's available, so, clearly, Ford is doing something right with the model. It's not surprising, too, that the Mondeo is getting a well-deserved facelift wow that it's in the middle of its fourth generation.

For the most part, the Mondeo is regarded as a trusted and reliable model that's not going to make you worry about your payment plans for the car. It gets even better now with all the improvements throughout the model, not the least of which are the upgrades in safety systems and all-around technology.

The European market is still inundated with compact wagons from a lot of different automakers, but the Mondeo is no slouch in its own right. It's been able to hold its own against the competition throughout the course of its life. Now that the facelifted fourth-generation model is here, it's hard to think any different of the Mondeo. It's a model that's worthy of your time and money.

Further reading

Read our full review on the previous generation Ford Mondeo.

Read more Ford news.