2008 Ford Mondeo XR5 review
February 20, 2008 by rjw
I did find the speedometer increments a little hard to spot at a glance in our speed camera infested suburban streets, but otherwise, it’s a flashy set-up which is easy to use and to live with day-to-day and illuminates in a classy soft blue-white hue at night.
The sweet little MP3 compatible six stack Sony stereo with i-Pod connection (hooray) has just enough bass to shake the self dimming rear view mirror at the lights and can be fitted with Bluetooth interface for an additional charge.
Dual zone climate control, variable heated seats, one-touch power windows, and let’s not forget the start/stop button, all adding to the overall feel that you are indeed getting a good deal for your hard earned cash.
Back to the starter button for a sec, many claim it’s a gimmick, but once you’ve got the hang of not fumbling for the keys every time you need to start the car, the novelty soon becomes one of those things you miss when you hand the car back.
In all the interior space is quite overwhelming, you’re almost of the impression it’s bigger than it looks, Tardis like. The rear leg space is incredibly generous, head room is great and although it’s a little narrower than Falcon shoulder to shoulder, it shares a wide centre console to give an impression (from the front at least) that the car is actually a full-sized family hatch. Clever really.
Your luggage is spoilt too. The low loading lip is ideal when you’ve got an armful of bags and that large hatch opens really wide to accommodate just about all manner of goods be it golf clubs, suit cases … and as if it’s not enough all ready, you can flip the rear seats down flat and gain another few acres – great for those snowboarding trips. Perhaps I should have waited until winter.
This week I will still have the Holden mob cheering around me over the Courtney/Lowndes/Winterbottom accident because it was only Fords in it. I personally don’t care that they crashed out because Whincup still won.
wheelnut have you ever heard a crowd go ooohhhhhhh when someone crashes?
no matter who it is the crowd loves a good bingle.
Graig is still being voted the “most liked” by fans so i dont thnk it was a show of great dislike for the man.
i dont think courtney can whinge though as courtney did his fair share of barging around the track. his battle scared falcon was proof of that.
PI was similar in that lowndes was bottled up behind an inconsiderate slower car in Tander and this time JC
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC….nope, wrong take. Oops, what….yep tis BM and Nutter! If ya are Italian BM I would pinch you on the cheek and say “GOOD ON YA”.
Dave….obviously I agree with the AU but when all is said and done I dont think the new Falcon is that radical and in GE and top end sports models in looks fine as! Maybe you should look forward and not back as you will damage yourself! The BA was new and unreal….just outdated on front blandness a lot. With many choices, 5sp auto as standard and great features you gotta love it!
Well said OZ and agree with Andrew M about Lowndes!
Mate, james courtneys actions of bumping me on the ass sent me out the race real funny hahaha.
Wrecked Coldbums chances too,cause if Lowndes hadn’t of snuck through on Coldbums inside a few laps before {that lost him 3 spots}he would have been in front of Lowndes and not been in the mess! Seems like Ford fairies dont apply at the race track,they don’t support the brand just themselves!
Dave you think..I thought Aussies weren’t as subdued as the Europeans,in general I mean. You think the AU was radical?
Where is TP? I waisted 20 mins on that post on stats for him!
Hahaha Wheelnut you know me just stirring…..Why would you look at the Yellow Glen when you can wait for the Bollinger….hehehe You live in the Barossa,work it out!
Nice wording by the way!
NM……..no not Italian……But feel free to pinch me.hahaha
Well I agree with Wheelnut on Craig I think hes obviously had enough of being Mr nice guy from the last few years,got him no where except popular. Meet the new Ambrose!
I like to see biff and barg but couldn’t he be doing it to the Holden drivers……hahaha
Hey Wheelnut……..looks like where in for some interesting times ahead.
On a happier note Looks like karma has already hit Russell!
Me has a new Voodoo doll..I told you I was physic ….
ha ha yeah it was good to see the new comer Vangisbergen that now drives Ingalls old car out performed him.
yep exactlly,
i think craig has been told to rub it up a bit more as he has been critisised as being too soft and not getting noticed. i think some people had felt he had lost the enthusiasm as he wasnt in there mixing it with them enough but rather letting Jamie take the honours
Not getting noticed and soft,real funny.hahaha.
BM…..I dont deal in stolen things so cant pinch you. Ha Ha Ha Ha
Nice to hear you laugh again AndrewM….I thought the same thing.That young guy is going to be a star.Russell did him a favour by leaving! Jamie is out to kill ha…..Come on Ford don’t back off this year,make the new race car mid session great! Go Frosty though……
NM…..Stolen things what ever do you mean…..
Im all paid for,by me!!!!!!!!!!
Hey you know that the mans the head in a relationship but the womans the neck {head out of the gutter Wheelnut,sorry bad pun} with out women you guys wouldn’t move! You think your making the decisions but in actual fact were pointing you that way!
Im not stolen , I left the store by myself …..and found a better one that respects me for being more than just a trophy. He could see that all along . I know your joking NM…but Im not.
Dont worry we wont back off,and im natrally agressive and im not going to change because thats what made me famous back in the early days.Craig Lowndes 888.
I’d love to see a good year from James courtney.
he is real deserving and his past performance in other categories show he has talent.
i think he has settled into the category now and we might just see him taking a few race wins too.
i doubt we will see someone come into the category like Ambrose did and be right on it again
Ambrose was a star…….an arrogant one but I guess thats what it takes sometimes.
I think Jamie is going for it……nice guy too and very deserving.
I am still going for Coldbum…….hes on the edge and will get there,I think hes like Jamie 2 years ago.Sweet guy!
its funny as i looked through my magazines from “yesteryear” in search of info re the toyota entering into V8’s debate,
that i came across articles of whincup, courtney and frosty in the back pages in write ups on their sucess in particular categories before V8’s
Yeah but back then [HRT Days] when you were having/causing accidents.. your team had a bigger budget and moree resources to build you another car..
Infact HRT often had a number “race ready” cars back in the workshop to reduce the amount of time they had to spend fixing your car in between rounds.
I have the series of sequentioal photos of your roll at Calder back in 98 which I intend to get signed by the REAL Craig Lowndes
Youre right BM Lowndes is the New Ambrose.. as he is complaining about an accident he caused which took him out of the race and thereby snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
In the same way Ambrose was blaming others for the Accident involving Murphy at bathurst whcih ended hsi hopes of capping of a terrific season
Yet if they had kept coll and abided by the rules [balaklava]neither of them would have been in the situation they found themselves in.. which is why I have absolutely no sympathy for Lowndes in relation to the incident at Clipsal.. he had brain fade.
You’re also right about the Ford drivers having an uncanny knack/ability of taking ouut other Frod drivers
Lucky none of these ‘cars’ were around when you were merely an itch in your old mans jocks. They would have fallen apart in the first 50 miles of the dirt roads where I lived. Strange thing is than many of that old breed of cars is still around. No power steering, no power brakes, no air con, no radial tyres, no nothing and no plastic. Any of you guys remember an Australian Motor mag being banned by BMW for future launches when their tests claimed that the Holden HZ radial tuned suspension out handled the Beemer. Have a nice day
Ford.Best model line up in OZ.EAZY
Awesome car.
Pity there is no auto version. Would team great with the turbo motor…..if only.
Until they bring one out, will have to keep looking elsewhere.
I own a Mondeo XR5 and it is the best car I have ever driven.
I drove a Presara from Perth through Margaret River last year. It has a great engine but being surrounded by grey leather and faux timber it still felt like an old man’s car. Sure the Presara may be half a second faster to 100kph, that matters little. As a car to drive to work in everyday, I smile every morning when I leave in the XR5. The XR5 is a shade better looking than the Camry/Aurion/Presara. I tried to like the Presara, I just couldn’t.
I hear complaints that its a manual and not available in automatic. Well, if you are serious about driving and call yourself an enthusiast and still drive an automatic then you are a hypocrite. I don’t understand why people want to drive an automatic. It’s just laziness.
For the record, I didn’t even both test driving the Epica (Holden’s Mondeo equivalent). Do you think that was a mistake????
hello
compliment am the excutive director of jimmy agbaje motors in which my father happen to be the chairman and it been long we have into ford motors, either by sale or repair . we buy second used fords cars or any american design cars we will appriciate if we can have any dealer for negociation on sales of cars. please only fords and american cars .
“I hear complaints that its a manual and not available in automatic. Well, if you are serious about driving and call yourself an enthusiast and still drive an automatic then you are a hypocrite. I don’t understand why people want to drive an automatic. It’s just laziness.”
Come on now – check out VW’s DSG gearbox that sits on the R32 and special edition golfs (and the new Bugatti Veron – so expensive I cant spell it) what about the M3 DSG or just about any of the paddle shifts or tip tronic gears out there – the XR5 is not a track car.
I completly agree about your comment The XR5 is a shade better looking than the Camry/Aurion/Presara. its just a shame the XR5 is not made here to support Aussie jobs!
Thanks for your response.
It’s also a shame that Aussie made cars are of inferior quality to their European imported counterparts, although Aussie made cars compare favourably with most things that come out of Korea.
Paddle shifts are gimmicks and are usually poorly executed. Some people like them, but they are not my cup of tea. Call me a staid old traditionist! My comments were directed more towards the car jockeys who want a Commonbore type automatic so they can “commute”.
I would have seriously considered an Aurion TRD but the price difference between the XR5 and the TRD did not mirror the difference between the cars. The TRD is overpriced for what you get.
I fell in love with this car the moment I sore it on TV. I had to wait about 3-4 months before it was released for sell in Australia, when it was released I bought at the first available moment, I was one of the first people on the Gold Coast to have a XR5, it is a beautiful car inside and out and it is a dream to drive.
Have seen a heap of these and must now say it is boring old and wont age well!
I have just taken delivery of a new Panther Black XR5 trading in my BMW 325i M3 Sport pack. I did consider a new 325 or a C class Merc until I started reading the reviews in the UK press regarding the new Mondeo. Considering a similar spec’d 325 was going to cost over $92K it was a no brainer to go for the Mondeo XR5. The XR5 is a better looking car, it handles and drives better. I would even say the build quality is better. The reaction from friends and work mates has been consistent. “I can’t believe how good it is” If you are in the market for a BMW Think again.
Interesting comment..I would have thought over the poverty pac current BMW but didn’t think it would come close to a 325..great looking car the Mondeo although the only thing that annoyed me was the manual bonnet holder,you too surprised after having struts in the BMW ??
Although wouldn’t trade the M3 on one,what model BMW was it out of interest?
The M3 is in a different class and considered one of the best cars built. And is $150,000. The cars I have previously had was a 325i E46 with M3 sports pack (Not an M3). I also tested the new BMW325i E90 and was very underwhelmed by it. Before negotiating on the E90 they were after close to $100,000 (M Sports pack, sunroof, 18″ wheels). Rip off.
Waaahey – UK press are showing a Mondeo coupe. Guess it’ll have a slack engine though. GO have a look folks. Its not bad.
try auto express . co. uk
I pick up my new Mondeo XR5 tomorrow and I can’t wait. I have had my share of new commodores over the years but this Mondeo is far superior than any of the commodores out there today – there’s just something about it.
We liked the look of the XR5 on the road (the standard Mondeos are not much to look at) however we have spent nearly 3 months test driving other cars in the same class (Aurion, Commodore, Mazda6Turbo, Liberty) and both agreed the Mondeo was much more fun and stylish, both inside and out. Not to mention that the space in the back seat of the Mondeo is bigger than ALL of the other cars. We have kids.
Add to that the sheer arrogance of the Holden new car salesman who obviously pre-qualified us as non-serious buyers. At the Holden dealership we had to walk into the showroom and ask for assistance – even though they saw us looking at their top line commodores on the lot.
The Ford dealer we have bought from could not have been more attentive and helpful. This also adds to the Mondeo experience.
As I said, can’t wait to pick it up tomorrow, the only 2 things we argued about were the colour (he wanted black and I wanted Ambition Blue) and the personalised plate, which we still haven’t agreed on.
I got the Ambition Blue. Well it is my car.
What’s the point of the Mondeo? Just buy a Falcon – more powerful, larger towing capacity, better body.
Bavarian Missile, you’re absolutely brilliant! haha. i’ve read your comments before and loved them, but this article in particular is awesome! lol.
the fact is, im almost 17 and am lucky enough to have my dad in this industry. saying that, i have driven an XR5turbo mondeo from dads work (which my cousin then baught and i drive around today) and i got to drive an Aurion AT-X when it was my families hire car in port douglas, and let me tell you, Mondeo absolutely shreads it to bits!
i hated the Aurion… yeh, fair enough my ‘rents drive an MY07 sportivo and i love it, but i hated the Aurion. i love the mondeo, i think its brilliant, and im not being biased coz i am a ford fan – ITS A FACT!
quality and technology even – can’t compare the two.
good review CA.
I ordered my Modeo after doing 2 hard months of research, test driving, and dealership visits (every weekend, sometimes during the week in the arvo). I hate negotiating for cars, but I really like the Mondeo. Compared to others around, it met all of our needs.
I know no one cares about fuel consumption, but for an every day car it’s important to me. The engine in the XR5 is brilliant! It’s not nearly as quick as the focus XR5 if you want something to earn a ticket in, but it’s still very respectable and it sips the same amount of fuel as the 4 cyl. Mondeo.
We looked at everything from the Toyotas, Audi, Holden, BMW 1 series, Renault, and so on. For the list of features, build quality, fuel efficiency and price I challenge anyone to name a better mix, especially in a package that is pretty good on the eyes.
Are their faster (thirstier) cars? You betcha. Are there more luxurious? Yup…and my pa would love em. Cheaper? More expensive? yes and yes. The Mondeo definitely isn’t for everyone, but it hit my sweet spot dead centre. It’s the right price, with the right features, in the right sized package, with decent performance in a fairly frugal fuel sipper.
For whoever said the XR5 is trying to be a race car….uhm….no. I think you’ve missed what’s it’s about. The focus XR5 (with the same engine) is far quicker as are many other “hot hatch” type cars. That’s not the point at all. The turbo in the mondeo is just a way to put a bit more punch in a car to ensure that it’s not quite a motor head’s choice and quite the grampy sedan choice…but a happy medium for those of us who have to compromise.
hey dooby
thanks for your thoughts on the XR5 Mondeo – have you taken delivery yet? I am currently tossing up between it and the Focus XR5, which I just took for a test drive at lunch today. Love the sound of that sweet little engine and the punch from the line just brought a smile to my face every time I took off, unreal little car. But that’s just the thing, it’s small. I’m used to driving a Mazda6, so am struggling with the down-size, but am worried that the Xr5 engine isn’t quite as much ‘fun’ in the Mondeo as it is in the Focus. What do you reckon?
I have had my XR5 Mondeo now for about 13 months, it is still a good looking car and still turns head when I drive pass. The proformance of the engine is unbelieveably responsive. I have seen a couple more Mondeos on the road now but still not many. Everyone I talk to says that it is a great looking car
After a long and thorough search for a new family based car, I have just taken delivery of my new Mondeo XR5T..
I looked at a large range of cars including Mazda6(gutless) Subaru Liberty (GT way to $$$ & a bit small) Commodores & Falcons (I drive a VESS for work and know how good and how bad they are)
I even looked and really liked the SKodaOctavia RS but was put off by lack of dealers (something Skoda need to address if they are seriously in the Oz car market). The XR5T was top of the list. If you want a well built car with plently of go that handles superbly and looks great do your self a favor and drive one… I did and I’m hooked. I have never owned a Ford before, but if they keep making cars like this, it might be the start of a long association.
a Ford Falcon is a much better car than Mondeo, its a real car, rear wheel drive, big 4.0Liter six and not an inferior V6 or a I4 or I5, its a bix I6 and 4Liters or a big V8 at 5.4, or turbo 4.0. Falcon all the way.