The new Ford Mondeo ST-Line starts at £19,995, so is it worth the price? Well, reviews are finally coming in, and the new Mondeo’s attempt to marry sporty styling with everything drivers have always loved about the car seems to have created a pretty attractive package.
To go over the basics, the Mondeo ST-Line is part of Ford’s strategy to take established nameplates and add more distinct luxury and sport-focused trims – the sportier trim is the ST-Line X.
Both ST-Line versions boast sporting lines more akin to the Audi S line than anything else. The vehicle comes with sports suspension that is now slightly stiffer and 10mm lower than in standard Mondeo models. Models move on 18in Rock Metallic alloy wheels and boast a full body styling kit. Inside, sport styling continues – expect alloy pedals and red contrast stitching.
As you might expect, the Ford Mondeo ST-Line piles on the tech. Go for the Titanium to receive features such as a lane keeping aid, 10-way power driver’s seat, and traffic sign recognition. All-new features for 2018 include Active City Stop (autonomous emergency braking), satellite navigation as standard, and parking sensors at the front and rear.
As for power, you’ll have either a 148bhp or 178bhp 2.0 Duratorq TDCi diesel. Transmission options cover a six-speed manual transmission or PowerShift dual-clutch automatic. An available 178bhp diesel comes with all-wheel-drive and the dual-clutch automatic.
So, how does the Mondeo ST-Line actually feel behind the wheel? The first thing you’ll notice is some incredibly sharp steering. Whether you’re in the city or on the motorway, the Mondeo feels crisp and responsive, and noise is kept at bare minimum. The 178bph engine is outstanding, though it doesn’t feel quite as refined without the autobox.
As you soak up the compelling ride, comfortable sport seats provide ideal support, with a noticeably lower seating position providing a track-inspired sense of fun. Sure, the centre console isn’t particularly interesting with its grey-on-grey styling, but the cabin still feels nicely put together.
Perhaps the most attractive reason to buy a Mondeo is that prices have actually come down. For 2018, a massive £3,200 has been trimmed from the price of the ST-Line. And, because of the ST-Line’s excellent residuals, customers buying on PCP should get an ST-Line for lower monthly payments than even an entry-level Zetec.